Action Report of COM-LCI(L) Group 44 on the Nasugbu Operation, Jan 1945

Transcription of an action report related to the 31 January 1945 Nasugbu Landing Operation from the LCI(L)¹ Command Group 44. This is a declassified document² taken from the United States National Archives. It is part of a group of reports filed by LCI(L) Group 44.

Historic documents relevant to the Province of Batangas.

[p. 1]

Gr.44/A16-3(3) Serial 06

Commander LCI(L) Group 44 Flotilla Fifteen c/o Fleet Post Office San Francisco, Calif.

CONFIDENTIAL

14 February 1945

From:	Commander LCI(L) Group FORTY-FOUR.
To:	Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via:	(1) Commander Task Unit 78.2.2 (Commander LCI(L) Flotilla Fifteen). (2) Commander Task Group 78.2 (Commander Amphibious Group Eight). (3) Commander Task Force 78 (Commander SEVENTH Amphibious Force). (4) Commander SEVENTH Fleet.
Subject:	Action Report – Nasugbu Operation.
Reference:	(a) Article 874(6) U.S. Navy Regulations 1920. (b) Com7thPhib conf. ltr. serial 0212 of 17 February 1944. (c) Alnav 215 of December 1944.
Enclosure:	(A) Action Reports of LCI(L)s 683, 963, 976, 977, 978, 981, 1015 and 1021.

PART I

Subject operation was conducted in accordance with Commander Amphibious Group EIGHT Operation Plan 1-45. He was designated as Commander [text blacked out] Attack Group 78.2, and this command was designated as Commander of Wave #3 in Task Unit 78.2.3, which was a sub-unit of Transport Unit 78.2.1 under Commander LCI(L) Flotilla FIFTEEN. Wave #3 consisted of LCIs 978 (Flagship) 1064, 685, 683, 976, 981, 1021, 963, 977 and 1015. Task Group 78.2 also included four APDs³, 24 other LCIs, eight LSMs⁴, six LSTs⁵, 20 LCI rocket and mortar ships and gunboats, five control vessels, five DDs⁶, three DEs⁷ and six YSMs⁸. Group flag was in USS Spencer. Mission was to land assault troops of the 11^th Airborne Division at NASUGBU, southwestern LUZON, P.I. Troops and equipment were loaded at LEYTE and a rehearsal staged there by the APD boats and Wave #3 LCIs. The Task Group voyaged through Surigao Strait and northward to the west of PANAY and MINDORO Islands, and arrived in the objective area without incident. The landing and return to MINDORO likewise were accomplished without enemy encounters so far as Task Unit 78.2.3 was concerned.

PART II

Wave #3 beached at Tarraguna, LEYTE, P.Is., at 0930 on 26 January 1945 and embarked elements of the 188^th Regimental Combat Team, 11^th Airborne Division. Ships anchored off beach upon completion of loading.

[p. 2]

Gr.44/A16-3(3) Serial 06

Commander LCI(L) Group 44 Flotilla Fifteen c/o Fleet Post Office San Francisco, Calif.

CONFIDENTIAL

14 February 1945

Subject: Action Report – Nasugbu Operation.

Wave #3 got underway at 0630 on 27 January and formed astern of USS Spencer and APD unit in rehearsal of approach to assault beach. Wave #3 beached on schedule at 1038, troops disembarked and re-embarked. Departed LEYTE in Task Group 78.2 formation at 1730. Arrived in objective area and deployed at 0620 on 31 January. Wave #3 beached on scheduled at 0825, approaching in two columns of five LCIs each, 978 and 981 leading, executing line of bearing 135 to right and left upon crossing line of departure. Troops disembarked and ships retracted and hove to. At 1300 Task Unit 78.2.1 and Task Unit 78.2.4 formed up and proceeded to Mindoro, arriving at 0730 on 1 February 1945. On 4 February LCIs of Wave #3, with 1075 substituted for 1064 and 609 added, embarked elements of the 19^th Regimental Combat Team 24^th Division, at MINDORO and transported them to NASUGBU as part of Task Unit 78.2.12. Disembarked at NASUGBU 5 February and arrived MINDORO 6 February. LCIs 685 and 1064 were detached on 8 February, and their action reports have not been received.

PART III

No ammunition expended.

PART IV

No battle damage suffered by this unit or observed.

PART V

Rehearsal was staged under conditions of haste and some confusion. Approach lane to rehearsal beach was crowded with LCTs and Army FS⁹ at anchor, but it would be desirable to designate a rehearsal beach well removed from the loading area, and to keep the rehearsal area clear of other shipping.

PART VI

Personnel performance in Wave #3 was generally satisfactory. Rocket smoke hanging over the assault beach made it difficult to judge distance. Two ships let go stern anchors too far off the beach; one lost anchor and cable, while the other stopped, retrieved her anchor and made a second approach. A third ship inadvertently failed to let go her anchor, but retracted successfully.

PERRY C. HILL Jr.

Advance copy to CominCh

To view or download the original document, please refer to Item ² below under Notes and References.

Notes and references: