Action Report of LCI(G) 580 on the Nasugbu Invasion, Jan 1945

Transcription of an action report on the 31 January 1945 Nasugbu invasion from the LCI(G)¹ 580. This is a declassified document² taken from the United States National Archives.

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Historic documents relevant to the Province of Batangas.

USS LCI(G) 580
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

2 February 1945

C O N F I D E N T I A L

From:	Commanding Officer, USS LCI(G) 580
To:	Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet.
Via:	(1) Commander Task Unit 78.2.6 (2) Commander Task Group 78.6 (3) Commander Task Force 78 (4) Commander Seventh Fleet (5) CinC SWPA
Copies:	Three to Cincpac One to Commander LCI Flotilla Six.
Subject:	Action Report, Nasugbu Invasion, 31 January 1945.

1. This ship participated in in the initial assault of Nasugbu Bay, Luzon, P.I. on 31 January 1945 as part of the LCI(G) division of the Task Unit 78.2.6.

2. We departed Leyte, P.I. at 1700 on 27 January 1945 and reached the objective area at 0630 31 January 1945.

3. At 0700 our port quad of main engines developed an air lock in the fuel line and went out of order. This was repaired immediately and at 0715, we were en route to the line of departure. At 0745, we were on station on the line of departure.

4. At 0800, we proceeded toward the beach on course 080° proceeding the first wave of assault troops in LCPR’s³. At 0808, we opened fire with 40mm and 0809 with 20mm. At 0811, we fired rocket salvo. At 0813, we resumed machine gun fire. At 0814, we ceased fire and turned away from beach to starboard.

Ammo expended:

Rockets 26 rounds. 40mm 408 rounds. 20mm 420 rounds.

5. At 0820, we took station off Dagatan town waiting signal to open fire in accordance with previous instructions. We remained at this station until 1500, fire was not called for, at at 1500, we proceeded to rendezvous point four miles east of Fortune Island pursuant to orders.

ENC. (K).

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Subject: Action Report, Nasugbu Invasion, 31 January 1945. (Continued)

6. At 1637, we anchored 1500 yards off Nasugbu beach, forming part of the inner screen to protect beachhead, and LSTs⁴ which were unloading, from threatened enemy boat attacks. We remained in this position until 0300, 2 February 1945, at which time we got underway for departure.

7. Rockets: Although we had 288 rockets loaded and ordered to fire 150, we were able to fire only 26. Recently, on 9 January 1945 at Lingayen, we had a similar experience and in my action report covering that operation, the difficulty was attributed to electrical failure. Just prior to the Lingayen operation, we conducted a test fire which was satisfactory. Upon return to Leyte, we completely checked our wiring and found all in satisfactory condition on 30 January 1945, just prior to this operation. It is therefore my present conclusion that the fault may be in the rocket motors themselves. Permission to test fire on the return voyage has been requested and an inspection of rocket motors and of our firing system and equipment will be requested at the first opportunity.

8. Mechanical failures: Our gyro compass, S08 Radar and one bilge pump were out of order throughout the operation. 808 radios are not operating dependably.

9. No casualties to ship or personnel.

10. All hands performed with credit.

[Sgd.] E.S. Smith Lt. USNR
Commanding Officer

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ENC. (K).

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Notes and references: