Action Report of LCI(R) 331 on the Nasugbu Landing, Jan 1945
 |
| Historic documents relevant to the Province of Batangas. |
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
| CONFIDENTIAL | 3 February 1945 |
| From: | Commanding Officer. |
| To: | Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet. |
| Via: |
Commander Task Unit 78.2.6 Commander Task Group 78.2 |
| Subject: |
Commander Task Force 78 (Commander SEVENTH Amphibious Force) |
| Reference: |
Commander SEVENTH Fleet Action ReportNASUGBU Operation (a) Art. 974(6), U.S. Naval Regulations, 1920.(b) Com7thPhib Ltr., Ser. 0212, dated 17 Feb. 1944 (c) Commander Amphibious Group EIGHT, Operation Plan 1-45. |
1. This ship participated in the Amphibious landings of the [blacked out] Attack Group (TG 78.2) at NASUGBU, Luzon, Philippine Islands on 31 January 1945 in accordance with reference (c). Included with this ship in the Support Unit (TU 78.2.6) were LCI(R)’s 73(F), 34 and 74 and LCI Mortar Ships and Gunboats. The mission of this unit was to provide close support for the troops making the initial landing. A rocket bombardment of the left flank of the beachhead was the specific mission of this ship. This mission was carried out. No enemy fire was observed.
2. The Following is a chronological order of the events of X-RAY-day, 31 January 1945:
|
0614 0715 0800 0808 0812 0830 1535 |
Deploy; proceeding to Line of Departure, 3000 yards off Red Beach. In station at Line of Departure 100 yards outside left flank. LCI(R)’s 351, 73(F), 34 and 74 in line with 300 yard interval. LCI(G)'s3 558 and 561 outboard on left flank. Underway for Rocket bombardment, Course 080°T., Speed 7 knots; LCPR’s4 of the first wave following at 100 yards. LCI(R) 73 fired range rocket followed shortly by first salvoes. Commence firing rocket salvoes at 10 second intervals to obtain a penetration of the beach of 500 yards. LCI(G)’s supported the approach with 40MM fire and by giving ranges. Completed rocket bombardment; commenced to strafe beach; retiring from beach. Lying to off Nasugbu Point waiting for further orders. Anchored in inner screen off Red Beach. |
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
| CONFIDENTIAL | 3 February 1945 |
| Subject | Action Report — Nasugbu Operation |
3. All the Ordnance equipment performed satisfactorily. There were no jams or casualties. Although all contacts of the rocket launchers had been checked and other tests made prior to the operation, there were still seventy racks which failed to fire. The tail of one rocket caught in the rack after it had been fired.
Ammunition expended:
|
Barrage Rockets 40MM 20MM 50 Cal. |
400 131 rounds 160 rounds 540 rounds |
4. This ship incurred no battle damage.
5. The range finding confusion of previous operations was eliminated by the LCI Gunboats giving the ranges and by having only one ship fire range rockets. Accurate fire was thus obtained. Individual rocket ships should nevertheless be provided with some means of finding the range in order to prevent the confusion which has resulted before on the large operations.
6. The performance of the crew of this ship was courageous as in past operations. There were no injuries or casualties.
Lt. (jg), USNR
ComLCIFlot7
ComLCSFlot1
ComLCGr20
2 “LCI(R)-331 - Rep of ops In the amphibious assault landing at Nasugbu, Luzon Is, Philippines on 1/31/45,” online at the United States National Archives.
3 LCI(G) stands for Landing Craft (Gunboat). Wikipedia, op. cit.
4 LCPR stands for “Landing Craft, Personnel (Ramp),” online at History of War.