SECRET
[Declassified]
COMINCH P-006

AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS

INVASION OF NORTHERN FRANCE

WESTERN TASK FORCE

JUNE 1944

 

THIS PUBLICATION AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN MUST NOT FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY

 

UNITED STATES FLEET

Headquarters of the Commander In Chief


UNITED STATES FLEET
HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF
NAVY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.

21 October 1944.

This publication "Amphibious Operations" continues the series promulgating timely information drawn from action reports. It follows "Amphibious Operations, Excluding Marshall Islands Operations, Cominch P-004", and covers the invasion of Northern France.

Material contained herein has not been subjected to exhaustive study and analysis, but is issued in this form to make comments, recommendations, and expressions of opinion concerning war experiences readily available to officers engaged or interested in amphibious operations. It should be widely circulated among commissioned personnel.

This publication is classified as secret [declassified IAW DOD Dir 5200.9], non-registered. It shall be handled as prescribed by Article 76, U.S. Navy Regulations, 1920. When no longer required it shall be destroyed by burning. No report of destruction need be submitted.

This publication is under the cognizance of, and is distributed by the Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.

Transmission by Registered Guard Mail or U. S. registered mail is authorized in accordance with Article 76 (15) (e) and (f), U.S. Navy Regulations.

/s/ C. M. Cooke Jr.

C. M. COOKE Jr.,
Chief of Staff.

--i--

SECRET

DISTRIBUTION LIST FOR COMINCH P-006

Standard Navy Distribution List No. 26 (15 Sept. 1944)
List 1 a(1) less Cominch, b(1), c(1) less ComFairShipLant and ComFairShipPac, d(1), e(1), g(1), ComPhibPac(3), ComThirdPhib(3), ComSeventhPhib(2), ComTrComPhipPac(10), ComTrComPhibLant(35); h(1) less ServLant, ServPac; 1(1) less ComNorWesSecWesSeaFron, ComNorValifSecComSec#117, ComSurEsGroupESF; j(1), k only to COTCLant (1), COTCPac(3), CO Pre-ComTrCen, COTCPac(6); 1 only to Chief of Staff to CinC (1).
List 2 a-3(1), a-8 FairWings only(1), a-15 only to Fleet Aircraft Rec. Unit(1); a-16 only to ComUtWingServ(1); e(1), f(1), g(1) less DesCortShakedownGr; m(1) less LST Div, LCT Groups; n(1) MinRons only; w(1).
List 3 a(1), b-1(1), d(1), f(1), h(1), i(1), j(1), k(1), s(1), u(1), v-1(1), x(1), aa(1), ii(1), qq(1), rr(1), uu(1).
List B-3 CinC Constr. Brigades only (1).
 
Standard Navy Distribution List No. 28 (1 October 1944)
List 4 a(1), f(1), h(1), i(1), j(1), k(1), u(1), v-1(1), x(1), ii(1), qq(1), rr(1), uu(1).
List 6 a(1) less 17 NavDist Rep, SRNC, PRNC, SDG; b only to CNAOpTra Jacksonville, Fla(25), CNATra Pensa. Fla(1); c(1).
List 7 a(1) less Nyd Navy #128, Nav DD; d(1) only to Continental Air Centers; e(1), f(5), g(30), USNA only; h(5), i(2) only to NavTraSta Newport, R.I.
List 11 SecNav(3), UnderSecNav(1), ChrmGenBd(2), InsGen(1), BuAero(5), BuPers(10), BuOrd(5), BuShips(5), BuY&D(5), USMC(900), USCG(3).
  Plus Special Distribution.

Numbers in parentheses indicate number of copies sent to each addressee.

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CONTENTS

Chapter I - NARRATIVE Page
  Report of Assault Force "O" 1-2
  Chart Showing Location of Omaha and Utah Beaches 1-3
  Composition of Forces 1-4
  Summary of Losses 1-6
  Report of Assault Force "U" 1-8
  Composition of Forces 1-10
  Summary of Loses 1-14
  Plans and Planning 1-15
  Report of Western Task Force 1-15
  Report of Assault Force "O" 1-16
  Training 1-19
  Report of Western Task Force 1-19
  Report of Assault Force "O" 1-20
  Weather 1-21
  Covering Forces 1-22
Chapter II - NAVAL GUNFIRE Page
  Report of Western Task Force 2-1
  Report of Assault Force "O" 2-2
  Report of Assault Force "U" 2-8
  Pointe Du Hoe Landing 2-10
  Battleships 2-12
  Destroyers 2-13
  Accuracy of Naval Gunfire 2-19
  Gunfire Support Craft 2-19
  Problems of Close Support 2-21
  Preparation Fires, Not Sufficient 2-27
  German Viewpoint on Naval Gunfire 2-28
Chapter III - AIR SUPPORT Page
  Report of Western Task Force 3-1
  Air Support Organization 3-1
  Naval Doctrine on Air Support Organization 3-2
  Anti-Aircraft Fire Discipline 3-3
  Daily Summary D-1 Through D+4 3-5
  Control of Support Aircraft 3-7
  Report of Assault Force "O" 3-8
  Naval Doctrine for Delivery of Air Support 3-9
  Report of Assault Force "U" 3-10
Chapter IV - SHIP TO SHORE MOVEMENT Page
  Omaha Beach 4-1
  Time of "H" Hour 4-3
  Underwater Demolition 4-4
  Utah Beach 4-12
  Control of Ship to Shore Movement 4-15
  Authority and Responsibility of Control Vessels 4-17
  Gunfire Support for Underwater Demolition Teams 4-18
  Minesweeping 4-18
  LSTs 4-22
  Small Craft 4-23
  DD Tanks 4-26
  Order of Landing 4-28
Chapter V - LOGISTICS Page
  Report of Western Task Force 5-1
  Number of Naval Personnel in Western Task Force 5-2
  Report of Assault Force "U" 5-2
  Permanency of Organizations 5-4
  Summary of Personnel Vehicles Supplies - Utah 5-7
  Report of Assault Force "O" 5-8
  Unloading by Priorities During Assault Phase 5-11
  Artificial Harbor Project 5-17
  Effect of the Storm 5-17
  Description of Artificial Harbor Equipment 5-21
  Caisson Breakwater Elements 5-23
  Floating Pier Roadway 5-24
  Floating Breakwater Elements 5-25
  Shore Party 5-28
  Lack of Coordination in Unloading 5-28
  Small Landing Craft vs. DUKWS in Unloading 5-29
  Salvage 5-30
  Summary of Damage 5-34
  Medical 5-35
  Joint Evacuation Plans 5-35
  Evacuation Totals, Utah Beach 5-37
  Evacuation Totals, Omaha Beach 5-39
Chapter VI - COMMUNICATIONS Page
  Report of Assault Force "U" 6-1
  Publications 6-2
  Traffic 6-3
  Report of Assault Force "O" 6-4
  Frequency Assignments 6-5
  Jamming Equipment 6-7
  Cryptographic Channels 6-9
  Post Assault Communications 6-12
  Recommendations and Comments 6-18
  Shore Fire Control Party Communications 6-20
  Countermeasures 6-21
  Security 6-22
Chapter VII - LANDING CRAFT Page
  Report of Assault Force "O" 7-1
  Drying out of LSTs 7-1
  Performance of LCT(6) 7-1
  DUKWs 7-2
  Eliminating Manhandling of Supplies 7-2
  Rhino Ferries 7-3
  LCC(S) 7-3
  Lighters 7-3
  LCT(A) 7-4


LIST OF EFFECTIVE PAGES

  Page
Promulgating Letter i
Distribution List ii
Table of Contents iii-v inclusive
Chapter I 1-1 to 1-23 inclusive
Chapter II 2-1 to 2-28 inclusive
Chapter III 3-1 to 3-11 inclusive
Chapter IV 4-1 to 4-28 inclusive
Chapter V 5-1 to 5-40 inclusive
Chapter VI 6-1 to 6-22 inclusive
Chapter VII 7-1 to 7-4 inclusive



Transcribed and formatted by Rick Pitz for the HyperWar Foundation