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In the Final Assembly for operation Neptune
LCT1164 is recorded as part of the 23rd Flotilla of Lt Comm E N Langleys 'D' Squadron
Dads notes and memories of LCT 1164
Officer in charge - unknown,
Crew - M Robinson LS and Coxswain,
Petty Officer - R Cooper,
Sig – W Hodge,
AB's, D Edwards, S Coyle AA3, G Dolke AA3 (Cockney), A Bowden AB, G Lewis W/M (Cook), S Dagnell STO-I, C Tucket STO-II, S Rodger AB, E Hall AB.
We left Southampton for Sword Beach on the morning of D-Day in a great Armada of small LCT's etc landing scheduled for approx 7am. All going well as I recall till we were near to beaching then it was every boat for himself. Full speed to beach down ramp and off they went up to their waist in water, one track personnel carriers and soldiers who I think were the 51st Div.
Then - we were hit by something a mine or a shell from where? We salvaged what we could from the boat including a jar of rum. Officer in charge was nowhere to be seen so we reported to the beach master where we helped with some wounded soldiers. I seem to remember Lord Lovat arriving preceded by his personal Piper.
Next day we got a lift back to Southampton on an LSI with wounded soldiers. Took the train to Westcliffe and report to whoever.
LCT 1164 this was a Mark VI Type
- Displacement: 309 tons (landing)
- Length: 119'
- Beam: 32'
- Draft: 3'7" forward, 4' aft (landing)
- Speed: 8 knots
- Armament: 2 20mm
- Complement: 1 officer, 12 enlisted
- Capacity: 4 medium or 3 50-ton tanks; or 150 tons cargo; accommodations for 8 troops
- 3 Gray 225 hp diesels; triple screws
- It was built by Bison S.B. Corp., Buffalo, N.Y, keel was laid 24th May 1944, launched on 1st June and delivered on 7th June 1944
LCT -- Landing Craft, Tank MK 6
The above information and lots more including pictures can be seen at ww2lct.org/history/history.htm
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Dad’s War
