Action Report of COM-LCI(L) Group 44 on the Nasugbu Operation, Jan 1945 - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore Action Report of COM-LCI(L) Group 44 on the Nasugbu Operation, Jan 1945 - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore

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
Historic documents relevant to the Province of Batangas.
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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 11th 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 188th Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. Ships anchored off beach upon completion of loading.
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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 19th Regimental Combat Team 24th 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:
1 LCI (L) stands for Landing Craft Infantry (Large). “Glossary of U.S. Naval Abbreviations – L,” online at Ibiblio.org.
2COM LCI(L) GR 44 - Rep of ops In the assault landing on 1/31/45 & resupply landing on 2/5/45 at Nasugbu, Luzon Is, Philippines,” online at the United States National Archives.
3 APD stands for High Speed Transport Destroyer. “Glossary of U.S. Naval Abbreviations – A,” online at Ibiblio.org.
4 LSM stands for Landing Ship, Medium. “Glossary of U.S. Naval Abbreviations – L,” online at Ibiblio.org.
5 LST stands for “Landing Ship, Tank,” Wikipedia.
6 DD stands for Destroyer. “Glossary of U.S. Naval Abbreviations – D,” online at Ibiblio.org.
7 DE stands for Destroyer Escort. Glossary – D, ibid.
8 YSM stands for District Motor Mine Sweeper. “Glossary of U.S. Naval Abbreviations, Y,” online at Ibiblio.org.
9 FS means Freight and Supply. “List of ships of the United States Army,” Wikipedia.
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