Action Report of the LSM 203 on the Nasugbu Landing, Jan 1945

Transcription of an action report filed by the LSM ¹ 203 on the Nasugbu Landing of 31 January 1945. This is a declassified document² taken from the United States National Archives. It is an enclosure to the report filed by Commander of the LSM Flotilla 7.

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Historic documents relevant to the Province of Batangas.

USS LSM 203
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, Calif.

1 Feb., 1945

From:	The Commanding Officer LSM 203.
To:	The Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet.
Via:	(1) Commander Task Unit 78.2.4 (Commander LSM Flotilla Seven). (2) Commander Task Group 78.2. (3) Commander Task Force 78 (Commander SEVENTH Amphibious Force). (4) Commander SEVENTH Fleet.
Subject:	Action Report, Nasugbu, Luzon, Operation.
Reference:	(a) Article C74(C), U.S. Navy Regulations, 1920. (b) Com 7th. Phib. Conf. Ltr. FE25/A16-3(3). Ser. 0596 of 30 October, 1943.

PART I

January 31, 1945 operating in accordance with Commander Task Group 78.2 Operation Order No. 1-45 which was the Amphibious Landing of Nasugbu, Luzon. There was no enemy action encountered enroute. Destroyers formed the fire support group supplemented by LCI (G)³ and destroyer escorts. The Landing at the beach head was made with no opposition. After the LSM unit had beached, machine guns started strafing the beach position of this ship was on the left flank nearest the town⁴ of Wawa. All strafing came from that direction. Permission was obtained by this ship to open fire on emplacement from which machine gun fire seemed to originate. Fired into barn with 40mm. The fire ceased and it was supposed that guns were silenced. Shortly after order to cease firing, machine guns strafing started again. This ship opened fire again and all but blew up the barn. Then an LCI(G) moved in and began shelling the same place with 40mm shells. Later reports from army personnel on advanced patrol in that area revealed that there was a great number of enemy ground forces and machine guns located there. Practically all were killed. It is believed that this ship was largely responsible for their destruction. Only sporadic machine gun fire resulted after that, these coming from embankment on the point at Wawa. These were not taken under fire. Mortar fire was encountered while on beach also. Three mortars falling off the port side. Two on the beach and one in the water about 200 yards on the beam. No other enemy action was experienced during the four hours and seventeen minutes on beach.

PART II

January 27, 1945.

1715 Underway in accordance with Commander Task Group 78.2 Operation Order No. 1-45 with LCM in tow.

January 28, 1945.

0645 Went to General Quarters.
0730 Secured from General Quarters.

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USS LSM 203
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, Calif.

Cont.

Subject: Action Report, Nasugbu, Luzon, Operation.

PART 2 Cont.

1100 Went to general quarters. 1115 Secured from general quarters.
1845 Went to general quarters.
1950 Secured from general quarters.
0650 Went to general quarters.
0743 Secured from general quarters.
1855 Went to general quarters.
2015 Secured from general quarters.
0650 Went to general quarters.
0740 Secured from general quarters.
0745 Released LCM⁵.
1855 Went to general quarters.
2005 Secured from general quarters.
0900 Beach and this ship under machine gun fire.
0910 Commenced firing on enemy gun emplacement.
0923 Ceased firing to ascertain whether emplacement knocked out.
0927 Opened fire on emplacement again.
0931 Ceased fire.
0945 Mortar fire commenced on beach to left.
1257 Retracted from beach.
1320 Secured from beaching station.
1330 Underway from Nasugbu, Luzon to Mindoro.
1855 Went to general quarters.
1940 Secured from general quarters.
0630 Went to general quarters.
0745 Secured from general quarters.
1100 Anchored lower Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Is., Philippines.

PART 3.

Ordnance equipment functioned at a very high standard. 313 rounds of 40mm ammunition were expended with no casualties.

PART 4.

Battle damage to our own ship was negligible. Only damage done were dents along side from machine gun bullets. Not penetrated the skin of the ship. Hits made on conn did not damage. One piece of shrapnel almost penetrated the port ramp control space.

Enemy battle damage was an uncertain number of personnel killed or wounded and destruction of building.

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USS LSM 203
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, Calif.

1 Feb., 1945

Subject: Action Report, Nasugbu, Luzon, Operation.

Cont.

PART 5

It is recommended that a twin 40mm mount replace the single 40mm mount and an additional twin or single 40mm be mounted on the stern. It is also recommended that no vehicles be landed unless they are thoroughly waterproofed.

PART 6

Personnel were very cool and collected under fire. It is recommended that the crew of the 40mm gun be given a letter of commendation. The men are as follows:

Marshall, Frank L. Gilpin, James C. Payne, Harley E. Qualls, Kelly, R. Partin, John F. Ercon, Jack (n) Thompson, G. L.

GM2c S2c Slc Slc S2c Slc Flc

655-65.49 293 34 11 748 87 16 935 11 42 958 83 38 861 17 77 870 94 33

Gun Captain Trainer Pointer Loader Loader Loader Ammun. passer

Personnel casualties were limited to one man receiving burns and scratches from hot 40mm empty shell cases.

F. L. TOWNSLEY
Lt. USNR. Commanding

Advance Copy

[The succeeding three pages of this document are not transcribed as they merely contain forwarding cover letters of little substance.]

To view or download the original document, please refer to Item ² below under Notes and References.

Notes and references: