Transcription of the September 1945 War Diary of LSM Group 3, United States Navy

1 October 1945

C O N F I D E N T I A L

cc: ComLSTFlot,
    ComLSTGroup,

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C O N F I D E N T I A L

1 September 1945.

Commander LSM Group THREE on board USS LSM 163, Group Flagship, at Leyte, Philippine Islands. Under operational control of ComAdCom, PhibsPac - Philippines.

The following is the status of other LSM Group THREE ships, so far as is known by this command:

The following LSM's are temporarily attached and their status is as indicated:

Neither the Group Commander nor his flagship have received any information concerning possible future movements.

2 September 1945.

LSM's 152, 272 and 273 completed repairs.

The following LSM's were alerted for 6 September: 152, 272, 273, 430 and 453.

It will be noted that only the flagship, LSM 163, has not received an alert.

LSM 230 damaged starboard screw on a submerged object when retracting from San Antonio beach with liberty parties of group. She was granted availability.

This is V-J Day according to radio broadcasts. Pyrotechnics show at night.

C O N F I D E N T I A L

3 September 1945.

Because of probable separation of the Group THREE flagship from the other group THREE ships, all staff officers and enlisted personnel (with the exception of the Engineering & Material Officer) were transferred from LSM's 147 and 273 to LSM 163.

Received despatch orders from ComLSMFlot 14 to transfer LSM's 147, 154, 158, 159, 160, 165, 230 and 395 to the control of ComLSM Group EIGHT.

LSM 230 reported repairs completed.

4 September 1945.

ComLSMFlot 14's despatch 040948 directed this command to transfer LSM 152 to the control of ComLSMGroup 36 and LSM's 272, 273, 430 and 453 to the control of ComLSMGroup 44.

AdComPhibsPac - Philippines, despatch 041158 directed ComLSMGroup THREE, in LSM 163, to report RFS to ComLSMGroup EIGHT prior to 0800 Item, 5 September, as a substitute for LSM 175.

It is possible this substitution was made in order to keep ComLSMGroup THREE with the five group THREE ships already transferred to ComLSMGroup EIGHT. (It should be noted that one other Group THREE ship had been transferred to ComLSMGroup 36 and another to ComLSMGroup 44).

5 September 1945.

Task unit 13.13.7 underway at 1300 for Batangas Bay, Luzon. ComLSMGroup EIGHT is OTC, with 27 LSM's in company. These include the following Group THREE ships: 147, 154, 158, 159, 163 and 165. ComLSMGroup THREE in LSM 163, without duties in connection with convoy.

6 September 1945.

Task Unit 13.13.7 anchored at north end of Batangas Bay, Luzon about 1600 Item. Task unit dissolved.

7 September 1945.

All LSM's got underway at 0900 on orders of ComLSMGroup EIGHT and proceeded to Balayan Bay. Anchored off Lemery at 1116 Item.

At 1400 Item ship commenced beaching and loading of 14th Army Corps equipment.

8 September 1945.

Loading at Lemery, Balayan Bay, Luzon, as before.

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C O N F I D E N T I A L

9 September 1945.

Loading of all ships completed. LSM's 163 (Group THREE Flagship) reported a split seam in the plating under the engine room. LSM 184 reported a screw damaged and stern anchor lost. ComLSTFlot 31 (SOPA at Batangas) decided to have LSM 163 unload at Taloga Beach in Batangas Bay and proceed with LSM 184 (not to be unloaded because of loss of stern anchor) to Subic Bay for repairs.

All ships proceeded on orders of ComLSMGroup EIGHT, at 1000 Item, to Batangas Bay. On arrival off Taloga Beach LSM 163 was ordered to lie off beach until called in by beachmaster.

At 1915 Item LSM 163 beached and commenced discharging her cargo. At 2058 completed unloading and anchored off beach at 2140 Item.

10 September 1945.

At 0815 Item LSM 163 (Group THREE flagship) proceeded to anchorage in upper bay and moored alongside LSM 184.

ComLSMGroup THREE received despatch orders from ComLSTFlot 31 to proceed at 1800 item with LSM's 163 and 184 to Subic to accomplish repairs.

LSM 163 got underway at 1800 with LSM 184 in tow. Due to the probability of heavy weather and the fact that LSM 184 was unable to use her starboard engine, towing was considered by ComLSMGroup THREE to be advisable. LSM 184 assisted with her port engine. Proceeding to Subic Bay in accordance with routing prescribed by Port Director Batangas. Rough sea and fresh to strong westerly winds prevailed during night.

11 September 1945.

At 0808 LSM 163, with LSM 184 in tow entered Subic net gate. At 0815 cast off tow and ships proceeded independently into inner harbor.

Both LSM's entered drydock for repairs.

12 September 1945.

Repairs to LSM's 163 and 184 proceeding.

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C O N F I D E N T I A L

13 September 1945.

Repairs having been completed, LSM's 163 and 184 got underway about 1830 Item and proceeded to Batangas Bay in accordance with orders from ComPhibGroup NINE. Routing in accordance with instructions from Port Director Subic.

14 September 1945.

LSM's 163 and 184 anchored off Batangas, Luzon, about 0750 Item.

The following LSM's received orders to beach at Cota Beach at 1730 Item: 23, 34, 163, 315 and 325. ComLSMGroup THREE was designated OTC of beaching operations.

At 1730 Item it was found that the tide was too low for successful beaching and by authority of ComLSTFlot 31 beaching was postponed until daylight the following day.

15 September 1945.

At 0630 Item LSM's 23, 34, 163, 315 and 325 beached at Cota Beach, Batangas Bay and commenced receiving vehicles and personnel of the 11th Army Corps.

During the day LSM 7 reported to ComLSMGroup THREE that she had arrived loaded and had been assigned to his control.

LSM 163 completed loading at 1815 Item and retracted at 1847 anchoring off the beach. The other ships retracted during the night as loading was completed.

16 September 1945.

At 0300 LSM 23 proceeded to Talaga Beach to assist two LST's off that beach. Returned to anchorage on completion of mission.

In accordance with ComLSTFlot 31 despatch 160112, ComLSMGroup THREE in LSM 163, got underway for Manila with LSM's, 7, 23, 34, 315 and 325 at 1800. Routing by Port Director Batangas. (ComLSTFlot 31 referred to ComPhibGroup NINE's 151255 in his despatch).

17 September 1945.

At 0835 LSM's 7, 23, 34, 163, 315 and 325 anchored in Manila Bay, in berths assigned by Port Director.

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C O N F I D E N T I A L

18-19 September 1945.

LSM 184 arrived and reported on the 18th, she having remained at Batangas to receive a new stern anchor.

Seven LSM's under temporary control of ComLSMGroup THREE anchored off Manila. Proceeding with liberty and logistics.

Although every effort was made by the Group Staff to obtain provisions at Manila, little was accomplished. Flour and eggs were the only items of those needed which could be obtained. To make arrangements for these items it was necessary to take the Group Flagship alongside various service force ships, as very little information could be obtained by visual or radio dispatch. Lack of a seaworthy boat was a handicap because of the distances involved and the rough water.

The shore facilities were most cooperative in providing an LCM each day for liberty parties and mail trips.

20 September 1945.

At 0600 Item 18 LSM's got underway for Yokohama - Yokasuka area. Movement order ComPhibGroup NINE No. A909-45. Task Unit 33.2.8 LSM Echelon Dog, OTC, Commander TODD in DD-425. ComLSMFlot 14 in LSM 396 is second in command. ComLSMGroup THREE and ComLSMGroup SIX each assigned a division of 6 ships.

21-26 September 1945.

ComLSMGroup THREE in LSM 163 enroute Manila to Japan with 6 LSM's assigned as division THREE of an 18 LSM convoy. LSM's in Division THREE: 163, 316, 325, 347, 471 and 477.

27 September 1945.

Convoy arrived at Yokohama and anchored inside breakwater in Landing Ship Area No. 1 about 1015 Item.

About 1430 orders were received from ComLSMFlot 14 for ships to proceed to beach at Landing #18, Yokohama, at 10-minute intervals. All ships of the Task Unit had completed beaching by dark and discharging of cargo proceeded. Ships remained at beach overnight.

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