- Contributed by听
- jen_grandad
- People in story:听
- John D Sharples
- Location of story:听
- Beaches in France
- Background to story:听
- Royal Navy
- Article ID:听
- A2845163
- Contributed on:听
- 17 July 2004
With the publicity "D" Day I am reminded that i took part (a very small part) in that event 60 years ago in June.
I was a Sub Lieutenant on a Landing Ship (Tanks) -- LST 405. These were big landing ships with room for 30 Sherman tanks on the lower deck and a lift to enable lighter vehicles such as lorries and jeeps to park on the upper deck. There was also accommodation (bunks) for a number of soldiers -- drivers of the vehicles and others.
We were not supposed to beach because, once we did, we were stranded there for 11-12 hours until the next high tide lifted us off. There was what were called Rhino ferries which were like Meccano platforms with two outboard motors. They were tied up to our ramp and took as much of our cargo as they could carry and were supposed to beach, unload and float off again in the same tide. Unfortunately an on-shore wind blew them sideways on to the beach and they couldn't get off. Late on 鈥淒鈥 Day we were ordered to beach and, luckily, did not have any German planes attacking us while we were stuck on the shore. At the next high tide we floated off and returned to England to load up again and again. We brought back causalities on stretchers attached to staunchions on the tank deck. Three doctors in our crew attended to the wounded.
In due course a floating harbour was built at Arromanche which meant we could unload and return to England for further supplies straight away 鈥 an excellent invention.
As the invasion progressed we moved eastwards and took our loads to Ostend and, later, Antwerp.
When the war in Europe was over we were refitted for the Far East at Hoboken (near Antwerp). In Columbo we were loaded up for Singapore landings but the 鈥淗鈥 bomb was dropped before we had to invade Singapore and that ended the war.
The LST鈥檚 were Lease Lent by the Americans so we were required to return them to the Philippines Islands which were occupied by the Americans. We were then brought home in a white ensign trooper.
漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.
Recommended story
Story with photo