Page 6

- 2 -

Our L.C.T. was towing a fast motor launch to save fuel. Three times
before nightfall the towing cable snapped with the strain of the constant
buffeting of the waves. In the end it was cast adrift to come along under
its own power. It was almost dark before we finally said the land was out of
sight.

June 5th/June 6th -

(I spent the night in a hammock (naval pattern) up on the bridge of the LCT
out in the open and was it cold! No lights could be seen anywhere. Peering
in the darkness from the bridge of the L.C.T. one would have imagined one
[crossed out] [illegible] [end crossed out] alone under the sky.)

June 6th - The long, uncomfortable night came to an end at 0430 when
preparations were made for the "run-in" shoot. Blankets stowed away, a hasty
breakfast snatched for those capable to eating ammo prepared and guns
checked. Wireless silence which had been maintained for more than 10 days
was broken at 0530 as sets were switched on and communications checked.
By now it was light enough to see the most amazing sight. The sea was
literally alive with ships of all shapes and sizes as far as the eye could
see in any direction. Just ahead were the small L.C.A.’s of the 7 Green
Howards and on either side were long lines of D.V.K.W.s, all heading in the
same direction, all intent on the strip of beach still out of sight.
The "run-in" shoot began at 0645 hrs. while our L.C.T. was still 7 miles from
the coast. It was the signal also for the Navy to open up. Fast destroyers
racedpast the L.C.T.s firing their guns at the coast and even drowning the
noise of our own guns temporarily.
H-hour was 0720 hrs. After the "run-in" shoot, we steamed up and down
with the other L.C.T.'s waiting our turn to land. Our L.C.T. was in the
second half of the Regiment to land and by the time (0845 hrs.) [insert] we [end insert] were due to
land it was getting difficult to find a chear spot on the beach. The strong
wind and tide had made the first boats ground almost sideways to the coast
instead of head in and far too much of the beach was covered by ship’s sides.
Also boats which should have pulled away after unloading had been damaged
or stuck and the beach was fast becoming jammed.