"Landing troops loading organisation for DDay?" Topic

The USA formed its infantry into special boat teams for the landings on DDay. The British Commandos also adopted a different organisation. Is there any evidence for British or Canadian infantry doing likewise?
Thanks
Andy

The British LCA landing craft was designed to hold a complete platoon, so there was no need for reorganisation.

The Commandos were landed from LCI(S) landing craft. That was quite a large vessel and each of those carried a complete Commando Troop. The Commandos weren't therefore reorganised to fit the landing craft. Their small sub-unit organisation was organised to reflect the sort of flexible, small-scale warfare they were created to fight, rather than the boats they were intended to use.

British LCAs also landed the US Rangers and large portions of the US infantry regiments landing on Omaha, so it would be interesting to know how they were organised. I'm guessing two LCAs per Ranger Company or Infantry Platoon?

Was just doing some reading on this subject as my father's brother landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day. He was with I Company, 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regt., 1st US Infantry Division.

I Company departed from troop ship Empire Anvil on 6 LCA. Each craft carried essentially half of a platoon that was fleshed out with extra bodies, equipment and weapons to form various weapons teams. I seem to recall that the Company HQ may have landed later on their own craft making a total of 7 boats for an Infantry company.

Strong current and smoke from brush fires on or near the beaches caused the Company I's LCA crews to approach the wrong area. I Company CO (Capt. Richmond) realized they were well off course and informed the crews who promptly change course. In the process 2 of the LCAs swamped and sank. Another, the one carrying my uncle, was hit by a mortar bomb and sank close to the beach. (He survived the sinking but was killed later on the beach.)

Jonathan Gawne's book "Spearheading D-Day" has loading diagrams of both the Assault Boat teams and the Support Boat teams. I believe these were the official versions but he does mention that some swapping and fudging occurred to these boatloads.

I know I saw renderings of the loading diagrams on the internet some time ago that gave credit to his book for the material. I bought the book and it is loaded with nuts and bolts info.

Yep I've got Spearheading its an excellent book. That's where I got the boat team organisations.

The Commandos were slightly reorganised for D-Day, more fitting for their assault role.

Yes a British Platoon would just about fit in an LCA, I just wondered if they were reorganised for a beach landing like the Americans.

I just remembered the 6 juin 1944 site. The Order of Battle and Landing Tables for the US forces are a lot easier to follow but the British infantry and commandos are listed as well. You can do some "reverse engineering" to get close to your desired info.

Sword Beach – 3rd Infantry Order of Battle:

link

Sword Beach – 3rd Infantry Division Landing Table:

link

Note that the Landing Table also includes the French & British No 4 Commando units and number and type of boats used.

Great , thanks zoneofcontrol, its interesting that the initial infantry are labelled as Assault Coys I wonder if this is just a term or indicates a different TOE.

IIRC, one company in each assault battalion was trained and equipped for assault pioneering tasks. This organisation was then mixed up, with each of the four rifle companies having assault pioneer trained personnel. I can't remember the fine details though, sorry.

That rings a bell, the US troops did load of pre invasion training and reorganisation for the invasion I cant see that the British did not also. Ive dozens of books but no mention and the US Boat teams wernt common knowledge until Gawnes work.