2413
LCT 590, a transaction report
(After Action Report)
The LCT (Mark6) N°590 was one of the 8 LCTs that discharged the 32 Sherman DD tanks of the 743rd Tank Batallon to the beaches of Vierville.
It was placed most west of the series, it hit land a little east of the descent of Vierville, in fact according to the photos 250 m east of the descent, at the exact time H.
"Tuesday 6 June 1944
03:30 - Reached the mooring zon (10 miles off Omaha Beach), and began to descend the dredged channel to the beach. (we are the) last ship in line of 8.
05:00 - Received the message that tanks should be driven to the beach, due to weather conditions.
05:30 - The column turns 90° to the left.
05:45 - All ships turn together from 90° to the right and head towards the beach.
06:30 - Touched the beach, with shells falling all around continuously.
06:30 / 06:34 - Held on the beach for the tanks to come out. We're bombarded by shore artillery and machine gun fire. Turned the fire with our 20mm gun and the head tank machine gun.
06:34 - Last tank left, we withdraw from the beach.
Results of the enemy fire:
Killed in combat: 3 sailors (names and ranks cited)
Injured in combat: 2 sailors (names and ranks cited), placed on PA28 (USS Caroll) (a large LSI transport, then wet in the anchorage zone)
2 army men also injured, placed on PA28 (USS Caroll)
(signed):
Ensign R.B. Gilfert, USS LCT 6 Officer(6) 590
The damage suffered by LCT 590 led to his replacement on his next mission, which was to see him take on various vehicles carried by the USS "Charles Caroll" and unload them on the same Dog Green beach for H+225 or 10:15. The LCT 536 was designated for this shuttle.
