19 June, 1944

From: Commanding Officer, USS LCI (L) 91

To: The Secretary of the Navy

Via: (1) Commander Task Group 124.4
(2) Commander Task Group 124
(3) Commander Task Group 123
(4) Commander Task Group 122
(5) Commander Twelfth Fleet
(6) Commander in Chief, United States Fleet

Subject: Loss of ship - Report of
Reference: (a) Article 841 (3) U.S. Navy Regulations

1. The following report is submitted in accordance with reference (a).

2. The USS LCI (L) 91 departed from Weymouth, England, in company with Convoy Group One (0-1), Operation Neptune, late in the afternoon of 5 June, 1944. Approach to the Omaha Assault Area was made according to plan without eventful action. Departure was made from the Trans-port Area as scheduled and contact made with the Primary Control Vessel.

3. Upon approach to Dog White Beach it became evident that proposed markers for a cleared channel through the underwater obstructions had not been placed nor a channel cleared. A small break in the Element "C" was blocked by what appeared to be a sunken tank.

3. A beaching was made between units of Element "C" at the scheduled time, H-70, 0740 on 6 June, 1944, at the left center of Dog White Beach. Troops disembarked reluctantly over both ramps in the face of heavy enemy machine gun and rifle fire. A man rope had been led by a member of the ship's crew, from the ship through a maze of stakes each topped by a teller mine, to the beach.

5. The rapidly rising tide and slow departure of troops made it necessary to move the ship forward to keep grounded. About twenty minutes after grounding it was impossible to move farther forward without detonating mines on the stakes, so the ship was retracted. While doing so a teller mine on a stake at the port bow was exploded injuring a few soldiers and blowing a hole about two (2) feet in diameter in the bow just above the water line, but apparently causing no more serious damage to the ship.

6. After retracting, about sixty (60) of the original two hundred and one (201) troops were still on board so a signal was hoisted requesting assistance in unloading from LCVP's standing off shore. No such aid was forthcoming so a second beaching was made about one hundred (100) yards west of the first one, in an effort to get in beyond the obstructions.

7. A portion of the remaining troops had disembarked after the second beaching when a violent explosion occurred forward, immediately followed by a blast of flames. Within second the entire "well deck" was a mass of flames. Water pressure was inadequate to fight the flames. Small caliber enemy fire continued near the beach and intermittent "88" fire near the ship.

8. Because the fire could not be gotten under control to enable the ship to retract and because of the obvious damage to the hull and bulkheads, the order was given to abandon ship. Personnel disembarked over the side and proceeded in to the beach. A portion of the ship's crew were evacuated seaward in an LCS. All compartments except Troop Compartments Numbers One (1) and Two (2) which were ablaze, were checked to be sure everyone had been evacuated.

9. The original theory was that an "88" shell had penetrated the main deck above Number Two Troop Compartment, exploding in the fuel tanks below. Later investigation, however, supported the theory that mines had done the major damage. The hull was damaged beyond repair, the deck of Number Two (2) Troop Compartment completely blown up. With an incoming tide all compartments below the main deck and forward of the engine room flooded. All combustible equipment and gear in these compartments, in the house, and in the pilot house were destroyed by fire.

10. The salvage crew was making a survey of the material which might be taken from the engine room, Number Four (4) Troop Compartment, magazine, and steering engine room. The 20mm gun barrels, and commissary stores from the commissary locker had already been removed by unknown parties from the beach.

11. Orders for the Operation and classified communication publications were through in the fire. All other ship's records were consumed in the fire.

Arend Vyn, Jr., Lt.(jg) USCGR

Copies to: Commanding
Cominch (Via Air Mail)
Commander Group 29, LCI (L) Flotilla 10
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard via: Commander LCI (L) Flotilla 10