Lt. Jack Anderson's Diary Aboard LCI(L) 311
This diary, written by Lt. J. Anderson, R.C.N.V.R., during the D-Day landings, was discovered in a locker aboard LCI(L) 311 by Jock Menzies of New Zealand when he purchased 3 former LCI(L)s (Landing Craft, Infantry - Large) from Harland and Wolf Shipyards in Belfast, Ireland in September or October of 1944. Records indicate the Skipper of LCI(L) 311 was Lt. David J. Lewis, R.C.N.V.R., who later created, with the help of others, a rare book re Canadians in Combined Ops entitled St. Nazaire to Singapore: The Canadian Amphibious War, 1941 - 1945 (Volume 1).
LCI(L) - 311 "DIARY" By Lt. J. Anderson
On Wednesday, June 14 (D+8, or 8 days after D-Day), Jack Anderson reports he "went ashore about noon and walked about 3 miles inland." He noticed that the locals were coming out of hiding and showed no big signs of enthusiasm. They just went back to their work. He was turned around by an M.P. so returned to the ship, where he met Ian Barclay who had returned from Bayeux "where he had a haircut and shampoo" and bought souvenirs. "He says there is no shortage of luxury goods... all the stores seem well stocked."
LCI(L) 311 reported to "Albrighton" and learned they were to carry Lt. Cdr. Britton, R.N.V.R. to the U.K. on a high speed passage. They ran into a convoy of U.S. LCI's, however, who were in no hurry to return. About 2 AM they had a bit of excitement as a convoy ahead was attacked by German planes. Rockets, flares, traces and planes were buzzing all around. Apparently, a JV88 flew right over 311 at very low altitude.
Thursday, June 15 D+9
LCI(L) 311 arrived off Fort Gilkicker about 5:30 AM and later proceeded to Portsmouth. They drews alongside a casualty carrying LST with as many padres aboard as stretcher bearers. Anderson writes that they were told to move and eventually tied up beside the "Shippigan". He saw the "Victory" from a distance.
Thursday, June 15 D+9
LCI(L) 311 arrived off Fort Gilkicker about 5:30 AM and later proceeded to Portsmouth. They drews alongside a casualty carrying LST with as many padres aboard as stretcher bearers. Anderson writes that they were told to move and eventually tied up beside the "Shippigan". He saw the "Victory" from a distance.
Instructions were received to proceed to Southampton, where, two minutes after arrival (so it seemed) an American boarded to load 400 blankets, food supplies and 200 troops. Anderson found time after supper to go ashore to raise a glass at the Travellers Club, for starters.
Friday, June 16 D+10
After great rushing around to load rubber tires and more, 311 returned to France. He states they had "a most pleasant afternoon crossing the Channel with bright sunshine and a pleasant rolling swell." "The ships moving back and forth are amazing in their numbers," he writes. "Convoys of LST's and merchant ships are continually crossing - about 75 ships in each convoy." They dropped off their load at "Frobisher" at 8 PM and then enjoyed a sip of gin, followed up by a bugle fanfare to the "Frobisher" when they let their lines go. "Even the cruiser's Commander smiled," writes Anderson. "Smiled like he had a mouthful of razor blades."
Saturday, June 17 D+11
"This indeed was our unlucky day," begins Anderson. 311 unloaded about 300 troops from "Princess Josephine Charlotte" but in the process damaged their ship, e.g., two stanchions were broken and two holes were created at the water line. They also took on diesel oil from a tanker and ruined their forward anchor. "Let's hope the war doesn't last too long," he writes.
Sunday, June 18 D+12
Anderson's notes begin early! "At two AM we were told (to) proceed to unload troopers". The "Prince David" was among them and Anderson was reacquainted with friends. LCI(L) 311 unloaded a record number of troops from "Prince David" but "ran aground on the so-called pontoon."
Monday, June 19 D+13
D+13 proved unlucky for LCI(L) 311. During the night a gale blew up the ship had to move twice, the second time into a gooseberry (man-made harbour). "We were not there long," Andersaon says. They were dispatched to tow rhino ferries but in the gale they could not be found.
Friday, June 16 D+10
After great rushing around to load rubber tires and more, 311 returned to France. He states they had "a most pleasant afternoon crossing the Channel with bright sunshine and a pleasant rolling swell." "The ships moving back and forth are amazing in their numbers," he writes. "Convoys of LST's and merchant ships are continually crossing - about 75 ships in each convoy." They dropped off their load at "Frobisher" at 8 PM and then enjoyed a sip of gin, followed up by a bugle fanfare to the "Frobisher" when they let their lines go. "Even the cruiser's Commander smiled," writes Anderson. "Smiled like he had a mouthful of razor blades."
Saturday, June 17 D+11
"This indeed was our unlucky day," begins Anderson. 311 unloaded about 300 troops from "Princess Josephine Charlotte" but in the process damaged their ship, e.g., two stanchions were broken and two holes were created at the water line. They also took on diesel oil from a tanker and ruined their forward anchor. "Let's hope the war doesn't last too long," he writes.
Sunday, June 18 D+12
Anderson's notes begin early! "At two AM we were told (to) proceed to unload troopers". The "Prince David" was among them and Anderson was reacquainted with friends. LCI(L) 311 unloaded a record number of troops from "Prince David" but "ran aground on the so-called pontoon."
Photos/details re Prince David, found in Combined Operations pg. 170
D+13 proved unlucky for LCI(L) 311. During the night a gale blew up the ship had to move twice, the second time into a gooseberry (man-made harbour). "We were not there long," Andersaon says. They were dispatched to tow rhino ferries but in the gale they could not be found.
During the afternoon Anderson went ashore, "at Arromanches," he says. He and a companion "found a church and a cemetery and spent some time in each." Only one shop was open ("all they seemed to have were buttons") so they returned to the ship for supper. At 1 AM, "just to make life miserable" 311 was forced to move again, into gale force winds. Not a good night.
Tuesday, June 20 D+14
"Last night was a bad one for the ship," begins Anderson's diary entry for the day. He reports on damage to 311. "A few holes in the forecastle.... a colossal dent in the port side." A tug was required to two them away from the jetty. After successfully getting their anchor down, 311 rode out the storm for the remainder of the day.
Wednesday, June 21 D+15
"There is always someone around to spoil things," writes Anderson. At 8 PM they were given orders "to move immediately because we were apparently in grave danger of breaking the beetle (man-made dock). Unfortunately, the crew found the anchor was fouled in the securing line for the pontoon.
They found they couldn't clear themselves and had to cut away the anchor. Anderson says, "A gale (is) blowing and us without an anchor." They moved about inside the gooseberry until 1 AM until a friendly freighter allowed them to tie up alongside. The business of cruising around inside the harbour was risky business after dark and 311 collided with an LCT ("another hole in the forecastle," says Anderson).
Thursday, June 22 D+16
LCI(L) 311 had to move after 6:30 AM because the "friendly freighter" had to unload. By 9 AM, however, they secured the ship to another friendly freighter. Anderson adds, "We learned later that he has been here one week waiting to be unloaded. His cargo is 450 tons of ammunition. Who said modern war needed supply?"
Anderson learned from the BBC that the wind was hampering operations off the Normandy coast, but that unloading was continuing. Anderson rates the unloading procedure as "Darn good." He observes LCAs (Landing Craft, Assault) being lowered inside the gooseberry. "Yet the battle goes on." He says, "The wheels were put in motion to return to the U.K." in order to repair damage to their ship, and later learned they were to return "at dawn tomorrow."
Last entry, July (no date given)
200 (troops) - U.S. Army - from Royal Pier, Southampton to Utah area.
177 - U.S. Army - Lymington to Omaha area
Note from Editor: The diary, in its entirety, can only be found in Combined Operations by Clayton Marks of London, Ontario. The book was printed in 1993 (approx.) and is extremely difficult to find. However, three of Clayton's family members and I are now in the process of readying the book for reprinting. It should be ready for sale and delivery by June 2016, and an announcement will be made on this site.
Please link to Story: D-Day Normandy - Lt. Anderson's Diary (2)
Please link to Story: D-Day Normandy - Lt. Anderson's Diary (2)
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