Efficiently moving divisions by sea so they are effective at the moment of landing is a tricky affair, as each individual component needs to be capable of near-enough immediate action.
I mean let's face it, armies are not really meant to fight on the big blue wet thing. /2
I mean let's face it, armies are not really meant to fight on the big blue wet thing. /2
One debate was whether a formations' units should travel concentrated in a single transport or be split up into a handful, or more widely dispersed.
The former meant battalions or regiments landed completely ready with support elements ready for action. Brilliant. /3
The former meant battalions or regiments landed completely ready with support elements ready for action. Brilliant. /3
The latter was more fiddly & time consuming, as you could well have units land out of order: as happened following The Great Storm where Advance Parties frequently arrived after the Main Body did.
Different models were played around with, but... /4
Different models were played around with, but... /4
the loss of the SS Derrycunihy from ETM 15 served as a disturbing warning.
She detonated an Oyster (acoustic) mine, splitting the vessel in two, initiating a catastrophic series of events, killing 183 Reccies from 43 Recce in the campaign's greatest single maritime disaster. /5
She detonated an Oyster (acoustic) mine, splitting the vessel in two, initiating a catastrophic series of events, killing 183 Reccies from 43 Recce in the campaign's greatest single maritime disaster. /5
Derrycunihy had been carrying the majority of their HQ, all of A Sqn and some of C Sqn.
25 crew including gunners also perished with 150 more Reccies wounded. It really rendered 43 Recce combat ineffective. /6
25 crew including gunners also perished with 150 more Reccies wounded. It really rendered 43 Recce combat ineffective. /6
As a result much of 53rd Welsh Division was split across several vessels and convoys, although the majority came across on ETM 17.
14 merchant vessels carrying troops and supplies were escorted by five destroyers & corvettes who were to warn off opportunistic raiders & subs. /7
14 merchant vessels carrying troops and supplies were escorted by five destroyers & corvettes who were to warn off opportunistic raiders & subs. /7
ETM was one of the core convoys, with ETM 17 standing for Seventeenth [17] Motor Transport [M] Convoy leaving England [E] from the Thames [T].
They departed from Southend for the Seine Bay. /8
They departed from Southend for the Seine Bay. /8
Even with units concentrated in Marshalling Areas it could take a couple of days to get MT loaded depending on arrival, as columns divided up between wheels & tracks which could be delayed...
And err...
Stevedores could be difficult at times. /9
And err...
Stevedores could be difficult at times. /9
Ideally troops would quickly embark, vessels assemble, then convoys depart - so to limit the amount of time spent by large numbers of men in cramped spaces with limited facilities.
The Great Storm caused a ton of problems here, but that's for another day. /10
The Great Storm caused a ton of problems here, but that's for another day. /10
Infantry & Armoured Divisions had long prepped for a sea move through extensive training & familiarisation. Waterproofing with plasticine compound was routine.
It took an age to apply and once landing was achieved, was ripped off ASAP to prevent engine trouble. /11
It took an age to apply and once landing was achieved, was ripped off ASAP to prevent engine trouble. /11
All soldiers had been extensively sent up and down scramble nets for months before embarkation. For those on transport ships (not LSTs) they'd have to gingerly navigate their way down in full kit to reach the landing craft that'd take them to shore. /12
The sea crossing saw many consider the uncertainties of the unknown, and was one of the most fascinating elements in researching Jocks, Dragons and Sospans (and yes... you will soon be able to preorder the book then READ about this - it's quite something). /13
There were different methods for landing.
Planners originally intended to use the very, very cool Rhino ferries to land MT from liberty ships, transports and LSTs. /14
Planners originally intended to use the very, very cool Rhino ferries to land MT from liberty ships, transports and LSTs. /14
The Rhinos' two outboard engines were horribly underpowered for this role, where loads of 500 tons was not unreasonable. Many were damaged in the Great Storm and various LCIs were employed to tow what became these shitty bobbying barges that moved like wrecking balls. /15
As a result many LSTs directly beached themselves to unload their cargo as dryshod as possible. In many cases the waterproofing was barely needed, leaving beaming crews laughing they'd wasted so much time.
That said, had they not done so - they'd be damned soggy. /16
That said, had they not done so - they'd be damned soggy. /16
There had been concerns LSTs (a rare, essential strategic resource) would sustain too much damage when employed this way, but it was so much more efficient than the Rhino method and represented a solid compromise in achieving landing quotas. /16
Although the Mulberry Harbours were useful, comparatively small amounts of formations' assets landed this way - as their MT was mostly unloaded onto Rhinos and run ashore.
Well plodded.
Or broke down and needed a tow.
Yeah... oh Rhinos I love you so. /17
Well plodded.
Or broke down and needed a tow.
Yeah... oh Rhinos I love you so. /17
Having popped on life vests, infantry had to scramble from transport ships into LCAs or LSI's and then wade ashore.
They tended to get a bit damp. /18
They tended to get a bit damp. /18
Once ashore it could take between a few hours to a day or so for a battalion to assemble in their assembly area and be ready for action, depending on delays and shifts in schedule. /19
So what does this have to do with Sealion?
Consider the above; years of testing, prep & refined development.
Versus the sheer amount of specialist kit & training to take a formation over the big blue wet thing... bodged into a space of weeks & slingshot over the Channel. /20
Consider the above; years of testing, prep & refined development.
Versus the sheer amount of specialist kit & training to take a formation over the big blue wet thing... bodged into a space of weeks & slingshot over the Channel. /20
That's before looking how you sustain them in action with food, clean water, ammunition, fresh equipment, post, replacements and fuel (for starters...)
It doesn't work.
Sealion is fucking stupid. /thread
It doesn't work.
Sealion is fucking stupid. /thread
