Declassified Report
– LST515/A16/A9-8 Enclosure (A)

Declassified Document

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ENCLOSURE (A)

SECRET

UNITED STATES SHIP LST #515, FRIDAY 28, 1944

ZONE DESCRIPTION – 2 REMARKS

0 – 4

Steaming as before on course 090˚(T), 099˚(psc) enroute exercise ”TIGER”, Speed 5 knots.

0018 passed unlighted buoy G2 abeam to port, c/c to 144˚(T) , 153˚(psc).

0028 Degausing coils reset for course 144˚(T), 153˚(psc) on following settings: M+32; Q+26; F-24; A-10.

0135 Gunfire astern believed to be LST 511 firing to port. No target observed by this ship. Sounded General Quarters. Firing one minute duration.

0142 c/c right to 206˚(T); Radar turned on.

0153 Secured from General Quarters.

0204 Last ship in column, LST 507 hit. Sounded General Quarters. Gunfire by ships in column to starboard. No target observed.

0208 Ship astern, believed to be LST 531 hit; Large explosion and fire.

0218 Two enemy E Boats crossed column between 3rd and 4th and 4th and 5th ships from starboard to port by radar.

0220 Opened fire with starboard 40mm guns on radar bearing 351˚(T), range 2500 yards. No hits observed. Expended 86 rounds 40mm ammunition.

0220 c/c left to 170˚(T); c/s to 11 knots, taking evasive tactics.

0225 Gun 25 saw target and opened fire. No hits observed.

0232 Advised Radio Portland of E Boat attack acknowledged at 0232.

0235 c/c left to 090˚(T) after observing flares to starboard bearing 260˚(T) distance about 20,000 yds. Observed fire believed to be burning ship in transport area.

0236 observed four white flares bearing about 180˚(T) distance 5000 yds.

0245 c/c left to 145˚(T).

0249 c/c right to 090˚(T) Two flares bearing 180˚ distance 5000 yds.

0250 c/c left to 080˚(T).

0303 Six white flares 170˚(T) distance 12000 yds.

0305 c/c left to 050˚(T). Three flares bearing 170˚(T) 12000 yds.

0308 c/c left to 040˚(T)

0320 c/c left to 350˚(T).

0329 Three flares 035˚(T), 6000 yds.

0358 c/c to 290˚(T).

0415 c/c 226˚(T) proceeding to scene to pick up survivors.

B.W. WAHLBERG
ENSIGN USNR

4 – 8

0435 approaching burning wreckage at various courses and speeds.

0445 commerced lowering boats to pick up survivors.

0735 all boats returned to ship. Underway various courses and speeds enroute to Portland, England with approximately one hundred and eighteen (118) walking survivors, fourteen (14) litter cases, forty five (45) dead.

D.G. DOWNING
ENSIGN USNR