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On 19 February 1945... D-Day |
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THE LANDING
Dog day had been tentatively set for 19 February, and How-hour for 0900. Both were confirmed. Throughout the day, the weather, sea conditions and visibility were excellent.
At 0640, the transports arrived in the transport area. The RCT Comdr and his command group were afloat immediately thereafter, and cleared for the Control Vessel at 0700, arriving thereat 0745. By 0735 all LSTs were on station, and by 0805, all LVTs had been launched without mishap, and the waves were forming behind the LD, prepared to land. Both Regimental Weapons Company (less 37mm platoons), and the remainder of the RCT Command echelon, which had been delayed in boating were inroad to their rendezvous areas at 0900.
Inroad to the beach, the landing craft received no fire, and at 0902 the first wave (LVT(A)s) landed. One minute later the 2d wave of BLT 1 landed, and at 0905 the 2d wave of BLT 2 landed. The remaining scheduled waves followed at the prescribed intervals.
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