21 April 1944
ANNEX "D" TO OPERATION PLAN NO. 2-44	Serial 00144
NAVAL GUNFIRE SUPPORT PLAN

 

The source document was missing pages 1-4 of this Annex. If this material is located elsewhere, this page will be updated. - HyperWar Editor.

 

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APPENDIX 1 - CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE SUPPORT SHIPS

 

Ship	Main Battery	Max. Range	Rounds per Gun	AP	HE
NEVADA	10-14"/45	33,000	92	25%	75%
TEXAS	10-14"/45	18,000	100	50%	50%
ARKANSAS	12-12"/50	18,000	113	33%	66%
EREBUS	2-15"	30,000	135	25%	75%
TUSCALOOSA	9-8"/55	32,000	147	25%	75%
AUGUSTA	9-8"55	32,000	145	25%	75%
GLASGOW	12-6"	24,000	200	40%	60%
MONTCALM	9-152mm	28,000	170	65%	35%
GEORGES LEYGUES	9-152mm	28,000	170	65%	35%
HAWKINS	7-7.5"	23,000	150	20%	80%
ENTERPRISE	6-6"	19,000	250	20%	80%
BELLONA	8-5.25"	23,000	360	20%	80%
BLACK PRINCE	8-5.25"	23,000	360	20%	80%
SOEMBA	3-5.9"	16,000	150	---	100%
U.S. DDs	4-5"/38	18,000	400	6%*	94%
Hunt DDs	4-4"	19,000	250	50%	50%

*Common

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APPENDIX 2 - GUNFIRE SUPPORT COMMUNICATIONS

 

1. Shore Fire Control Parties and fire control ships will use the Shore Fire Control Code contained in Allied Expeditionary Force Signal Book. The procedure to be used will be that contained in Chapter IV, Allied Naval Assault Gunnery Instructions. The procedure outlined therein is similar to CSP2156(A), U. S. Shore Fire Control Code. It should be noted that British Forward Observers Bombardment (FOBs) and British Aircraft Spotters will normally use the clock code method of observation.
2. Shore Fire Control Parties will employ SCR609 and SCR284 for gunfire support communications in accordance with standard doctrine. All fire support ships except Hunt destroyers, SOEMBA, ELLYSON, HAMBLETON, RODMAN, EMMONS, BARTON, WALKE, LAFFEY, MEREDITH and O'BRIEN will be equipped with SCR608. Assault Force Commanders will instruct fore support ships on he initial crystal settings for SCR608.
3. Call signs of fire support ships for gunfire support communications are listed below. These call signs are only to be used for naval gunfire support communications and will not change.

SHIP	CALL SIGN	SHIP	CALL SIGN
NEVADA	DVN	CORRY	RCR
TEXAS	SXT	HOBSON	BOH
ARKANSAS	NKR	BUTLER	LTB
EREBUS	SBR	GHERARDI	RHG
QUINCY	CNQ	HERNDON	NRH
TUSCALOOSA	SUT	SHUBRICK	BHS
AUGUSTA	TSG	NELSON	SLN
HAWKINS	KWH	MURPHY	PRM
GLASGOW	SLG	GLENNON	NLG
GEORGES LEYGUES	GRG	JEFFERS	FJF
MONTCALM	TNM	PLUNKETT	KLN
ENTERPRISE	NTR	TANATSIDE	TNT
BELLONA	LBL	MELBREAK	BLM
BLACK PRINCE	CLB	TALYBONT	YLT
SOEMBA	BMS	BARTON	TRB
FRANKFORD	ARF	WALKE	LAW
CARMICK	MRC	LAFFEY	FAL
DOYLE	LYD	MEREDITH	DRM
ENDICOTT	CDN	O'BRIEN	RBO
McCOOK	CMC	JOUETT	TUJ
BALDWIN	DLB	SOMERS	MOS
HARDING	RAH	DAVIS	VAD
SATTERLEE	TAS	ELLYSON	LEL
THOMPSON	MHT	HAMBLETON	MAH
FORREST	RFR	RODMAN	MDR
FITCH	TIF	EMMONS	MEM

4. Call signs of Shore Fire Control Parties are listed below. These call signs will not change. Naval Gunfire Liaison Officers with infantry battalions will use call sign of their Shore Fire Control Party followed by the numeral 1.

SFCP	Attached	Call Sign	SFCP	Attached	Call Sign
SFCP 1	2nd Ranger Battalion	DJX	SFCP 7	1st Battalion 16th RCT	ZPW
SFCP 2	5th Ranger Battalion	FGH	SFCP 8	2nd Battalion 16th RCT	FAT
SFCP 3	1st Battalion 116th RCT	KRD	SFCP 9	3rd Battalion 16th RCT	KMA
SFCP 4	2nd Battalion 116th RCT	MKR	SFCP 10	7th F. A. Battalion HQ	HOF
SFCP 5	3rd Battalion 116th RCT	SJT	SFCP 11	1st Battalion 18th RCT	CWR
SFCP 6	111th F. A. Battalion HQ	NAD

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SFCP	Attached	Call Sign
SFCP 12	2nd Battalion 18th RCT	LSG
SFCP 13	3rd Battalion 18th RCT	DBR
SFCP 14	32nd F. A. Battalion HQ	PBR
SFCP 15	1st Division Artillery HQ	PVA
SFCP 16	1st Battalion 115th RCT	TBN
SFCP 17	2nd Battalion 115th RCT	BGK
SFCP 18	3rd Battalion 115th RCT	PAD
SFCP 19	110th F. A. Battalion HQ	FRX
SFCP 20	1st Battalion 26th RCT	JBA
SFCP 21	2nd Battalion 26th RCT	SDA
SFCP 22	3rd Battalion 26th RCT	NSB
SFCP 23	33rd F. A. Battalion HQ	HAS
SFCP 24	1st Battalion 175th RCT	QFJ
SFCP 25	2nd Battalion 175th RCT	RGA
SFCP 26	3rd Battalion 175th RCT	DKF
SFCP 27	224th F. A. Battalion HQ	SVG
SFCP 28	29th Div. Artillery HQ	CHW
SFCP 29	1st Battalion 8th RCT	FOL
SFCP 30	2nd Battalion 8th RCT	DMK
SFCP 31	3rd Battalion 8th RCT	GUS
SFCP 32	29th F. A. Battalion RCT	RBK
SFCP 33	1st Battalion 22nd RCT	BJV
SFCP 34	2nd Battalion 22nd RCT	JRM
SFCP 35	3rd Battalion 22nd RCT	PNK
SFCP 36	44th F. A. Battalion HQ	JAX
SFCP 37	1st Battalion 12th RCT	MVL
SFCP 38	2nd Battalion 12th RCT	SOR
SFCP 39	3rd Battalion 12th RCT	NGW
SFCP 40	42nd F. A. Battalion HQ	KUD
SFCP 41	4th Division Artillery HQ	BFE
SFCP 42	358th RCT, 90th Infantry Division	AKW
SFCP 43	502nd RCT, 101st Airborne Division	GAR
SFCP 44	359th RCT, 90th Infantry Division	DAD
PNGS (Parachute Naval Gunfire Support)	Attached	Call Sign
PNGS 1	501st RCT 101st Airborne Division	FVS
PNGS 2	501st RCT 101st Airborne Division	TLO
PNGS 3	501st RCT 101st Airborne Division	QAD
PNGS 4	502nd RCT 101st Airborne Division	HWL
PNGS 5	502nd RCT 101st Airborne Division	NOP
PNGS 6	502nd RCT 101st Airborne Division	DSA
PNGS 7	506th RCT 101st Airborne Division	LGP
PNGS 8	506th RCT 101st Airborne Division	KGB
PNGS 9	506th RCT 101st Airborne Division	QVS

5. The single call sign procedure will not be used for gunfire support communications.

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• The assignment of frequencies to Assault Forces is indicated below. Assault Force Commanders will assign frequencies to Shore Fire Control Parties.

• AM Frequencies

Force "O" (including Rangers and Force "B")

3815 kcs
3840 kcs
3900 kcs
4025 kcs *
4125 kcs
4260 kcs
4335 kcs
4440 kcs *
4620 kcs *
4673 kcs
4825 kcs
5387 kcs
5445 kcs
5595 kcs
5615 kcs
5638 kcs
4300 kcs * (Force "O" common frequency)

Force "U"

3860 kcs
4185 kcs
4240 kcs
4270 kcs
4797 kcs
4850 kcs *
5060 kcs *
5195 kcs
5717 kcs
4355 kcs * (Force "U" common frequency)

* Permanent Naval Frequencies. Remainder of frequencies will not be available after D+14 day.

• FM frequencies

Force "O" (including Rangers and Force "B")

27.0 mcs (Shared with Army after D+2 day)
27.4 mcs (Shared with Army after D+5 day)
29.4 mcs (Shared with Army after D+7 day)
29.8 mcs (Shared with Army after D+14 day)
30.0 mcs (Shared with Army after D+14 day)
30.4 mcs (Shared with Army after D+14 day)
30.7 mcs (Shared with Army after D+3 day)
31.0 mcs (Shared with Army after D+6 day)
31.4 mcs (Shared with Army after D+7 day)
31.6 mcs (Shared with Army after D+14 day)
32.0 mcs *

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32.4 mcs *
32.8 mcs *
33.2 mcs *
33.6 mcs *
34.0 mcs (Shared with Army after D+14 day)
34.4 mcs (Shared with Army after D+9 day)

Force "U"

27.2 mcs (Shared with Army after D+5 day)
29.6 mcs (Shared with Army after D+14 day)
30.2 mcs (Shared with Army after D+14 day)
30.5 mcs (Shared with Army after D+2 day)
31.2 mcs (Shared with Army after D+5 day)
31.7 mcs (Shared with Army after D+14 day)
32.2 mcs *
32.6 mcs *
33.0 mcs *
33.4 mcs *
33.8 mcs *
34.2 mcs (Shared with Army after D+2 day)
34.6 mcs (Shared with Army after D+10 day)

* Permanent Naval Frequencies. Remainder of FM frequencies will be shared with Army as indicated above.

• In assigning frequencies to Shore Naval Fire Control Parties, Assault Force Commanders will attempt as far as possible to assign frequencies which are only a few kilocycles or megacycles apart from frequencies of another Assault Force to Shore Fire control Parties which will operate on the most distant flank from that Assault Force.

•  

• Slidex Code will be issued to all Shore Fire Control Parties and fire support ships. The Slidex Code will only be used by Shore Fore Control Parties to relay intelligence or situation reports to firing ships or to authenticate for messages. When Slidex Code is to be used, the word SEX will be sent before the Slidex Code groups. In order to authenticate for messages the ship or party requesting authentication will send the challenge "BANKO" and time of receipt of the message. The other station will then send the time of receipt of the message encoded in the Slidex Code.
• Slidex Code cursor settings (key pairs) are listed below. The initial settings may be used until a change is required. Assault Force Commanders are authorized to change settings, informing Naval Commander Western Task Force. The key rectangle will also remain unchanged until a change is necessary. In using the Slidex Code the originator of the message will indicate to the receiver the position in which he has set his cursors by giving the coordinates of the key rectangle.

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(1)	Normal Setting
	Horizontal key	K C G L F I B H E J A D N C G L
	Vertical key	D J N B Q L H A F K P J M E G C I D J N B
	Key rectangle	3rd F
(2)	Alternate Setting
	Horizontal key	F D J I C H K L G B E A F D J I
	Vertical key	B N Q A F I O C K P H G L D J E M B N Q A
	Key rectangle	35
(3)	Alternate Setting
	Horizontal key	H D K A J G I C E L F B H D K A
	Vertical key	O D L E K H G B F A M C Q J N P I O D L E
	Key rectangle	3rd J
(4)	Alternate Setting
	Horizontal key	J D K B F A G E I L A C J D K B
	Vertical key	G C J N A O E M Q F H P B I D K L G C J N
	Key rectangle	1st K
(5)	Alternate Setting
	Horizontal key	D B I C K E L G A H F J D B I C
	Vertical key	M Q A G N B O P L E K H C F D I J M Q A G
	Key rectangle	2nd H
(6)	Alternate Setting
	Horizontal key	A D G J E C L H B F I K A G D J
	Vertical key	F H K D O A N Q J M B E I L C G P F H K D
	Key rectangle	44
(7)	Alternate Setting
	Horizontal key	C H E I B K D L A G J F C H E I
	Vertical key	E A H O B F I K J M G D P L C N Q E A H O
	Key rectangle	1st F
(8)	Alternate Setting
	Horizontal key	F B G E K J H A L C I D F B G E
	Vertical key	P I F Q H D M G C O E N A K B L J P I F Q
	Key rectangle	3rd U
(9)	Alternate Setting
	Horizontal key	C H F L E A G D B K I J C H F L
	Vertical key	K G E I D J C L P H A F B N O M Q K G E I
	Key rectangle	56
(10)	Alternate Setting
	Horizontal key	D C L E F B H A I F K G D C L E
	Vertical key	N E C K I M D A O B L Q F H P G J N E C K
	Key rectangle	2nd A

• The following vocabulary will be used with Slidex Code. The RA unit card will not be used.

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A.A	08 ACCEPT(ED) (ING)	J ADVANCE(D) (ING)	24 AIRBORNE	31 AIRCRAFT	4 ALL ARMS	49 AIR O.P.	57 AMERICAN (S)	A AMMUNITION	G AREA	SWITCH OFF	9 ARMY
0 (FIG) ARTILLERY	E ATTACH(ED) (ING)	18 ATTACK(ED) (ING)	S AXIS	A BARRAGE	40 BATTALION (S)	N BATTERY (IES)	T BATTLESHIP	SWITCH ON	74 BLOWN	N B.C.W.	90 BOMBERS
BOMBLINE	09 BOUNDARIES	19 BRIDGE	T BRIGADE	32 CANADIAN(S)	H CANCEL	5 CAPTURE(D)	58 CARRIER(S)	65 CASUALTY (IES)	H CENTER	82 CHANGE FREQUENCY TO	V CLOSING DOWN AT
00 CODESIGN	F COLUMN	K COMBINED ARMY AND NAVY SHOOT	25 COMMAND	B COMMUNICATION (S)	41 COMPANY(IES)	50 CONCENTRATE (ION)	SWITCH OFF	B CONTACT	I CORPS	0 COUNTER	91 CROSSING
A CRUISER	1 (FIG) DEFENCE (IVE)	2 DEFEND (ING)	U DELAY (ED) (ING)	SWITCH ON	42 DESTROY(ED)	Q DESTROYER	U DIRECTION	66 DIVISION	75 EARLIEST	83 EAST	W ENEMY
OI ENGAGE(D) (ING)	10 ESSENTIAL	L ESTABLISH(ED) (ING)	26 EVACUATE(D) (ING)	33 EXCLUDE	I EXPECT	P EXPENDITURE	59 FWD. LINES	C FIGHTER(S)	76 FIRST LIGHT	P FIRE	92 FLANK
02 (F.O.B.) PARTY(IES)	G FRENCH	SWITCH OFF	27 FREQUENCY	C FRONT	43 GAS	51 GO(ING)	V GRID	67 GUN(S)	J GUNBOAT	Q HQ	X HARRAS (ED) (ING)
SWITCH ON	11 HARBOUR	20 HEAVY	V HELD UP	34 HIGH GROUND	J HOLD(ING)	52 HOUR(S)	6 HOW MANY/MUCH	68 IMMEDIATE(LY)	77 INCL	84 IN COMUNICATION WITH	Y INFANTRY
B INFORM(ED) (ATION)	12 INTENTION	M JAM(MED) (MING)	28 JUNCTION	D KILLED	44 KILOMETERS	Q LANDMARK	W LAST LIGHT	69 L.C.G.	K LEFT	85 LIAISON	Z LIFT
03 LIGHT	SWITCH OFF	N LINE	29 LOCATE(D) (ING)	35 LORRIED INFANTRY	45 MACHINE GUNS	53 MAP REF.	X MEDIUM	D MILES	78 MINE(D)(S)	R MINUTE(S)	93 MONITOR
C MORTAR(S)	13 MOVE (D) (S) (ING)	21 M.T.	W M.T.B.	36 MY LOCATION IS	K WEAR	R NET(TED) (TING)	60 NEUTRALIS(ED) (ATIONING)	7 NIGHT	79 NIL	86 NO/NOT	94 NO MOVEMENT SEEN
D NORMAL	14 NORTH	O OBJECTIVE	SWITCH OFF	E OBLIQUE PHOTO	46 OBSCURE (D)	54 OBSTACLE	Y O.P.s	70 OPS	l OPEN AT	87 ORDER(S)	95 OUT OF ACTION
04 OWN TROOPS	H PARACHUTIST(S)	22 PASS (ED) (ING)	X PATROL(S)	37 PHOTOGRAPH(S)	SWITCH ON	55 PLATOON(S)	Z POSITION(S)	E PROTECT (ION) (ING)	8 RADAR	S R.A.F.	96 RAILWAY
05 RANGE	15 RAPID	P RATE	Y REAR	F RECCE	47 RECEIVE(D) (R) (ING)	RED>	61 REGT	71 REPORT (ED) (S) (ING)	M RESERVE (D) (S)	T RESISTANCE	97 RIGHT
E RIVER	16 ROAD	Q R.J.	3 R/T	G SFCP	L SEARCH LIGHT	SWITCH ON	62 SEND (ING)	72 SHELL (ED) (S) (ING)	80 SIGNAL	88 SIT. REP	98 SLOW
06 SMOKE	17 SOUTH	23 S.P.	Z SPOTTING WAVE	38 STOP (PED) (PING)	48 STRENGTH	T SUCCESSFUL	63 SUPPLY (IES)	F SUPPORT (ING)	SWITCH OFF	U TANK(S)	99 TASK(S)
07 TOWN	I TRANSMIT (TER) (SION)	R UNSERVICEABLE	30 WEST	39 WHITE	M WIRE	56 WITHDRAW (AL) (ING)	64 WOOD(S)	73 X-ROADS	81 YARD(S)	89 ZERO	SWITCH> ON

--6 of 7--

4. Compromise of the Slidex Code and settings must be carefully guarded against. Any loss or compromise of the system should be immediately reported to Assault Force Commanders.

 

A. G. KIRK,
Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy,
Naval Commander Western Task Force.

 

/s/
R. T. CRAGG,
Flag Secretary.

--7 of 7--

 

APPENDIX 3 - PROVISIONS FOR AMMUNITION REPLENISHMENT

 

 

The source document was missing page 1 of Appendix 3. If this material is located elsewhere, this page will be updated. - HyperWar Editor.

 

--1 of 4--

2. Ammunition at Portsmouth is preloaded in lighters, at Portland in coasters, and at Plymouth in coaster and lighters. Forty percent (40%) of 5"/38 and 3"/50 ammunition at Plymouth is ashore. NITRO will be at Plymouth after D-day. MOUNT BAKER will be in Clyde initially until required.

2. Reserve depth charge material is located as follows:

Depth Charge Material	MOUNT BAKER	PLYMOUTH	PORTLAND	FALMOUTH & FOWEY	SALCOMBE	LONDONDERRY
D.C. Mk. 6	180	1000	200	150	24	1326
D.C. Mk. 7	60	170	30			452
D.C. Mk. 9						446
D.C. Mk. 9-2		500	100
D.C. Pistols Mk. 6						1208
D.C. Pistols Mk. 6-1		1000	200
D.C. Boosters Mk. 6						1073
D.C. Boosters Mk. 6-2		1000	200
D.C. Extenders Mk. 6						1357
D.C. Booster Extenders Mk. 6-1		1000	200			1086
Percussion Detonators Mk. 1-1		1950				4300
"K" Gun Impulse Chgs. #1						273
"K" Gun Impulse Chgs. #2						340
"K" Gun Impulse Chgs. #3						370
"K" Gun Arbors Mk. 2						457
"K" Gun Arbors Mk. 6						56
"K: Gun Arbors Mk. 7	150	850
"Y" Gun Impulse Chgs. #1						426
"Y" Gun Impulse Chgs. #2						329
"Y" Gun Impulse Chgs. #3						204
"Y" Gun Arbors Mk. 1						376
7V2 Proj. Chg. Bodies Mk. 44		800
7V2 Proj. Tails Mk. 4-1		800
7V2 Proj. Chg. Fuze Mk. 136-3		800
7V2 Rocket Bodies Mk. 5		1820
2V25 Rocket Motors Mk. 3		1820
Fuzes Mk. 131-3		1820

--2 of 4--

3.  

1. British replenishment ammunition for fire support ships is located as follows:

Caliber	Milford Haven	Plymouth	Portsmouth	Support Depots1
16"	¼ refill	¼ refill		½ refill
15"		200 APC (6 CRH) 50 CPC 200 HE (6 CRH) 200 HE (4 CRH)	400 APC (6 CRH) 50 CPC 600 HE (6 CRH) 200 HE (4 CRH)	200 HE (6 CRH) 400 APC (6 CRH) 200 CPC (4 CRH)
7.5"	1 refill	1 refill	1 refill	1 refill
6" Mk XXIII		3 refills	3 refills	4 refills
5.25"	2 refills	3 refills	3 refills	4 refills
6" Mk XII	1 refill	2 refills	2 refills	3 refills
Destroyers	10%	30%	40%	20% Portland

¹Support depots are remote ammunition depots which will replenish the main ammunition ports.

2. For other British warships one to two refills will be provided in reserve and will be located as follows:

(1)	Escort destroyers, corvettes and frigates:
		35% Portsmouth 25% Sheerness 10% Portland 10% Falmouth 20% Milford Haven
(2)	A/S Trawlers:
		30% Milford Haven 70% Portsmouth
(3)	Minesweepers:
		50% Portsmouth 20% Portland 30% Plymouth

4. Naval Commander Western Task Force will sail fire support ships to ports for replenishment, informing the Commander in Chief of the Home Command concerned by signal, in order that diversions to other ports can be made if necessary. After D-day ships, when signalling their expected time of arrival at replenishment ports should include in the signal the approximate amount of ammunition required. The following procedure shall be followed in sailing British fire support ships to ports for replenishment:

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1. Monitors will initially replenish at Portsmouth.
2. The first four 6" Mark XXIII cruisers will replenish at Portsmouth; the next two at Plymouth.
3. The first two 6" Mark XII cruisers will replenish at Portsmouth.
4. The first three 5.25" cruisers will replenish at Portsmouth.
5. The first 7.5"5" cruiser will replenish at Portsmouth.
6. The first 14 Fleet destroyers and 6 Hunt destroyers will replenish at Portsmouth; the next three Fleet destroyers at Plymouth.
7. SOEMBA will replenish at Plymouth.
8. MONTCALM and GEORGES LEYGUES will replenish at Milford Haven.

5.  

1. Ammunition Stores Issuing Ships (A.S.I.S.) will carry the following types of ammunition to the far shore for gun support craft, ferry service craft, accommodation ships and headquarters ships which will remain on the far shore:

(1)	5"/38 cal. for U.S. headquarters ships.
(2)	4.7" for LCG(L).
(3)	4" H.A. for British coastal forces.
(4)	3" H.A. for British coastal forces.
(5)	12-Pounder.
(6)	6-Pounder.
(7)	2-Pounder for LCF.
(8)	20 and 40 mm.
(9)	.30 and .50 caliber.
(10)	No. 24 Smoke Generator.
(11)	Mark VI Depth Charges.

2. It is intended to base these ships, prior to the operation, two in Thames Area and six at Milford Haven. Two A.S.I.S. will be sailed from Milford Haven on D-2 day to arrive off SPITHEAD on D-day and in the assault area on D+1 day. Three A.S.I.S. will be sailed from Milford Haven on D-day two of which remain off SPITHEAD until further orders. The third is to proceed to the assault area, arriving on D+3. One A.S.I.S. will be sailed from Thames to arrive in the assault area on D+3 day. When they arrive in the assault area A.S.I.S. are to come under the control of Task Force Commanders who will issue the necessary instructions regarding issue of ammunition. No further A.S.I.S. ships will be sailed to the assault area unless Task Force Commanders, FOBAA, or FOWEST signal that they are required.

6. Twenty and forty millimeter ammunition will be available at all British and U.S. landing craft yards and will also be preloaded with larger caliber ammunition in coasters and lighters. On the Far Shore LSTs may issue 20 and 40 mm ammunition in emergency to escort vessels and ferry service craft.
7. Smoke Floats MK. and Floating Smoke Pots M4A1 will be available for issue to landing craft at all U.S. Advanced Amphibious Bases. Reserve F.S. Smoke Tanks for destroyers and filling equipment for F.S. Smoke Tanks will be in Plymouth. CERES and CAPETOWN will each carry 500 mark III Smoke Pots, 500 Floating Smoke Pots M4A1, and 1000 No. 24 Smoke Generators.

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APPENDIX 4 - PROVISIONS FOR AIR SPOTTING

 

1.  

1. The following single seater fighter aircraft are available for air spotting on naval gunfire for the Eastern and Western Task Forces:

16 Mustangs	-	No. 414 Squadron R.C.A.F.
16 Mustangs	-	No. 2 Squadron R.A.F.
16 Mustangs	-	No. 26 Squadron R.A.F.
16 Spitfires	-	No. 268 Squadron R.A.F.
40 Spitfires/Seafires	-	No. 3 Naval Fighter Wing F.A.A.

2. The three Mustang Squadrons will be detached at 1200 on D-day when they will return to carry out their normal tactical reconnaissance duties. The remainder of the aircraft will be continuously available for air spotting.

2.  

1. Spotting aircraft will not be assigned to individual fire support ships but will be pooled and will operate from Lee-on-Solent.
2. Spotting aircraft will operate in pairs, one spotter and one escort, known as a weaver. Both aircraft will operate on the same VHF voice frequency.
3. Initially the total number of available aircraft will be divided into groups, each group being on a different frequency and assigned to Assault Forces. Availability of aircraft limits the total number of groups assigned Western task Force to ten from H-40 minutes until H+230 minutes. After H+230 minutes five groups of aircraft will be available to Western Task Force.
4. Spotting aircraft will arrive over the assault area at H-40 minutes and will be relieved on station. Each aircraft will be capable of remaining on station for 45 minutes. The program of spotting aircraft sorties will be divided into 45 minute periods; period 1 will commence at H-40 minutes.
5. The following table indicates allocations of groups of aircraft to Assault Forces for the first twenty-four periods. Periods when no aircraft of a certain group are available are due to the requirement of a 90 minute turn-around for those groups which do not contain sufficient aircraft to be relieved on station.

GROUP	PERIOD
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24
6	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U
7	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U
8	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U	U
9	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O
10	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O	O
12	O	O	O		O	O	O
14	O	O			O	O
16	U	U			U	U
18	U	U			U	U
20	U	U			U	U

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6. Assault Force Commanders will submit to Allied Naval Commander-in-Chief Expeditionary Forces and Naval Commander Western Task Force the following information:

(1) Targets to be spotted during each period assigned and fire support ship assigned. Since it is considered that two targets may be spotted during a single spotting period, two targets should be assigned for each period. Pre-arranged targets may be assigned as long after H-hour as is considered practical, thereafter targets may be targets of opportunity.

3.  

1. Sorties will be flown by Tactical Air Force who will in the event of casualties, adjust the number of aircraft per group so that the remaining numbers of sorties per group will be equal.
2. Each spotting aircraft will be briefed by Tactical Air Force for two targets per sortie as designated by Assault Force Commanders. In absence of further instructions relief aircraft will be briefed on the same target.

4.  

1. Should Assault Force Commanders require succeeding sorties to be briefed on different targets, they are to signal Allied Naval Commander-in-Chief Expeditionary Force informing Tactical Air Force and Naval Commander Western Task Force the new target and the aircraft affected. Allied Naval Commander-in-Chief Expeditionary Force will then make the necessary arrangements with tactical Air Force.
2. If a reallocation of spotting aircraft between Task Forces is necessary, Allied Naval Commander-in-Chief Expeditionary Force will make necessary arrangements with Tactical Air Force. Naval Commander Western Task Force will reallocate aircraft between Assault Forces "O" and "U" as may become necessary.

5.  

1. Spotting procedure will be in accordance with Allied Expeditionary Force Assault Signal Book. Examples of spotting procedure are given in Allied Naval Assault Gunnery Instructions.
2. British air spotters will normally use the clock code method of observation. The first ranging salvo will be a 400 yard down ladder.
3. Before opening fire ships are to check with spotting aircraft the grid coordinates of the target.
4. Spotting aircraft may discover targets of opportunity and request fore on them. In this case the ship is responsible for insuring that own troops are not endangered by the fire.
5. Fire support ships must inform spotting aircraft of the approach of enemy aircraft.
6. All grid coordinates passed to spotting aircraft will be given in the British Military Grid System (Lambert and Nord de Guerre grid).

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6. On D-day and after Assault Force Commanders are to signal to Allied Naval Commander-in-Chief Expeditionary Force a forecast of their requirements for spotting aircraft for the following day as early as practicable on the previous evening, informing Naval Commander Western Task Force. Allied Naval Commander-in-Chief Expeditionary Force will inform Assault Force Commanders to the extent the requirements can be met.
7.  

1. Frequencies are listed in Communication Plan, Annex "L", Appendix 3.
2. Call signs for spotting aircraft will be promulgated by Allied Expeditionary Force. The call sign of the firing ship will be that of the spotting aircraft followed by the word "TURRET". If one aircraft is spotting for two ships, the all sign of the second ship will be that of the spotting aircraft followed by "TURRET TWO". Each group of spotting aircraft will have one call sign and one frequency. Fire support ships will carry sufficient crystals to enable them to communicate with any group.

 

A. G. KIRK,
Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy,
Naval Commander Western Task Force.

 

/s/
R. T. CRAGG,
Flag Secretary.

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