H. N. Schultz, Lt.

Commanding Officer - USS LST 920

15 August 1944
Subject: Action Report

Part I and II

  1. On August 14, 1944 this ship, LST 920 was proceeding in company with Convoy EBC 72 enroute from Milford Haven, Wales to Falmouth, England second to last ship in left column, ( There were at thas time two columns of ships, two of which were LST's; 920 and 921. LST 921 was last in column. LST and LST 921 were loaded each with structural steel and LCVP's as cargo. The structural steel was a special "steel egg crate") on course 215° (T) at (7) seven knots. A British LCI (LCI (L) 99) was approximately 500 yds. 330 relative from the LST 920 in the same column. (LCI 99 was slightly of of position) There were several large ships ahead in the same convoy.(Do not have list of ships in convoy) Weather was clear, very calm sea, a light wind.

  3. At 1654 the LST 921 was seen to be hit by mine or torpedo. Heavy concussion was felt against sides of LST 920 and smoke, water, and debris was thrown up high into the air, judged at perhaps 100 ft.. General Qtrs. was sounded immediately by O.O.D. Ens, J. J. Waters and Captain relieved the deck.

  5. At 1656 the LCI (99) on port bow was blown up. LCI 99 broke in two in the middle and parts were thrown in every direction sinking almost immediately. Position by Navigators dead reckoning was Lat. 50-56 N. and Long. 4-47 W. in neither case were torpedo wakes observed. (Captain and Executive officer tried to find possible torpedo wales but observed none.)

  7. At 1700 an escort from ahead stbd. bow turned around and asked by light, "what happened?". This ship LST 920 had remained on course, threw life rings over the side (port side) to survivors of (LCI (L) 99).

  9. At 1720 LST 920 lowered ship's boat #2 near scene of LCI (99). LST 920 had been on various courses and speeds along the general base course and was now in reverse direction from remainder of convoy, , to close scene of survivors. Ensign Willcox was in charge of boat, with Phm. Mate and crew of four men. This crew began picking up survivors almost immediately from LCI 99 and then LST 921. Changed course and speed several times and lowered #1 boat at 1740 with Ensign Waters in charge. (Corvette had also lowered pulling boat but were some distance from scene of LST 921.) Ensign Waters and crew of 4 went to the scene of LST 921 and began picking up survivors. Boat #1 returned to the ship (LST920) at 1820 with first load of survivors - 8 were stretcher cases, all of these were picked out of the water. Picked up boat and surviviors while moving 1/3 ahead. During the time boats were out picking up survivors LST 920 kept moving on zigzag courses and changing speeds constantly down and back on base course following the convoy - keeping clear of the Corvette - (planes were also in air and around the area).

  11. At 1820 the radio voice circuit reported a submarine bearing two miles NE of sunkey LST 921. Over the voice radio, later, (from a plane), contact was made 5 miles north of reported position of torpedoing of LST 921. Plane reported "Making contact and attacking causing oil slick".

  13. At 1919 Lt. (jg) Botula and Ensign Reed spotted a periscope on port beam and Ensign Clymer observed a periscope on the port quarter, range estimated 1000 yds., the periscope came up a short way in our direction then went down again - all engines ahead flank and hard right rudder was ordered, a northeasterly course was kept for a few minutes, then all engines were ordered to stop and another hard right rudder after Williams SC1c (control talker), Ensign H. H. Vandemoer and the Captain sighted a slick developing ahead. It did not appear to be a torpedo wake (and we only turned on a hunch). By this time all hands thought they saw a periscope. Soon after stopping a large explosion was observed in the direction of the slick observed by above. Distant about 1000 to 1500 yards on port bow of LST 920. Did not see any sign of torpedo wake.

  15. At 2025 lowered boat #1 with Ens. Waters in charge, proceeded to pick up remaining survivors from LST921. Boat #2 had transferred men to British M.L. which proceeded to a port. It took all British LCI men and a few LST 921 survivors. Boat #2 returned to the ship.

  17. LST 920 was zigzagging along base course to rejoin convoy at full speed. At 2140 a mine or what was observed as a mine was seen on Stbd. beam about 750 yds. distant. Attempt was made to explode it with 20mm bursts but attempt was unsuccessful. The object looked like a practice warhead or small mooring buoy painted black. At 2145 upon signals from HMS Londonderry the LST 920 reversed course to meet the Londonderry, a motor launch brought Lieutenant W. Castles, medical officer aboard. Then Londonderry escorted LST 920 on into Falmouth England. We did not rejoin Convoy. Entered Falmouth next morning.

  19. When Doctor Castle came aboard he reported that sighted and reported by Ensign Clymer had been attacked and presumably sunk by planes. There were 3 planes around during the attack.

Part III
1. Only expenditure of ammunition was 20 rounds 20mm on object sighted which we thought was a mine.

Part IV
1. No damage to LST 920. To enemy; one sub reported sunk by British plane.

Part V
1. No special comments.

Part VI
1. No casualties to personnel of LST 920. Performance of Personnel: Entire crew although inexperienced did a good job.

2. Boat Officers, Phm. mates and crew did an outstanding job. Ensign Willcox dove into the water several times in picking up survivors, many of which were litter cases. He also dove to clear the boat propeller which has become jammed up with the sunken ships' debris. Ensign Waters also dove in to pick up survivors. These officers were ably assisted by their boat crews in swimming out, pickin up surviviors, going aboard the remainder of the hulk of LST 921 knowing it may be very hazardous with submarines in the vicinity. Both officers did a fine job in directing the rescue of survivors. There were 48 survivors brought back to the LST 920 and transferred to the R.M.L. 524 which proceeded to port early during the action.

3. It is my pleasure to list the following two officers and 9 enlisted men for outstanding performance and duty during submarine action 14 August 1944 for whatever commendation or award the Court of Boards and Awards may see fit.

H. N. Schultz