7 Replies Latest reply on Jun 15, 2018 9:09 AM by joan stachnik

Log books for Normandy ships

joan stachnik Jun 4, 2018 2:20 PM

Hi, I was wondering if there were records kept (such as a ship manifest or log) for the transport ships that carried wounded back to England from the Normandy area following the D-Day invasion? From what I've been able to find, there appears to have been over 40,000 wounded/injured men transported from the battle areas via LSTs or hospital ships beginning as early as June 6. With so many wounded, and the need for quick evacuation, is it possible that specific log books or records were kept listing individual soldiers who were transported? Or a listing of ships/transports that would have been used for this? And, if so, where might these be archived? My guess is probably not, but I thought I would ask. Thank you, joan

Re: Log books for Normandy ships

Rebecca Collier Jun 7, 2018 1:26 PM (in response to joan stachnik)

Dear Ms. Stachnik,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We searched the World War II Action and Operational Reports, 12/7/1941 - 1946 and located files of Task Force 122 (Western Naval Task Force), TF 124 (Assault Force O - Omaha Beach), and TF 125 (Assault Force U - Utah Beach). These reports included numbers of the vessels by type and names of the larger ships. We have custody of the deck logs for the ships (such as the USS Arikara, Bayfield, Fitch, Barnett & Samuel Chase) that assisted smaller vessels (LCIs & LCTs) during the landing by providing cover via weapons fired as well as taking aboard casualties, making quick repairs to the smaller ships, and sending supplies to those onshore. Some of the logs listed the names of the injured. Deck logs of ships (for example, USS Corry) or smaller vessels (LCI 85) that were sunk during the operation were not recovered.

A comprehensive list of the over 100 ships/vessels that were assigned to various Task Forces could be compiled by reviewing the reports.

We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your research!

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- Re: Log books for Normandy ships
  
  joan stachnik Jun 10, 2018 8:22 PM (in response to Rebecca Collier)
  
  Ms. Collier, thank you for the reply. I will check the files you referred to. Are any of these deck logs available online? joan
  
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  - Re: Log books for Normandy ships
    
    Rebecca Collier Jun 11, 2018 7:07 AM (in response to joan stachnik)
    
    Dear Ms. Stachnik,
    
    No, unfortunately, none of these that I have listed have been digitized.
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    - Re: Log books for Normandy ships
      
      joan stachnik Jun 11, 2018 9:07 AM (in response to Rebecca Collier)
      
      Thank you. joan
      
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    - Re: Log books for Normandy ships
      
      joan stachnik Jun 14, 2018 9:53 AM (in response to Rebecca Collier)
      
      Ms Collier, one more question. Which archives should I contact for more information on Task Force 125 (Utah)? I tried to search the catalog online but was not able to find the files you mentioned. thank you, joan
      
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      - Re: Log books for Normandy ships
        
        Rebecca Collier Jun 14, 2018 10:17 AM (in response to joan stachnik)
        
        The World War II Action and Operational Reports, 12/7/1941 - 1946 that include files of Task Force 122 (Western Naval Task Force), TF 124 (Assault Force O - Omaha Beach), and TF 125 (Assault Force U - Utah Beach) are in the custody of the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference. The email address is archives2reference@nara.gov.
        For future information -- At the bottom of every description in the National Archives Catalog, the NARA reference unit that has custody of the records is listed and includes their contact information.
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        Re: Log books for Normandy ships
        
        joan stachnik Jun 15, 2018 9:09 AM (in response to Rebecca Collier)
        
        Thank you! joan
        
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