Landing Ship Infantry (S) 512

Hi

I hope you don't mind me asking this as it isn't strictly commando related but I recently bought the manufacture's plate from LSI (S) 512 which I understand was lost during D Day on Sword beach. I noticed a post on your forum back in 2009 from Danny L. Where he mentions this LSI 512. I would like to be able to research a number of things about 3 Commando who I think were carried to Normandy on 512, how 512 was lost, etc. But first he refers to a picture in Peter Young's Storm from the Sea showing 512 but I would like to understand how he is aware that 512 is in the picture?
Any info would be greatly received.

Regards

Gareth

Gareth, are you sure this is a Landing Ship Infantry (S) and not a Landing Craft Infantry (S) ? I have a book on British Landing Craft and Ships etc. and it appears that the LSI's were numbered starting with a 4. However, LCI (S) were built using numbers 501 - 600 and the war losses were all in 1944...Nos. 511,512,517,524,531,532,537 and 540.

Hi Peter

Thanks for getting back, no you are right LCI(S) I was looking at photos of LSI's confused myself! My plaque is for LCI 512. Initially I was wanting more info on 512 ie is it the picture in peter youngs book?

Regards

Gareth

Just looked through my copy but it has no photos (1968 edition). Can you give me link to the photo please ?

http://www.naval-history.net/WW2BritishLosses4Amphib.htm

Limited info on LC's

Kevin

Hi,
Are you referring to the photo on this page ? http://forum.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/15/834.page

And the information I posted on this page ? http://forum.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/30/834.page

The information came from a variety of sources, National Archives, IWM personal papers, etc. I have been researching the LCI(S) Squadron for some years now.

Don't have access to my files at the moment but when I do I will have a look and see how 512 was lost.

Regards

Danny

Hi Danny

Thanks for getting back to me. It was the photo in Peter Young's book of the LCI's at Warsash. In your 2009 post I think you were saying that 512 was the craft on the left? If that was the case what identifies it as 512?

Yes I would certainly like to know how 512 was lost but also do you know if it's possible to find the names of the crew?

I will find the name of the chap who retrieved the plate and send this over too. Having a little issue sizing the pics for the forum!

Thanks very much for your help

Gareth

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 02/08/2017 22:09:13

Hi,
Had a quick look and came up with the following information.

Built by Brooke Marine Ltd, Norfolk. Completed July 1943

LCI(S) 512 was in 201st LCI(S) Flotilla.

CO was Temporary Lieutenant P. Whitworth RNVR.

On the 6th June she struck a beach mine broached to and was lost on beach.

The Landing Table number "289" identifies this craft as 512. Each landing craft was given a Landing Table Number. This was to be used for loading purposes. It was far easier for the units to use than LC pennant numbers etc. You will see them appearing in a number of photographs taken just before D Day and in the Fabius Exercises. They were painted onto boards and hung from the bridge in most cases.

Afraid I don't have a crew list for LCI(S) 512. It would surprise me if one still survived.

Regards

Danny

I have found a website which gives all crew losses for four of the five vessels lost at Normandy but no listing for 512. It may be that as she was beached the crew all managed to get ashore safely.

Danny/Peter

Thanks for your help with this. Really great site and knowledgeable people. I have attached a picture of the plate I have. Is the 1942 date, the manufacture and the 1943 date Danny mentions the commissioning?

She could carry 102 troops and had a crew of 17.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 11/08/2017 20:31:31

Hi,
Thanks for posting the photo of the builders plate. 512 was laid down in October 1942. I don't have the commissioning date but I imagine it was soon after the completion date.

Pete is right there were no crew fatalities on the 6th June. One crewmember was wounded though. There were several Commando casualties.

Regards

Danny

Hi

Attached is the the service record of the guy who i am told recovered the plate from LSI 512.

Regards

Gareth