The RM Commando were placed at the disposal of the Canadian GOC, Major General Roberts. After passing through White beach, they were to join the Essex Scottish, believed to be in the town. Commando HQ and A Company transferred to two LCMs, the open craft intended to land trucks or a single tank, and B and X Companies transhipped from their Chasseurs to LCAs from a pool of boats that had already made at least one landing. The LCA were formed up by about 0830 hours for the 4,000yds run to the beach, with the Chasseurs giving them fire support on each flank, and the Marine gun crews of two major support craft and HMS Locust adding to the counter battery fire. The submarine chasers then laid smoke but the landing craft came under 37 mm and heavier fire. Col Phillipps, in order to get a clearer view, had perched himself on the wheelhouse roof at the stern of his LCM. From there, breaking out of the smoke just before the craft beached, he saw his Marines landing with a courage terrible to see. Intense machine gun and mortar fire was coming down accurately on the leading craft as they hit the shore.

Royal Marine Bren gunners, standing exposed for a clearer shot, fired back, despite the bursts of enemy bullets which repeatedly hit their craft. Then a hurricane of fire from rifles and machine guns added to that of heavier guns. Nevertheless Major Houghton got ashore from the Rear HQs LCA, and No. 8 Platoon landed in an LCA, two Marines being hit as the doors opened for the Marines to charge across the beach to the cover of a tank. This Churchill was immobile but still firing. Only one LCM and LCAs had beached, but by now the Colonel could see that the Germans still held the beach in strength, and putting on his white string gloves, he waved back the boats coming in, so saving 200 of his commandos. Shortly afterwards he was killed but his personal courage led and inspired his subordinates.