Sunday, July 30, 1944 found the destroyer anchored in Tranto, Italy with
various units of the United States Fleet as well as other Allied ships.
Final Preparations were made during the next twelve days, and at 1346 on
August 11th, the huge fleet set its course for the final
destination--Southern France.
With the exception of huge convoys and
other radar targets, the trip was without incident, and at 0115 on the
morning of August 15 the surface radar reported land thirty-seven miles
away, believed to be Cape Camerat, Gulf of St. Tropez, France. Ahead lay the
final test.
Minesweepers led the way in, followed by the destroyers
Macomb, Emmons, Hambleton, and Rodman. The larger units consisted of the
U.S. Cruiser Philadelphia, the French Cruisers George Leygues, and Montcalm.
Some distance behind these the veteran battlewagons Nevada and Texas
prepared to add their voices to the din which was drummed into the ear of
the Hun. Thus the ships assigned to this sector closed in for the
kill.
At 0500 the Macomb went to General Quarters, and as the ship
drew nearer to the coast of France, nerves grew tense and months grew dry
with the apprehension of what would happen in the next few hours. As the
ship approached the assigned targets, Cape Camerat dropped abaft our port
beam leaving us almost completely surrounded by land.
As the ship
slowly drifted into the small bay, a deep silence settled over the vessel,
broken only by the throbbing of th eengines and the punding of our hearts as
we waited for the 18" shore batteries to open up with their crossfire, but
still nothing happened. Then the beach became visible through the heavy
haze, and at 0651 the main battery commenced firing the shore bombardment on
a prearranged sector of beachline of Boil De Bougnon.
As we moved in
closer, the 40mm Bofors opened fire on the close beach and wooded sector.
The main battery continued a pounding roar as the first wave of landing
craft set out for land. Shore bombardment reached a terrific height as
landing craft opened up with a spectacular rocket barrage, ceasing fire
momentarily while troops landed on schedule at 0800 H Hour. The Macomb stood
by to fire on any and all visible opposition.
In the distance
high-flying B-24's demonstrated the power of the air force as the concussion
of their softening up process was felt by the ships off shore.
Thus
the main ordeal was over, and everyone momentarily relaxed with smokes and
exclamations of relief. Then suddenly in the midst of our jubilation, a
salvo froma German 88 straddled the can. Retaliating with the main battery,
the Macomb quickly eliminated the upstart in 1 minute flat. Thus the Mighty
Mac came through her second invasion battle-weary but unscathed.
Additional Information:
Shipboard
letter about the Invasion of Southern France
Return to the USS Macomb
Action
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