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[spooks1959]

Can anyone help with a query about flotilla numbering for LCI(L)s?

My research shows that these craft were initially allocated to 22 flotillas during 1943, most operating in the Mediterranean and grouped into four squadrons A through D.

Once preparations begin for the invasion of Europe flotilla numbers have mysteriously change to three digit numbering i.e. 250, 251… 260, 261,.. 270, 271… How do these new numbers relate to the previous ones?

The main reason for chasing this up is the focus on the amphibious assault craft in the East Indies Fleet web section of our site, http://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/BPF-EIF/EIF_Ships.htm several histories have been added for specialist LCI(L)s – Landing Craft Headquarters and Landing Craft Administration variants  - but here are at least four flotillas to account for (approx. 48 craft) so individual craft allocations to flotillas is also being sought.

 Many thanks

Tony

[CombinedOps]

Do you have access to the Admiralty's Green Lists? If not I could send you a couple of pages (JPGs) from 1944 that might shed some light on the subject.

[spooks1959]

Hi,

Thanks for the offer, I don't have access to Green Lists so I would be very interested to learn more.

E-mail me at editor@royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk I can give you access to our shred DropBox folder if it will make things easier than sending pdf files via e-mail.

Merry Christmas

Tony

[Paul Skidmore]

Tony,

Here is the information mentioned earlier.

263  LCI(L)  Flotilla: - consisted of
LCI(L)  126,  164,  165,  169,  171,  179,  181,  300,  377,  378,  379,  380

Am led to believe that 263 Flotilla would now be providing logistical support going back and forth across the Channel on the above dates.

2/10/44
LCI(L)  164,  165,  169,  171,  175,  179,  181,  246,  377,  378,  379,  380.  Newhaven.
Note LCI's 126 and 300 replaced by LCI's 175 and 246.

23/10/44
LCI(L)  164,  165,  169,  171,  181,  246.  Allocated  to  263  Flotilla  and  attached  to  202  LCI(S)  Flotilla.  On  passage  to  Southampton.
LCI(L)  175,  179,  377,  378,  379,  380.  Newhaven.

6/11/44
LCI(L)  164,  165,  Southampton,  169.  Newhaven,  181,  Dover.   246.  Allocated  to  263  Flotilla  and  attached  to  202  LCI(S)  Flotilla.
LCI(L)  171,  175,  179,  377,  378,  379,  380.  Newhaven.

27/11/44
LCI(L)  164,  165,  169,  181.  Newhaven.  Allocated  to  263  Flotilla  and  attached  to  202  LCI(S)  Flotilla.
LCI(L)  131,  134,  171,  178,  179,  241,  377,  384,  Newhaven.

NB - LCI's 378;379 and 175 in addition to 126 and 300 replaced by LCI's 131;134 and 384.

Any information regarding movements relative to 202 LCI (S) Flotilla ? Were they involved with providing support to Operation Infatuate?

I also have some information regarding LCI's 131; 164 and 181 between February 1945 to May 1945 whilst 263 Flotilla was seconded to "T" LCT Squadron  providing a shuttle service in support of the Expeditionary Force into Antwerp if this is of interest to you.

Regards,

Paul   
 

[Paul Skidmore]

Hi Tony,
Your previous thread regarding LCQ's.
Have come across a little information regards to 381; 382 and 389 from an extract of Admiralty Green List ADM 210/11. These three were converted LCI's to LCQ's around 15.11.1944 to 20.11.1944. Conversions were carried out at Bo'ness.
Regards,

Paul

[spooks1959]

Thanks Paul,

I have updated my spreadsheet to include this new info.

Tony

[Paul Skidmore]

Hi Tony,
I have extract from ADM210/8 Green List for 11.07.1944 relating to 0 LCI (L) Flotillas ( including the Pennant Numbers of the various LCI attached to their respective Flotillas ) that were operational at that time as part of the "Overlord " Forces which were providing shuttle services between their relevant bases and Normandy. If this is of interest to you let me know and I'll send this over. The Flotilla that I was particularly interested in was 263rd as this was the one that my late father was posted to. At the time duties were administered by HMS Porcupine and the following craft operated out of Newhaven - LCI's 126; 164;165; 169; 171; 179; 181; 300; 377; 378; 379 and 380. 

[spooks1959]

LCI(L), (H) & (Q) spreadsheet

For anyone interested in these small ships, a spreadsheet listing all of these vessels can be viewed here http://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/Documents/LCI(L)%20Master%20list2.xlsx
It contains all the information gathered so far.

If anyone can add detail to any of the entries please contact me editor@royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk

[Jamax]

Hi Tony,
I have extract from ADM210/8 Green List for 11.07.1944 relating to 0 LCI (L) Flotillas ( including the Pennant Numbers of the various LCI attached to their respective Flotillas ) that were operational at that time as part of the "Overlord " Forces which were providing shuttle services between their relevant bases and Normandy. If this is of interest to you let me know and I'll send this over. The Flotilla that I was particularly interested in was 263rd as this was the one that my late father was posted to. At the time duties were administered by HMS Porcupine and the following craft operated out of Newhaven - LCI's 126; 164;165; 169; 171; 179; 181; 300; 377; 378; 379 and 380.

Hi Paul
I hope you don't mind me getting in touch with you. Does your green list contain any information on HMS LCI(L)-99? My uncle was aboard when she was sunk. I believe she was involved in Sicily, I have an Italy Star Medal here at home. However I am trying to find out anything I can about 99 and what she was doing before being sunk.

Regards
Alex Shields

[PhiloNauticus]

LCI(L).99 is listed as taking part in the landings on Sicily 20 July 1943 (Operation Husky) and also the landings at Anzio 22 January 1944 (Operation Shingle)
[source: British Invasion Fleets by John Winser]

[Jamax]

Thanks Philonauticus, very much appreciated.
Do you know where I can find out if she made it to any of the Normandy landings? I know she was torpedoed in EBC-72 off North Cornwall.
I know from the routing Barry- Falmouth she was possibly supporting US invasion forces and possibly onto Omaha and or Utah beaches.
Thanks again.
Alex

[PhiloNauticus]

LCI (L).99 is not listed as taking part in the D-Day landings [source:  The D-Day Ships by John Winser ] but was evidently involved in the follow-up support.

EBC convoys were the supply convoys from Barry, South Wales, to Seine Bay for the landing beaches.

http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/ebc/index.html?ebc.php?convoy=37!~ebcmain

[Jamax]

LCI (L).99 is not listed as taking part in the D-Day landings [source:  The D-Day Ships by John Winser ] but was evidently involved in the follow-up support.

EBC convoys were the supply convoys from Barry, South Wales, to Seine Bay for the landing beaches.

http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/ebc/index.html?ebc.php?convoy=37!~ebcmain

Many thanks
Alex

[Timpegg]

Hi!
I’m really sorry to gatecrash this thread but I’m new to this forum and am trying to start a new thread to track details of my father in laws vessel on which he served in the 1940s? It was LCT 4040. Can anyone help me start this thread and apologies again for the gate crashing!

[PhiloNauticus]

LCT.4040 was HMS Bastion – a Mk.8 Tank Landing Craft.  Built in 1945 at Alloa and served in the RN until 1961.  Took part in the Suez operation in 1956
See:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_8_Landing_Craft_Tank