Evening star., 1947-08-15
Unified Force Opens
Amphibious Assault
On Bay Island
BY w. J. WheotI tIey
StnT Stnff CarresnnndenA


WITH THE ATLANTIC AM
PHIBIOUS FORCE OFF BLOODS-
WORTH ISLAND, Md, Aug. 15.-,
Devastating fire from the guns of
ships plowed through the jungle
growth Of this marshy, uninhab-
itated Chesapeake Bay island to sig
nal the opening yesterday of an
amphibious assault by the largest
unified Army, Navy and Marine
force assembled since the war.
1t marked the first OF a series
Of full-scale exercises arranged for
the two-fold purpose Of keeping this
powerful web-footed landing force
on its toes ready for any eventuality
and for the instruction OF cadets
of the second class of the Military
Academy at West Point and the
corresponding class of midshipmen
ct Annapolis. They have been
dubbed for this exercise the Ca
mids.' <.
In scorching weather, which bat
tle-tried veterans described as not
unlike conditions under which they
stormed and took hot coral-cov-
cred beaches OF the Pacific atolls,
the Camids witnessed demonstra-
ton of the use of all available
weapons of the last conflict.
Smoke Blocks Off Area.
Soaring rockets launched from
the decks of specially developed
craft and from the wing-rackS of
roaring planes burned deeply into
the vegetation. Aircraft dropped
fire and heavy explosive bombs
which dug deep ,crsters as they
sent geysers of earth and water
high into the air. Great clouds
of smoke soon blocked the landing
areas and the attacking feet from
view, adding more discomfort to
the personnel engaged in the exer-
else.
In the few short hours between
midnight and dawn naval craft be-
gan to move to their assigned posi-
tions on the flanks of the main fleet.
At precisely s am. cargo nets were
dropped over the sides of the attack
transport Cambria and the I'd Bat
TALON of the 9Th Marines clambered
over the sides to their tracked land
ing vehicles in landing ship dock.
This is sort of floating dry dock
which transports the smaller craft
and opens her gates to float them
out at the prearranged time.
While the Marines were getting
ready the Camids were being de-
barked from the transports Noble
and New Kent to be taken to the
500-yard lane through which the
Marine assault force was to pass
toward the landing beach.
Heavy Guns Open Fire.
At precisely 1880 o'clock, the
cruiser Spokane and two mine
sweepers opened fire with their
heavy guns, sending salvo after salvo
onto the beach. A half hour later
the gun fire ceased. The last shells
from the ships had not spent their
force, when the din was augmented
by So Army and Marine Corps fight
er bombers which dived out of the
air dropping bomos, strahng the
beach with small-caliber ammuni-
ton and death-dealing rockets.
AS the rocket ships headed IN
toward the beach, they were fol-
lowed at distance of 500 yards by
the assault boats with the Marines.
1t was strictly a simulated landing,
for the force turned away $500 yards
from the beach for several reasons.
The water was shallow, live ammu-
milton was being used, and there are
many dangerous duds in the area
from previous naval exercises.
The landing boats departed in six
waves at 5-minute intervals. AS the
first wave hit the turn-aWay line,
another group of Marine planes
dropped in to smoke up the area and
take photographs for intelligence.
This was followed by two other air
strikes, as the waves of the assault
forces moved in. The first was
group of Is Marine and Army
planes and the second of 80 Marine
and 8 Army planes.
Admiral Davis Directs.
Directing the whole operation was
Rear Admiral Ralph o. Davis, COM
mander of the Atlantic Amphibious
Force, from his flagship, Taconic.
BY II o'clock the assault" was
over, the situation was we'll in hand,
and the amphibious force headed
south in the bay for Lynnhaven
Roads, leaving behind q well ripped
up island and pail of heavy smoke.
Today the Camids will have full
day OF sightseeing in Little Creek,
watching the demonstrations of the
varied uses of the many types of
craft used in amphibious landing.