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The document below, show that the Monowai, as part of 4 LSI Division, was assigned to Lowering Position “PP” and was part of the group that sailed to the Beach head using CHANNEL 8, which was the “left hand” channel.

So the tables and charts below, show clearly that Monowai sailed with Group 324, 4 LSI Division, and was anchored in “Lowering Position” PP (with all of the other ships assigned to this mission)........which were located on the LEFT side of the Juno Beach area.......actually, this would have put the ship CLOSER to SWORD BEACH than Gold Beach

The ships anchored 7 miles from the coast.

Naval Force ‘J’
The Anchorages

Anchorages had been laid out on charts and came into operation for the second tide. For the assault phase the LSI's had anchored at the Lowering Position some seven miles offshore. Here they hoped to be beyond the range of coastal defence artillery. They were also well placed to sail quickly if there was a serious threat. They were anyway well placed to sail as soon as their troops had been disembarked and their LCA's had been recovered. By 1730 hours the LSI's had sailed and the Headquarters Ship Hilary moved to a position some two miles off shore and in the centre of the sailing anchorages.

I was finally able to find a map on line that shows the “lowering position” (where each group of transports were on D-Day). I’m sorry, it’s not a great map as I took a “screen shot” of it......so hard to read.

I have marked on the map the 3 positions that the Operational orders indicated were the “lowering positions” for each of it’s Force J Assault Transports (including the Monowai).

The Monowai, as I had previously posted (and I included it again), was in the Assualt Group 324 - Left Assault Group, which went to Lowering Postion “PP” (RED CIRCLE on map). So this would put this Division to the “LEFT” (facing the beach) of JUNO BEACH......well away from GOLD BEACH (Gold Beach was to the RIGHT of Juno Beach).

The BLUE CIRCLE on the map is Group 324 - Right Assault Group lowering position.

The Force HQ’s Ship (HMS Hilary) anchored at Lowering Position “XX” (GREEN CIRCLE on map)

My grandfather Major Ernest Clive Jones was commanding officer of 716 Co RASC of the British airborne division. I know from his war diaries that not all officers and men landed by from the air on DDay and a signIficant group landed by sea from SS Monowai with Canadian Forces. Does anyone know if my grandfather was on the ship and if so what time they landed at Nan Red presumably to John they comrades and establish the munition dump at Melville. Thank you all in advance for your help. Dominic

Dominic wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 02, 2019 11:46 am

My grandfather Major Ernest Clive Jones was commanding officer of 716 Co RASC of the British airborne division. I know from his war diaries that not all officers and men landed by from the air on DDay and a signIficant group landed by sea from SS Monowai with Canadian Forces. Does anyone know if my grandfather was on the ship and if so what time they landed at Nan Red presumably to John they comrades and establish the munition dump at Melville. Thank you all in advance for your help. Dominic

From the War Dairies of the 716th Composite Company, RASC

Month and year : June 1944
Commanding Officer : Major E.C. Jones R.A.S.C.

1st June 1944
Place: Field

H.Q. consisting of 4 Offrs & 59 O.Rs leave concentration area and embarked on SS MONOWAI.

5th June 1944
Sailed from COWES Roads.

6th June 1944
Landing operation commence Seaborne party 4 Offrs & 59 O.Rs no casualties.

Source: http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/war_716coy.htm

Dominic wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 02, 2019 11:46 am

My grandfather Major Ernest Clive Jones was commanding officer of 716 Co RASC of the British airborne division. I know from his war diaries that not all officers and men landed by from the air on DDay and a signIficant group landed by sea from SS Monowai with Canadian Forces. Does anyone know if my grandfather was on the ship and if so what time they landed at Nan Red presumably to John they comrades and establish the munition dump at Melville. Thank you all in advance for your help. Dominic

An old thread, I know, but here goes.

My uncle was in the British merchant marine, working as a ship's cook. I have a copy of his service record showing him on the Monowai from April to September 1944.

At this point he had already survived being torpedoed 150 miles off Gibraltar.

He told us a story we believe is related to D-Day, alleging that due to poor rations, and corruption, he served the troops with creamed tripe and peas. The peas were black, and hard, so he soaked them in bicarbonate of soda, to turn them green. For many this would have been their last meal.