Ocean Crossing
March 19, 1943
Flotilla 1 with LCI (L) 17 as the Flagship departed Little Creek,
Virginia as part of Task Force 60 (Task Unit 60.2.4) in 3rd Landing
Craft Convoy. The 19 LCIs sailing for North Africa as Group 3 (Dad
aboard the 229) on this date were:
LCIs: 17, 18, 19, 20, 32, 33, 35*, 38, 39, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 29, 231, 232, 233
Please visit Nav Source for a complete listing of LCIs with details related to the history of each ship.
*It should be noted that the LCI 35 while heading to Lambert's Point
on March 18th struck a sand bar and had to be pulled off by LCTs.
On March 19th the LCI 35 ran aground at 0900 and was not able to free
itself until 1815. By that time Flotilla 1 was already underway for
Bermuda. After ensuring that no damage to the ship occurred, the LCI
35 finally sailed for Bermuda on March 20th docking at Hamilton Harbor
at 1715 on March 23rd.
March 22 - 26, 1943
Flotilla 1 arrives in Bermuda for minor repairs and topping off of
fuel and water and recreation.
March 27, 1943
Flotilla 1 departed Bermuda (including both the LCI 229 and LCI 35)
for North Africa passing Gibraltar late at night on April 11.
War Diary - Flotilla 1, O. F. Gregor and John Leppert
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