MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT SUBJECT: Landing Craft for BOLERO Operations. 1. Pursuant to the directions of the President, given at a conference in the White House at 2:30 P.M. May 6 at which the procurement of landing craft was discussed, the following report is submitted in answer to the questions: a. What can be done by September, 1942? b. What can be done by April, 1943? 2. What can be done by September 1942? The following landing craft can and will be available in the United Kingdom by early September 1942: TYPE BY U.S. BY U.K. TOTAL ATL's (328') 0 4 4 YTL's (105'-200') 45 151 196 TL's (50') 400 95 495 YR's (36') 400 202 602 Y's (36'-39') 400 195 595 By that time the U.S. will have in the U.K. a total force of about 105,000 troops, including 3 Infantry Divisions, 1 Armored Division, 6 Pursuit Groups, 2 Medium Bomber Groups and ll Heavy Bomber Groups. The landing craft listed above can carry a force of about 21,000 men, 3,000 vehicles and 300 tanks. 3. What can be done by April 1943? Present plans entail the launching of an assaulting force of 76,500 men 18,380 vehicles 2,250 tanks The British recommend the use of the following landing craft for this operation: |