Assault Landings at Anzio and Nettuno,
D-Day, 22nd January 1944
The Anzio landings (Operation “SHINGLE”) were undertaken by the VI U.S. Corps (3 U.S. Division, and l British Division) with the object of cutting the German lines of communication south of Rome and so breaking the deadlock then developing on the land front at Cassino.1
South African troops of 1991 Swaziland Smoke Company wait to board landing craft at Castellammare before sailing for Anzio. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205195611
Not much information has been found about the R.A.F. balloon personnel involved in Operation SHINGLE, but it is clear that the personnel and equipment were provided by No. 977 Squadron, based in Naples.
The following entries are found in the Operations Record Book of 977 Squadron.
5th January.
W/CDR USHER, S/L SHEPHERD, S/L BRADSHAW and S/L GARLAND attended a meeting at the Headquarters of 102 COASTAL ARTILLERY for a discussion on the equipment required by 102 C.A. for SHINGLE OPERATIONS.6th January.
A conference was held at Squadron Headquarters to discuss equipment. A general outline of the role that balloons were to play was given by COL. ROBINSON A.A A. Officer 5th ARMY. Those present were COL. ROBINSON, 5th ARMY, W/CDR USHER, MACAF, S/L SHEPHERD, 242 GROUP, S/L BRADSHAW, 62nd FIGHTER WING, S/L GARLAND, 977 SQUADRON and MAJOR HUSSEY, 102 COASTAL ARTILLERY.14th January.
All Admiralty type winches being reeved for SHINGLE OPERATION and crews detailed. CASTELLAMARE barrage deflated.16th January.
1900hrs. Meeting of all officers taking part in the preliminary SHINGLE OPERATION. Full details as to number of L.S.T.s, ports of embarkation and equipment required.17th January.
All equipment and personnel for SHINGLE sent to the Ports of Embarkation.18th January.
Inflation of Balloons for L.S.Ts commence.19th January
F.T. 6 with W/CDR USHER arrived NAPLES.
S/L GARLAND visited inflation point at CASTELLAMARE.20th January.
All inflations completed.21st January.
All empty cylinders returned by road to No. 1 H.S.U.28th January.
Information received that LST 422 on SHINGLE OPERATIONS was sunk by a mine. This was confirmed by Royal Navy. Number 639954 LAC Lightfoot, S. missing from this operation.1st February.
W/CDR USHER, M.A.C.A.F. arrived back Naples from ANZIO on FT. 6.28th February.
Information from the Operations Record Book of 977 Squadrons (The National Archives, Catalogue Reference AIR 27/2325)
Signal received from B.P.O. that LAC Lightfoot to be reclassified as killed.
It is surprising that no mention is made of the number of personnel detached from the Squadron for Operation SHINGLE, the name of the officer in command of the detachment, or any designation given to the detachment. Also, there is no mention of the return of any of the detachment personnel to the Squadron at a later date.
LAC Lightfoot was on LST 422, a Royal Navy landing ship carrying U.S. troops, that sailed from Naples on 25th January and arrived at the anchorage at Anzio during the night.
The weather was bad, and in the early hours of 26th January, HM LST 422 drifted into a known minefield in strong winds. The ship hit a submerged mine. The explosion tore a hole through the bottom and starboard side of the ship and fire rapidly spread. As the ship flooded and continued to burn, orders were given to abandon ship. Rough seas complicated rescue attempts by nearby vessels, and 454 U.S. troops and 29 British crew members were lost in the cold waters as the ship broke in two and sank.
The information available on the internet about this incident makes no mention that an RAF man lost his life.
Sam Lightfoot was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Lightfoot, of Newchapel, Staffordshire. He is commemorated on the Malta Memorial, Panel 15. Column 2.
- “Movements”, compiled by Major J B Higham and E A Knighton, Esq, MBE, published by The War Office 1955 ↩︎