American DUKW Operation in Mumbles and Gower
By John Powell
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Including operations at Caswell, Oxwich and Port Eynon Bays
Table of Contents
GI Peter Sloboda, 280th Port Bat. at Southend, Mumbles, 1944
The GIs arrived
The GIs arrived
This article is another view of the 'Friendly Invation' by the Yanks, which took place in October 1943, when 'South Gower become part of a D-Day training area for Landing Operations.
The amphibious truck, DUKW often called a 'Duck' was a major part of the invasion plan as it offered a unique solution to the problem of delivering supplies to the beachhead.
American Army DUKWs or 'Ducks' were also operated post-war
American Army DUKWs or 'Ducks' were also operated post-war
This photo of the Mumbles Train, just happens to include one such DUKW, MT 7, while on the beach, in front of Oystermouth Railway Station, which closed in January 1960.
Austin Taylor, pictured while driving the DUKW, was also the mechanic and Uncle of Terry Peters, who supplied these photos.
Austin Taylor, the driver and mechanic of the DUKW (or Duck). Photo: Terry Peters.
On the right is my Aunt, Beatrice Taylor (née Peters). From her right, are daughters, Pat Taylor, Jean Taylor and friend Betty. Photo: Terry Peters.
Several DUKWs 'Duck' were bought by locals from the American Army and operated post-war in this area for many years. Terry Peters has revealed that this DUKW or 'Duck' was owned by Arthur Birt, who used to give pleasure rides, around Swansea, Caswell, Langland and other Bays. Terry, remembers travelling on this 'Duck' at the end of the 1940s. The 'Duck' was driven and maintained by Terry's uncle, Austin Taylor, who was a mechanic. Arthur Birt owned a bakery and several restaurants over the years, as well as The Langland Court Hotel.
Terry thought that this 'Duck' may have been bought by John Pressdee, from Arthur Birt.
In the early 1950s, the editor, John Powell, remembers travelling on a 'Duck' which was giving rides around Langland Bay, but has no idea who owned it.
Pam Thirwell noted: 'I remember going on one at the Slip sands.
David Edwards said: 'A local, Ronnie Gammon, had one of those 'Ducks' and he used to go out over the sand on low tide, to dig deep moorings for local boat owners. He was a great character and nothing would get in his way.
Andy Smith added: 'By the 60s, I think, that well known 'influencer' Max had got hold of a DUKW, sometimes seen in Langland blowing thick blue smoke, and often didn't get home to Swansea without breaking down.'
Gower welcomed the 5th Engineer Special Brigade, which had over 7,400 officers other ranks attached to it in about 28 seperate companies, Engineers, Transport, 'Duck Drivers', Port Units, Ammunition, Medical, etc. It had the task of delivering a complete Division of American troops from Shore to Shore during Operation OVERLORD. It was responsible for supplying all stores, ammunition and personnel for the division.
American DUKW Operation
American DUKW Operation
The American Camps in the south west of Gower
Training at Caswell Bay
Training at Caswell Bay
Amphibious truck companies were sent for training at Caswell Bay valley, where they were instructed in all aspects of loading, unloading, daily maintenance and driving the six wheel amphibious trucks DUKW, over land and water.
A modification of the 2-ton "deuce", the DUKW amphibious truck was designed in 1942 by a team that included a British sailor, an American yacht builder and an MIT engineer. Its official name was the DUKW Amphibious Vehicle but to the American G.I.s, it was the "Duck".
Our gang (all three or four of us) watched training with DUKWs, an amphibious truck, we called a 'Duck,' on Caswell Bay and spied on their vehicle parks up the valley, and the lowering of the flag in the early evening. John Sutherland
Caswell Valley, the site of the American Army DUKW ('Duck') Park
Caswell Valey Chalets today
'There were some huts down in the main DUKW park where the holiday chalets are now. There was a flagpole down there too and lowered the flag at sundown'. John Sutherland
The Main camp? I reckon that there was the ‘main camp’ up by Twoomey’s riding school on the cliff. I can recall going up there and there was a gate and guards with guns. There were huts and some kind of a, probably fairly porous, perimeter fence. . It is believed there was a tented encampment next to the Church Hall. There were the Underhill park huts.
They must of gone to Newton Garage to fill up with petrol, as one of their 'Ducks' knocked down the wall of the garage at some time.
Training at Oxwich Bay, Gower
Training at Oxwich Bay, Gower
Video of DUKW ('Duck') Operations at Oxwich
Video of DUKW ('Duck') Operations at Oxwich
An American Army video of a DUKW ('Duck') Exercise, bivouac and at Penarth docks, South Wales
Link to the original wartime video - https://youtu.be/9Go-eCwHiMo
Entitled - 6th BEACH BN. CAMP ACTIVITIES; LST IS LOADED, PENARTH, WALES
A screenshot of the video
The same scene today
A screenshot of the video - 'Duck' (DUKW) exercise
A screenshot of the video -Bivouac
Narow Gower lanes and solitute at Oxwich Bay. Photos: from Ronald Studden
Oxwixh Bay car park, 1950s Photo: Ronald Studden
In the 1950s, the entrance to the car park at Oxwich was opposite what is now the hotel. The car park was surfaced with perforated steel matting (Marston Matting) and a few sheets are shown in this photo. It was used in wartime to make roads, airfield runways or even car parks.
More uTube videos
DUKW 'Duck' - A Vital Machine in the Allied Amphibious Victories
https://youtu.be/iaXWpmkohzQ
Inside the Chieftain's Hatch: DUKW
https://youtu.be/0t8Fk7Fszwc
Training at Port Eynon Bay, Gower
Training at Port Eynon Bay, Gower
Port Eynon Bay and Horton Beach were idea places for the planned Amphibious Exercises
An aerial view of a practice landing with 'Ducks' at Port Eynon, 9th March 1944.
Two GIs, Jack Liddets and Jack Frank, on Horton Beach, alongside a 'Duck' (DUKW) during landing training for D Day. Photo:: Betty Lewis
'Ducks' landed supplies and 'many K rations' wer left behind.
Practice Landings, on 5th & 6th April 1944
As a boy this was all exciting and I watched all the practice landings from LSTs and LCTs and other craft. The DUKWs transported stores etc. and the fields between Horton and Porteynon were full of containers as such.
The offloading was proceeded by troops being landed to attack and troops on mainland to defend. [Our lawn was constantly being dug up for foxholes], wrote David Tucker
American troops enjoy a cup of tea, photo Betty Lewiis
The GIs relax with families at Horton, photo Betty Lewis
“No-one was allowed on the beach when the Americans were here as they were training for the D-Day landings. The ‘Yanks’, as they were known, certainly made their presence felt at the time.
Their smart uniforms endeared themselves to the locals, and children revelled in their gifts of ration-restricted items such as pineapples, chocolate and Hershey chocolate bars.' Richard Lewis
Richard Lewis, aged 2, in 1944
Oxwich Bay
Oxwich Bay
The amphibious training exercises included Oxwich Bay, in addition to Port Eynon.
Many of the engineers & soldiers who supplied material to the men at the front, and enabled the invasion to take place, were trained in Gower.
Which American Units were here?
Which American Units were here?
The 5th Engineer Special Brigade was the main unit training in Mumbles, Swansea and Gower, which included around 27 seperate companies, Engineers, Transport, 'Duck Drivers', Port Units, Ammunition, Medical, etc. totaling 7,500 men.
There were also the 28th Inf Div.about 25,000 strong spread through West Wales. [NOT the 2nd Inf Div Here for a only few weeks from May 1944 although the 29th Inf Div was here for a short time in November 1944].
Manoeuvres in Gower
Manoeuvres in Gower
643RD MEDICAL CLEARING COMPANY
Annual Report of the 643rd Medical Clearing Company Activities for the calendar year ending 31 December 1944.Operations: “Normandy” 6 June 1944 to 24 June 1944 and “Northern France” 25 July 1944 to 14 September 1944.(1) Mission: To provide definitive surgical care to casualties and to provide holding facilities for casualties to be evacuated by sea and air to the UK.In preparation for “Operation Neptune” the “37th Beach Group” was attached to the “16th Combat Team” of the 1st Infantry Division. The “348th Beach Group” was attached to the “18th Combat Team” of the 1st Infantry Division, these combat teams were part of “Force O”. These companies were to treat and evacuate casualties on the beach controlled by the First Division; anticipated casualties for the first 48 hours was 4200 of which approximately one third would be killed.EXTRACT Training in UK
Manoeuvres
(a) 11 January 1944 to 7 February 1944: 1st Platoon combined amphibious manoeuvres, 5th ESB, Bristol Channel, Oxwich Bay and Port Eynon, Glamorgan, South Wales.
(b) 8 February 1944 to 2 March 1944: 2d Platoon, combined amphibious manoeuvres, 5th ESB, Bristol Channel, Oxwich Bay and Port Eynon, Glamorgan, South Wales.
(c) 11 March 1944 to 14 March 1944; 1st Platoon, combined amphibious manoeuvres, V Corps, English Channel, Slapton Sands Manoeuvre Area, England.
(d) 5 April 1944 to 6 April 1944: Combined amphibious manoeuvres, 5th ESB, Bristol Channel, Oxwich Bay and Port Eynon, Glamorgan, South Wales.
(e) 4 May 1944 to 8 May 1944; Combined amphibious manoeuvres First U S Army, “Fabius”, English Channel, Slapton Sands Manoeuvre Area, England.
(7) Foot Marches:
(a) 7 February 1944; 1st Platoon, 16 miles from Camp Scurlage Castle to Camp Mynydd Lliw, (Grovesend) Glamorgan, South Wales.
(b) 7 February 1944: 2d Platoon, 16 miles front Camp Mynydd Lliw (Grovesend) to Camp Scurlage Castle, Glamorgan, South Wales.
(c) 2 March 1944: 2d Platoon, 16 miles from Camp Scurlage Castle to Camp Mynydd Lliw,(Grovesend) Glamorgan, South Wales.
Acknowledgements
Memories: David Tucker, Richard Lewis, John Sutherland
Photos: Betty Lewis
Dedicated to the American Forces who lived and trained in Mumbles, Caswell and surrounding areas
NEW BOOK
NEW BOOK
by Phil Howells
by Phil Howells
Published on Amazon to coincide with the 76th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings, the biggest amphibious operation in history
American Army 'Ducks' (DUKW) were operated post-war
American Army 'Ducks' (DUKW) were operated post-war
Several 'Ducks' (DUKW) were bought by locals from the American Army and operated post-war in this area for many years.
This photo of the Mumbles Train, just happens to include one such DUKW,
MT 7, while on the beach, in front of Oystermouth Railway Station, which closed in January 1960.
Terry Peters, has revealed that this 'Duck' was owned by Arthur Birt, Arthur used to give rides, and Terry, remembers travelling on this 'Duck' from Swansea Beach at the end of the 1940s. The 'Duck' was driven and maintained by Terry's uncle, Austin Taylor, who was a talented mechanic.
Terry thought that this 'Duck' may have been bought by John Pressdee, from Arthur Birt.
An enlargement of the 'Duck' (DUKW).
In the early 1950s, the editor, John Powell, remembers travelling on, One 'Duck' which was giving rides around Langland Bay, but has no idea who it was owned by.
Arthur Birt owned a bakery and several restaurants over the years, as well as The Langland Court Hotel (where my wife Carol and I were married in 1964).
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