LCT 1043 Info

This page is a mirror of the web page first put up by Sunset Hayes on the LST 996 web site.

I thank Mrs. Dore Rhyme ( Hummel ) for her permission to post her father's history on our

site and Sunset Hayes for her page design, I only changed the background and updated the links.

Information and photos were donated for use by Captain Paul Hummel, who was Skipper aboard the LCT 1043 when it road piggy back to Bizerte, Africa on the LST 996. Information below is based on a series of some Email exchanges. Paul Hummel retired in 1974 with the rank of Captain.

Name	Rank	Position	From	Email/Service#
Hummel, Paul L.	Ensign	Skipper, LCT 1043
Anderson, Robert Myron	S2c			890-39-27
Anderson, Thornton R.	S2c			757-96-28
Flynn, Harley Lincoln	S2c			931-72-42
Gates Jr., Frank (n)	S2c			560-96-00
Laaksonen,Visa Alvar	S2c		Rutland, VT	825-44-76
McCay, J D	S2c			838-17-83
Orlowski, Frank John	F1c			896-36-66
Partain, Willie Martin	S2c			966-15-96
Peters, Rolland Faye	SC2/c	Cook		668-08-87
Soulia, Harold Minus	F1c	Seaman		801-08-27
Strunck, Harold Lewis	F1c			813-89-24
Note: Names were provided courtesy of Al Hunter, from Deck Log, dated Monday, 19 June 1944

My LCT was the (6) 1043. The (6) is the Mark 6 LCT as the Navy calls it or really the model. The Mark 5 LCT had the deck house or quarters across the stern, and was the earlier model. The (6) had the deck houses on both sides making it possible to "marry" with an LST. That allowed the LST to anchor with it's stern anchor, and then the LCT would position itself with it's stern at the bow ramp of the LST. The idea was to allow the off loading of tanks vehicles, etc. onto the LCT for transport ashore.

Wow, we did it once off the coast of France after the invasion, and took a huge tank aboard. It was an almost impossible task to get the LCT backed up to the LST ramp and a bad idea from some guy in design part of the Navy ?? It could get pretty rough water outside the breakwater at Marseilles, and we had to abort off loading cargo ships there a few times. Our taking of cargo ashore from all size ships went on 24 hours a day for quite a long time after the invasion. Once finished in France we (a group of LCTs) made our way back to North Africa to be loaded for transport back to the US from the port of Oran. That was in December 1944 I believe ? I have a picture of the LCTs en-route and it is almost comical now !

"Passed by Navy Censors" Yes some kind of pro kits were available and most of my crew had a "hickey" on their necks from the same gal in town?? Yes I noticed background screens. No, I don't know where LST 996 was ported I don't think, but I will look again at the Page. I have copies of the menu, instructions to liberty parties etc.

Hummel on a full deck load of 55 gallon gasoline drums being unloaded on beach at Marseilles

Another shot of LCT 1043...the open hatch is to the Skippers quarters

<< If you have any photos... >>

Yes I do have some pictures of the LCT 1043 and the crew while we were in France after the invasion. I will find and scan then and send along for your site. No I really don't remember any of the crew or officers of the LST 996, except I did remember the name Leach. I stood watches on the LST 996 as an Ensign, as we made our way to Europe, so my mind just doesn't serve me well. I am 76 now and live in Newport Beach, California. I do remember after the " launch" of the LCT 1043 in Bizerte, I had to jump into the water to get a line on it for some reason. After that I was in the sick bay for a couple of days... Polluted water there I am sure.

Five crew members of LCT 1043 as they took a load of cargo from a Merchant Ship

Hummel & unidentified crew member with cargo being loaded from a Merchant Ship

The locals were no doubt selling the worst they had ?? We found the French civilians to have money but food was very scarce for them; as we encountered them soon after D-Day August 15, 1944. The climate there was much like Southern California. Russian woman soldiers were guarding German prisoners along the waterfront. Those Russian women were tough broads, I'll tell you. I was a 21 year old Ensign and the members of my "crew" which usually was about 18 men were as young as 18 and as old as 30. It was a real chore to keep them in line with all the "attractions" that existed in town! I visited Marseilles about 10 years ago and it hasn't changed much.. A real dingy seaport place and not indicative of the Riviera Coast often publicized. I am sure the LST 996 carried another LCT to the Pacific theater.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PERSONNEL ON
LIBERTY IN KURE - HIRO AREA

1. There will be a large number of men ashore at the same time at both Kure and Hiro, morning and afternoon. The morning party will arrive at 0830 and leave at 1100, the afternoon party 1330 - 1600.

2. You are to remain in the same, either Hiro or Kure, to which you were sent, since the road between the two localities is bad and Army traffic heavy.

3. U.S. Navy Shore Patrol will work in conjunction with Army Military Police. You will obey directions of both.

4. No alcoholic beverages will be brought ashore or used if obtained ashore. Do not under any circumstances drink Jap beverages of any kind. It has been found that much of the Jap beer and Saki contains poison.

5. No U.S. currency will be brought ashore for use in these areas.

6. It is permitted to purchase souvenirs with Jap currency, but bartering is strictly prohibited. No items of military equipment may be purchased or commandeered. You will be inspected before leaving the area and any items of military equipment such as rifles, pistols, helmets, bayonets, Samurai swords, ammunition,

etc. will be taken by the Shore Patrol, and the names of men from whom such articles are taken will be sent to their commanding officer for disciplinary action.

7. It is prohibited to enter any private Jap dwelling. DO NOT FRATERNIZE. Conduct yourself in a distant and military manner toward them. Fraternizing is defined as joking, carousing, or carrying on in other than a business like manner on terms of friendliness and equality.

8. You are directed not to gang up in large groups, but to wander about by yourselves, or in twos or threes. The reason for this is in order not to block roads, cause disturbances, etc.

9. Stay clear of U.S. Army work in progress and Supply Depots. There are several Supply dumps containing U.S. Government, and confiscated Japanese property. You are to stay clear of all these spaces. In case of doubt - Don't touch.

10. It is permitted to ride on streetcars provided fare is duly paid, but you are forbidden to hitchhike or accept rides from individual Japs.

11. Upon returning to the docking area you will be inspected by Shore Patrol and checking of souvenirs will be conducted with each man. When your boat is announced approach the gangway in single file.

12. There will be a First Aid Station at the Navy Shore Patrol. Headquarters near the dock. Shore Patrol Personnel can direct you. The First Aid Station will also be used as a prophylactic station.

13. You are permitted to bring ashore only 1 package of cigarettes and 5 cigars per man.

KEEP THIS PAPER WITH YOU. IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE FOR BEING STUPID.