USS Bayfield – Battle of Normandy

USS Bayfield history

USS Bayfield is a C3 type freighter formerly known as Sea Bass. Re-armed in November 1943 to become an assault transport, it is able to accommodate no less than 12 LCVP landing craft, 4 LCM, 3 LCP (L), 1,500 troops and 5,500 tons of cargo.

Used as a flagship vessel heading to Utah Beach in, USS Bayfield carried Rear Admiral Don P. Moon, commander of Task Force 125, as well as General J. Lawton Collins, commander of the US 7th Corps. She left the port of Plymouth on June 5 in the evening and reached his meeting point at 2:30 am on June 6, 1944, only 18 kilometers from Utah. A few hours later, the soldiers embarked on board landing craft which headed towards the shore.

During the fighting in Normandy, USS Bayfield was used as a command and supply ship, redirecting German prisoners and caring for the wounded. She ceased his mission in the English Channel on June 25th.

Shen then took part in Operation Anvil-Dragoon (Provence landing), employed in Task Force 87.

USS Bayfield technical sheet

Creator/User: United States of America
Denomination: C3 USS Bayfield
Class: C3 freighter

Crew: 480 sailors

Armament (1944): 2x 127 mm guns, 6x 40 mm guns, 18x anti-aircraft 20 mm guns

Transport capacity: 12 LCVP, 4 LCM, 3 LCP(L), 1,500 soldiers and 5,500 tons of material.

Displacement : 16,100 tons
Speed: 21 knots
Length: 150 m
Beam: 21 m
Draught: 8 m