Cyril M. Pombier
Email: cypombier<at>comcast.net
(or possibly cy.pombier<at>comcast.net )
Comments: My brother, Edward Pombier served as
a Medic [Pharmacy mate 3rd class] on LST 376 that was sunk on the way back
to Plymouth in the English Channel. He and two crew were able to spend
the night near the 'fantail stabilizer'. They had been ordered to 'abandon
ship' but since it was night, and COLD, they waited for almost dawn when
the LST was shifting as if sinking. They heard a ship near and slid into
the water. The life vests were equipped with whistle and small flashlights
to signal. They were picked up by an English destroyer (1). Eddie
believes the two with him were, Ed [P] Finkelstine from [sp] Pantucket,RI
and 'Smite' Smith.
Eddie told me, on a tape I made about 20 years
ago.
[His schedule included:]
Plymouth, welded additional tracks into cargo
area, racks for wounded before port. Eddie told me they carried a umber
of Combat engineers.]
Left June 5th, returned because of weather.
Left June 5th, evening/morning?
Landed on Omaha Beach, Red Dog area. Unloaded
supplies and filled boat with wounded. ' Eddie earlier told about small
boats rowed to-from beach to get wounded, but did not include this item
in this recording.
Filled , started back to Plymouth.
Were torpedoed by a German S boat in the channel.
Eddie was taking a cigarette break on deck when
they were hit. He had been working with a 3 person surgical unit. They
were climbing towards the deck when an officer closed the hatch. At one
time [Not on this tape] he told me he was threatened by a side-arm for
trying to open the hatch. The same officer had told them to go into the
water when he decided to stay on the LST.
Do you have any information about Crew, other
Survivors [If any]?
I have more information, if it will be of any
interest?
Eddie was given 'survivors leave' to return home.
He was transferred into the Marines as a Medic for them. He served during
the cleanup period at Siapan and with the Second Marines with the invasion
of [sp] Iwo Jema. I think on a LSTH, then with a unit on the island.
Eddie reenlisted in the Army after a year at home
after the war. He transferred to the Airforce after their split with the
Army, so he served for 26 years in with all four branches...not many have
done this!
Eddie has been gone for over 15 years, I'm glad
I found his tape.
Cy Pombier
cy.pombier<at>comcast.net
Jackson, MI
Notes
1) This was HMS
Beagle
Wed Oct 03 2007
Marie Jones (for L.C. Jones)
jonesdiss<at>earthlink.net
LST 376
I believe my father was one of the other crew on the fantail of this
ship. I've recently found out that he was on the ship, and this story fits
the one we always heard. My father died in 1995.
Jan 26th 2007
name: Suzanne Johnson
ship: LST 376
Email: suzz54<at>comcast.net
Comments: I am looking for information and photos of crew on the LST
376. My Uncle. Michael H. Andalora was Machinest Mate 2nd Class was killed
abandoning the ship. His brother told me he was shot when he came on deck
as he was abandoning the ship. This was told to him by surviors on board.
Can anyone confirm this? He is listed on the Wall of the Missing in Normandy.
