Port Battalions, Companies and Platoons at Island Farm

TOP SECRET - May 1944

Despite this rare important find, I have been unable to find any more information about these units being based at Island Farm and for how long. However, immediately prior to D-Day (June 6th 1944) I would have expected these units to have departed.

From the list we can see the following units

• 299th Port Company (3 Platoon)
• 518th Port Battalion ( H/H Detachment) - Likely stands for 518th Port Battalion (Port Ba) Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (H/H Det) - The command and administrative unit of the battalion, overseeing large scale port operations, logistics and personnel management.
• 300th Port Company (Platoon) - (A platoon is smaller subdivision within the company, typically consisting of several squads that carried out specific duties like cargo handling, equipment transport or logistical support.
• 298th Port Company (3 Platoon)
• 300th Port Company (Platoon)
• 300th Port Company (2nd Platoon)
• 301st Port Company (Platoon)
• 519 Port Battalion (H/H Detachment)
• 301st Port Company (2 Platoon)
• 302nd Port Company (2 Platoon)
• 301st Port Company (Detachment)
• 302nd Port Company (Detachment)
• 304th Port Company (3 Platoon)
• 305th Port Company (3 Platoon)
• 282nd Port Company (1 Platoon)

These were logistics units in the U.S. Army during World War II, responsible for managing the uploading and distribution of supplies and equipment at port facilities. These didnt serve under a a tradition combat division they operated under the Transportation Corps.

On D-Day June 6th 1944 the Port Company, a component of a Port Battalion, landed on Utah Beach. Their mission was to establish and manage supply postions to support the advancing Allied Forces.

Battalion Level

• Port Battalions (e.g., 518th Port Battalion)
• Usually commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel
• Consisted of several port companies
• Managed large-scale port operations, including unloading cargo from ships, transporting supplies, and organizing logistics

Company Level

• Port Companies (e.g., 300th Port Company)
• Commanded by a Captain
• Typically contained several platoons
• Handled specific tasks like unloading ships, warehouse operations, and moving supplies to frontline units

Platoon Level

• Platoons (sub-units of a Port Company)
• Led by a Lieutenant
• Contained several squads
• Assigned to specific duties such as handling cranes, managing storage areas, or driving trucks

Squad Level

• Squads (smallest unit)
• Led by a Sergeant
• Typically 8-12 soldiers
• Focused on specific tasks like unloading a ship's cargo hold or operating forklifts

Example Breakdown 518th Port Battalion

• Made up of 4-6 Port Companies (e.g., 300th, 301st, 302nd, etc.)
• Each Port Company had 3-4 Platoons
• Each Platoon had several Squad