Empire Javelin, D-Day Assault Ship

Empire Javelin an American-built LSI (Landing Ship, Infantry) in Royal Navy service, played an important role on D-Day. She carried 5 companies of 1st Battalion 116th Regiment including the famous Bedford Boys over the Channel to France where the majority were killed that morning. Philip Bujak has traced the journeys of that fateful morning of many of the men on board the Empire Javelin which personalizes the story of the ship. He has also many personal witness accounts of her sinking from those who were on board when she exploded in December of 1944 and sank within sight of the cemetery on Omaha beach.

Drawing heavily on first-hand accounts, the author covers the actions of the ship herself and of the landing craft launched from her in great detail. One third of her landing craft were lost in the first wave alone. He also reveals Empire Javelin’s earlier life, from design and construction, through launch and training. Similarly, he relates her service after that fateful day in June 1944, when she continued to ferry troops across the Channel for several months. The events surrounding her sinking in December 1944, either by U-boat or a mine, while laden with troops, are also fully examined. The author’s skillful narrative is supported by archive photos, the whole forming a fitting testament to the contribution of Empire Javelin and ships like her, which, though less glamorous than battleships and destroyers, played a vital role in Operation Overlord and the liberation of Europe.