LCVP Boat Section (UBX08) with three Landing Craft with crew, three Mounted 24-man Boat Sections & six Small bases. The Dieppe raid in 1942 taught the Allies many lessons on invading beaches while under fire. Later, after the successes in North Africa, Sicily and Italy the Allies felt they were ready to take on Fortress Europa. Careful study of the defences along the coast showed them there were weaknesses inherent in its structure, and, if the men had the right equipment and training, exploiting those weaknesses was possible. Any invading force would have to overcome wire, minefields, and bunkers if it was to be successful. Thus the planners set about to create the perfect mix of men, equipment and training. The US Army now embarked on a program of reorganising and training the infantry formations that would assault the beaches. After careful study, an organisation began to take shape in the minds of the planners. Starting with the basic infantry company of three combat platoons and one weapons platoon, the force designers sought to create multiple independent organisations. This organisation had to be able to act on its own without further company level support. Furthermore, it had to be able to fight its way through wire obstacles, overcome enemy infantry and destroy enemy bunkers.