Inter-pier transfer of cargo was avoided whenever possible by berthing incoming shipping so that units could load directly into assault shipping. Unfortunately, this could not be done in some instances, since the LST landing was outside but adjacent to the pier area.
Facilities for the embarkation of the Brigade at Pusan were satisfactory, with pier space for three APAs and one AKA at one pier and an LSD at another. All of the assigned LSTs could beach simultaneously along the sea wall.
Only Marine amphibious experience enabled the Division to complete its tremendous task at Kobe in spite of the time lost as a result of Typhoon JANE. The shipping tentatively assigned by X Corps consisted of one AGC, six APAs, eight AKAs, three LSDs, one LSM, three APDs, 12 LSUs, and 47 LSTs. This last figure included 17 Navy-manned and 30 SCAJAP (Japanese-manned) LSTs. The troop list of approximately 29,000 men was broken down by the Division into the following six embarkation groups with their assigned shipping:
| Embarkation group | Principal units | Shipping |
| ABLE | Divisional Troops | 1 AGC |
| 1st CSG | 2 APAs | |
| 5 AKAs | ||
| 9 LSTs | ||
| 1 LSM | ||
| 3 LSUs (towed to objective area by tugs) | ||
| BAKER | 1st Marine (Reinf) | 1 APA |
| 1st Amtrac Bn | 12 LSTs | |
| CHARLIE | 5th Marines (Reinf) | 3 APAs |
| 73d Tank Bn, USA | 12 LSTs | |
| 3 APDs | ||
| 1 LSD w/3 LSUs | ||
| DOG | 11th Marines | 1 AKA |
| 6 LSTs | ||
| EASY | 1st Tank Bn | 2 LSDs w/3 LSUs each |
| 4 LSTs (later increased to 6) | ||
| FOX | 2d Engr Spec Brig, USA | 1 AKA |
| 96th FA Bn, USA | 4 LSTs |
Four of these groups were to embark from Kobe while CHARLIE mounted out from Pusan and FOX from Yokohama, Yokosuka, and Camp McGill in Japan.[115] The main body of the Division’s third rifle regiment, the 7th Marines, was scheduled to land in Japan on 17 September. Colonel Litzenberg, the commanding officer, arrived at Itami Airfield on the 6th, having flown from Camp Pendleton ahead of his troops to make arrangements.
[115] 1st MarDiv SAR, sec. 1, and Annex Jig; O. P. Smith, Notes, 102, 117–119.
Movement to the Objective Area
Command relationships during the assault and embarkation phase were as follows:
+---------+
| CinCFE |
+----+----+
|
+----+----+
|ComNavFE |
+----+----+
|
+----+----+
| CJTF-7 |
+----+----+
|
+---------+--------+
| |
+-----+----+ +-----+-----+
| CTF-90 | |CG X Corps |
+-----+----+ +-----+-----+
| |
+---------+---------+--------+--------+
| | |
+------+-------+ +-------+------+ +------+-------+
| ComPhibGru-1 | |CG 7th Inf Div| |CG 1st Mar Div|
+--------------+ +--------------+ +--------------+
The movement of JTF-7 to the objective area was planned in the most exacting detail, owing to the dispersion of the ships to begin with, the need for secrecy, and the limited time. Another complication entered the picture at the last minute, when a second typhoon loomed on the Pacific horizon with considerably more menace than its exotic name would imply.