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Early invasion forces - Roman, Viking and Norman - used the
ordinary ships of the day which were capable of being drawn
up onto beaches. Later on ships boats were used. In preparation
for his abortive invasion of Britain in 1805 Napoleon had
constructed and massed hundreds of special flat bottomed barges
in the French channel ports, and Hitler did the same in 1940.
For D-Day, in 1944, the Allies - Britain and America, built
many different types of ships and craft, designed especially
to land tanks, vehicles and men directly onto beaches defended
by an active enemy.
This is a brief description of some of the main types.
Landing Ship Tank (LST)
These were the largest special ships to be built that
could put their bows directly onto the beach, open their bow
doors and lower a ramp. Of about 5,000 tons, they could land
a squadron of tanks or a large number of other vehicles. Portland
Harbour was crammed with these before D-Day loading tanks
and transport of the US 1st Division.
Landing Ships Infantry (LSI)
These were converted cross channel ferries and other similar
ships of the size. They could not beach directly, but they
carried a number of smaller assault landing craft that could
ferry soldiers to the beach.
Landing Craft Tank (LCT)
These were the smallest vessels that could carry a number
of tanks, a squadron of 12. They were open decked and had
just a bow ramp, no doors. Being smaller they could get in
closer on shallow beaches than the LSTs.
Landing Craft Infantry (LCI)
These were the largest craft used for the infantry that could
be beached. They had a ladder type ramp on each side of the
bow for the soldiers to reach the beach.
Landing Craft Mechanised (LCM)
This was a small craft that could carry one tank, or two other
vehicles. This could be carried on the decks of an LST.
Landing Craft Vehicle/Personnel (LCVP)
This was a small American one-engined craft that could carry
either a jeep or an infantry platoon of about 30 men. About
ten to a dozen of these were carried by each LSI instead of
lifeboats.
Landing Craft Assault (LCA)
This was the British equivalent of the LCVP. It had two engines,
was faster and also could carry a platoon, but no vehicle
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