Doyle, David US Landing Craft of World War II. Band 2: The LCT, LSM, and LST

This second of two volumes on American landing crafts of World War II focuses on the larger LCT, LSM, LCS(L)(3), and LST vessels that transported tanks and heavy equipment to the shores of North Africa and Normandy and throughout the Pacific. The need for massive numbers of landing craft capable of disgorging huge numbers of troops and equipment was predicted by the U.S. Army in 1940. Later, the British army estimated that over 2000 of such vessels would be required for the assault on Europe. The U.S. launched a building campaign to produce these seagoing craft, turning primarily to shipyards and manufacturers located along the American rivers. Ultimately many of these continued to serve the nation's need through Vietnam. Some were even heavily laden with rocket launchers and used for close-in support for troops going ashore.

The British army later estimated that over 2000 such ships would be needed for the attack on Europe. The US launched a campaign to produce these seagoing vessels, primarily targeting shipyards and manufacturers along American rivers. Ultimately, many of these specialised landing craft served the American military well into the Vietnam War. Some were even armed with missile batteries and served as close support for troops going ashore.