Us Boats Storming Normandy: An Overview

The invasion of Normandy, known as the largest amphibious invasion in history, saw the use of various types of landing craft to carry troops, vehicles, and supplies from ship to shore. One of the most famous and widely used landing craft during this operation was the LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle, Personnel), also known as the Higgins Boat. Designed by Andrew Higgins, the LCVP played a crucial role in the success of the D-Day landings and the liberation of Europe.

The LCVP, or Higgins boat

The LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel), or Higgins boat, was a landing craft used extensively by the Allied forces during World War II amphibious landings. The boat was designed by Andrew Higgins, a shipbuilder from New Orleans.

Higgins initially designed and manufactured shallow-water workboats to support oil and gas exploration in the Louisiana bayous. However, in the late 1930s, the U.S. military began developing small boats that could carry troops from ships to open beaches. Recognising the potential, Higgins adapted his "Eureka Boat" design to meet the military's specifications. The result was the LCVP, a shallow-draft, barge-like boat typically constructed from plywood.

The Higgins boat was approximately 36 feet long and 11 feet wide. It was powered by a 225-horsepower diesel engine and could reach speeds of up to 12 knots (14 mph). The boat could carry a platoon of 36 fully armed combat troops, or a 6,000-pound vehicle, or 8,000 pounds of cargo. The troops or cargo could be unloaded via a retractable bow ramp at the front of the boat, allowing direct access to the beach. This design feature was inspired by Japanese landing craft observed during the 1937 Battle of Shanghai.

The LCVP played a crucial role in the D-Day landings at Normandy on June 6, 1944. Thousands of these boats were used to land American and Commonwealth troops on the beaches of Northern France. According to Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the success of the Normandy invasion and the liberation of Europe depended on vessels like the LCVP:

> "If Higgins had not designed and built those LCVPs, we never could have landed over an open beach. The whole strategy of the war would have been different."

Indeed, the Higgins boat revolutionised amphibious warfare. Prior to its introduction, large-scale seaborne invasions typically required the capture of large ports and harbours, which were often heavily fortified. With the LCVP, armies could be deployed on any stretch of shoreline, forcing defending armies to spread their forces across entire coastlines.

In total, over 23,000 Higgins boats were built during World War II, and they saw action in all theatres of the war, including the Pacific, the Mediterranean, and Normandy.

The LCP(L)

The LCVP was constructed from plywood, with a steel ramp at the front. It was powered by a 225-horsepower Gray Marine 6-71 diesel engine and could travel at a maximum speed of 12 knots (14 mph). The boat was around 36 ft (11 m) long and 11 ft (3.4 m) wide, and could carry 36 fully armed combat troops or a 6,000-8,000-pound vehicle. It was typically operated by a crew of four and armed with a pair of .30-caliber machine guns.

The Higgins boat was used extensively by the Allied forces in World War II, including during the Normandy invasion on D-Day. Its shallow draft and manoeuvrability made it ideal for amphibious landings, and its ability to run up onto the shoreline was crucial to the success of the Normandy invasion.

The LCV

The design of the LCVP was based on boats used in swamps and marshes, with a barge-like shape and a drop-down bow ramp at the front for easy unloading of troops and equipment. The hull of the boat was made from plywood, oak, pine, and mahogany, which reduced weight and increased capacity, but also made the boat vulnerable to enemy fire. The LCVP was typically operated by a crew of four and was armed with a pair of .30-caliber machine guns.

The production of the LCVP was a significant undertaking, with over 23,000 of these boats built during World War II. Andrew Higgins' company, Higgins Industries, played a pivotal role in this effort, employing over 20,000 workers by 1943 and integrating its workforce, which included people of different races, genders, and abilities. The LCVP's design and production not only contributed to the success of the Normandy invasion but also had a lasting impact on military strategy and tactics.

The LCA

• LBs (landing barges)
• LCCs (landing craft, control)
• LCIs (landing craft, infantry)
• LCMs (landing craft, mechanized)
• LCSs (landing craft, support)
• LCTs (landing craft, tank)
• LCVPs (landing craft, vehicles and personnel)
• LVTs (landing vehicles, tracked)

The LCVP, or Higgins boat, was the most famous of these and was used extensively by the Allied forces in amphibious landings during World War II. The boat was designed by Andrew Higgins, who based it on boats made for operating in swamps and marshes. The LCVP was typically constructed from plywood and was barge-like, with a shallow draft. It could ferry around 36 men at 12 knots (14 mph; 22 km/h). Its plywood construction offered limited protection from enemy fire but reduced weight and increased capacity. The LCVP's ramp allowed troops to disembark quickly and directly onto the beach, rather than having to climb over the side of the boat.

The LCT

The Landing Craft Tank (LCT) was a crucial component of the D-Day invasion, with 873 LCTs involved in delivering troops and equipment to the five beaches of Normandy. These flat-bottomed boats were notoriously challenging to steer in strong winds or currents, but their ability to beach themselves made them essential for transporting heavy cargo.

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