The Boats That Brought Soldiers To Shore In Wwii

During World War II, a variety of landing craft were used to transport soldiers, vehicles, and supplies from ship to shore. One of the most notable landing craft was the Higgins Boat, also known as the LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel). Designed by Andrew Jackson Higgins, the LCVP was a small vessel made of plywood and steel, with a crew of four men. It played a crucial role in amphibious operations, including the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, where it was used in great numbers to transport troops and equipment.

The LCVP was designed to address the limitations of earlier landing craft, such as the LCP(L) (Landing Craft, Personnel Large), which required troops to exit over the sides, exposing them to hostile fire. The LCVP introduced a front steel ramp, allowing for the direct unloading of troops and vehicles onto shore. This innovation revolutionized amphibious warfare, enabling Allied armies to choose their attack points along a wider stretch of shoreline and giving them a strategic advantage.

In addition to the LCVP, other types of landing craft used during World War II included the LST (Landing Ship, Tank), LCI(L) (Landing Craft, Infantry Large), LCT(6) (Landing Craft, Tank Mark 6), and the DUKW, an amphibious truck. These vessels varied in size and capacity, each serving specific purposes during amphibious assaults.

The Higgins Boat

Design and Features:

One of the most distinctive features of the Higgins Boat was its front ramp, which allowed infantry or small vehicles to exit quickly. This was a significant improvement over earlier landing craft designs, where troops had to jump over the side, exposing themselves to hostile fire. The boat could carry a platoon of approximately 36 men, a jeep and a 12-man squad, or 8,000 pounds of cargo.

Production and Use:

Impact and Legacy:

Post-War Use:

After World War II, the Higgins Boat continued to see action in various conflicts, including the Korean War during the Battle of Incheon and the 1958 Lebanon crisis. Today, only a few Higgins Boats survive, often with modifications for post-war use. Some have been restored and are on display in museums, preserving the legacy of this iconic World War II landing craft.

The LCVP

The Higgins boat was constructed using plywood and steel, reducing costs but also compromising armour protection. It measured over 36 feet in length, with a beam of nearly 11 feet, a forward draft of over 2 feet, and an aft draft of 3 feet. The vessel had a displacement of 18,000 pounds and a low draft, enabling it to go up onto the shore for direct unloading of troops and equipment. It was powered by either a Gray Marine 6-71 diesel or a Hall-Scott gasoline engine, achieving a top speed of 14 mph. A four-man crew operated the LCVP: a coxswain, an engineer, a bowman, and a sternman. The boat could carry up to 8,100 pounds of cargo, including a 36-man platoon or a 12-man squad with a Jeep. Its only armament consisted of two .30 cal Browning machine guns located at the rear.

The Higgins boat received high praise from Allied commanders, including General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who credited the boat and its designer, Andrew Higgins, for winning the war. The National WWII Museum in New Orleans stands as a testament to the significance of the LCVP and Higgins' contributions to history.

The LCP(L)

The Landing Craft Personnel (Large) or LCP(L) was a boat used extensively during World War II to ferry troops from transport ships to enemy-held shores. The LCP(L) was designed by Andrew Jackson Higgins of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, and was based on the Eureka Boat, a prototype designed by the Eureka Tug-Boat Company of New Orleans.

The LCT

During the war, the LCT was modified into several variants to suit different needs. The LCT(R), or Landing Craft, Tank (Rocket), was equipped with rocket launchers and used to provide fire support during assaults. The LCT(6) was the most common variant and could carry up to four Sherman tanks.

The LST

The Higgins boat, or LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel), was also used in great numbers to deploy troops during World War II. Designed by Andrew Jackson Higgins, it was made of plywood and steel, reducing costs but also lessening the armour. It was over 36 feet long and had a displacement of 18,000 pounds. The LCVP was powered by either a Gray Marine 6-71 diesel or a Hall-Scott gasoline engine, allowing it to reach a top speed of 14 mph. It could carry a 36-man platoon or a 12-man squad and a Jeep.

The LCVP was integral to the invasion of Normandy, with thousands being used on D-Day. General Dwight D. Eisenhower believed that the conflict was won because of this boat, stating, "Andrew Higgins is the man who won the war for us. 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."

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