The Forgotten Heroes of D-Day: The Landing Craft that Got Troops to Normandy

The Importance of Landing Craft on D-Day

On June 6, 1944, a date that would go down in history as D-Day, the success of the Allied invasion relied heavily on the landing craft provided by Andrew Jackson Higgins of New Orleans. These ingenious shallow-water vessels, designed with a ramp for loading vehicles and personnel, played a crucial role in transporting troops and equipment to the beaches of Normandy.

Types of Landing Craft Used on D-Day

Various types of landing craft were deployed on D-Day, including:

LCTs (Landing Craft Tank): These larger craft were capable of sailing to Normandy under their own power and could carry tanks and other heavy machinery. LCVPs (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel): Known as Higgins boats (because they were designed by Andrew Jackson Higgins), these smaller but equally critical landing craft carried infantry personnel. They were typically launched from larger transport ships or boats, often referred to as LSTs (Landing Ship Tank). LCIs (Landing Craft Infantry): These were also used to transport infantry and were often carried by larger ships known as Landing Ship Infantry (LSI). LCAs (Landing Craft Assault): Similar to LCVPs, these were used to deliver assault troops and had a capacity of 33 men.

Challenges and Successes During the D-Day Operation

The journey to Normandy was not without its challenges. The LCI (Landing Craft Infantry)s and LCVPs had to navigate the treacherous waters, often under intense fire. Some LCIboats were lost, while others ferried men back and forth multiple times, risking their lives to bring troops to the beach.

From Portsmouth, where most of the preparations were made, the landing craft had to travel across the English Channel, sometimes under the ominous gaze of enemy artillery. Despite the hazardous journey, over 133,000 Allied troops landed successfully on the five beaches along the Normandy coast, establishing the first foothold for the liberation of Western Europe.

Logistics and Coordination of the D-Day Invasion

The operation required meticulous planning and coordination. The landing craft, supported by the Royal Navy's big guns and air cover from the Royal Air Force (RAF), were part of a massive armada. Each landing ship had a specific role and followed a pre-determined route to ensure that the landing crafts reached their designated areas.

Once on station, the landing craft would be lowered into the water, forming flotillas of 12 or more. These flotillas were directed by Landing Craft Control, ensuring they were positioned correctly to land their troops. The process was repeated until all troops had been disembarked.

Post-War Fate of the Landing Craft

After the war, the surviving landing craft had to return to their original owners, resuming their pre-war roles. The SS Invicta, a Landing Ship Infantry (LSI) built by Denny’s of Dumbarton, continues to be a testament to this era. Originally a British Rail passenger ferry serving the service to Dieppe in 1971, it had a second life carrying Canadian troops in 1942.

The use of landing craft in the Pacific theatre was similar but adapted to the different conditions and distances involved. The US Navy also used similar ships and LCVPs, or Higgins boats, but often encountered different weather and logistical challenges.

The landing craft of D-Day, while often overlooked, were the unsung heroes that made the Allied invasion of Normandy possible. Their ingenuity and resilience in the face of enemy fire underscored the bravery and determination of the men who relied on them.