I am writing about the part played by merchant LSIs at Normandy and have two questions to ask knowledgable military types, to help out an old seaman: 1. What is reckoned to be the weight of an infantry man with all his kit when he boards an LCA from the mother ship. The background to this is one young RNVR Lieutenant says that he prevailed on his superiors to allow the boats to be launched with the soldiers already embarked. I think that would have increased the launching weight by about 3 tons, which may have exceeded the design capability of the davits. 2. I hadn't realised until I read his report that the LCAs could only land a proportion of the troops and had to make two or three trips. This, combined with the number of LCAs lost (and the vomit in the boats), must have slowed everything up. For example an Empire class merchant LSI carried 1,310 troops and 18 LCAs. If the capacity of an LCA is 30 that means that only 540 could be landed in the first wave. Have I missed something? Does anyone know of a decent drawing of the Empire LSI(L)s Empire Anvil et al or even a painting - I have found the painting by Robert Taylor D-Day Normandy Landings but the price of a print is so high that I haven't even bothered to ask what they want for reproduction rights! All thoughts appreciated
Roy, As a start look at the Sword Beach thread, Page 3. This gives very detailed LCA loads. The nominal capacity of an LCA was 36 men but few if any carried that many. Spaces were left for equipment such as pioneer or engineer stores, stretchers etc. It was normal in British ships to load troops into LCA while they were still on davits and hoists. There are photos of this being done. The Empire class had climbing frames instead of the US scrambling nets. There are photos of these also. After the first assault wave the use of LCAs is varied. Some did return for a second wave. Some stayed to carry out other duties, some were hoisted back on board and the LSI left as soon as possible. There are cases of LSIs using their LCAs to land troops in the days after D Day. Where possible LCI(L) were also used to land troops from LSis. Nothing is ever simple and straightforward. Improvisation and initiative were often the order of the day. I have a lot of material on this. Ask if you think I can help. Mike.
Mike, Many thanks, I will follow the lead. Perhaps when I have drafted the chapter I could ask you to run your eye over it, please. Roy
Mike, Again many thanks, I have been through to page 7 and copied all that concerns the merchantmen. I will now do my boa constrictor bit and curl up and digest it all!! I assume that the Landing Tables were compiled before the event? Roy
Roy, The Landing Tables were prepared well before the event. Mostly in March. They were then modified. My version is based on the original but with as many amendments and modifications as I am aware of. In many cases the War Diaries of units involved give the detail. This is the case with the LCA loads listed. There are also Naval orders and reports giving details of naval organisation and how the reality differed from the plan. Mike
