I don't really know where to post this question so I hope that this is the correct place... During D-Day or the Normandy Landings, many soldiers were deployed on the beaches of Normandy, such as Utah and Omaha, and I read that they were transported by Landing Crafts. After watching many films I have only seen the small 'boats' which transport troops to the beaches, but what boat carried these smaller boats, as I assume that they were transported by a larger ship? Basically, what ship(s) carried the landing craft or vessels that Allied troops used to reach the beaches of Normandy? Thanks in advance. http://ww2-pictures.com/D-Day-Pictures/d-day-landing-craft.jpg
They were called generally Troop Transports, designated by the US Navy as APA. They could hold about a battalion of infantry. Some ships could lower fully loaded LCVP's by their davits but most used the climbing nets after boats were lowered. Quick search for an APA with LCVP's:
On D Day the small landing craft, US LCVP or British LCA, were carried by British Landing Ships Infantry or US APAs (Attack Transports). A list of these with data and illustrations can be found on the Trux website. It can be accessed by a link on this site or go to HOME then select Others/Royal Navy/ship illustrations. The Trux site also gives a web address for a site with good photographs of US APAs. I f you are really keen you might find the 1950s film 'Away all Boats', the story of an APA in the Pacific. Good sequences of the ship and its landing craft. Mike
