Attached is a very rare photograph of a Mk1 LCT (Tank Landing Craft) also known as an 'A-lighter'. The photo is reputed to have been taken on a river, probably in the UK, although it could also possibly be Suez Canal area. Several things tend to indicate this photo is from the early years of LCT operations, probably 1940 - 1942 since there is no identification number on the vessel. The first Mk1 LCTs were not built until mid - late 1940 and the first 20 (there were only 30 built) were sent to Egypt in sections to be assembled there. The first A-lighters were marked 'WDLF' (western desert lighter force) and also possibly carried an 'A' number eg 'A6' or 'A15'. Later the US designation style eg 'LCT A6' might have been used. A further 10 Mk1s were then built and used solely for training purposes in the UK, mostly around the Combined Operations training bases in western Scotland and southern and eastern England. These vessels were numbered 'TLC 21' to 'TLC 30' (as shown on the second attached picture) although again the designation may have changed later to the US style 'LCT 21'. The 10 'British' LCTs remained in the UK for training until the end of WW2. So the question is: Can anyone suggest, from the background of the photo, where this photograph was taken? Lack of id seems to indicate possibly a new vessel and if it is indeed in a river could it be the Clyde, Tyne, another Scottish river or canal, or maybe a southern river. Could it be the Suez Canal? This is something that has been puzzling me for a year or more so any help would be appreciated.
Hi, The photo was taken in the UK. Not sure where exactly. One of the first to be built. There were around 6 other photos taken at the same time. One or two showing it beaching in a harbour. Attached is one of the other photos. I will see if I can find the others I have and further information. Regards Danny
Difficult to see but I think there are coal loading staithes in the background. This would most likely be the Tyne but could be the Wear. The staithes were quite distinctive. Colliers moored in the river, usually alongside mooring posts. The staithe structure ran out over the water. Rail lines carried coal wagons to the end of the staithe and tipped coal directly into the collier. Mike
Thanks guys, Danny - would really appreciate it if you could find the other photos and where you came across them. The harbour could give clues as to location. Mike - I got the feeling it was a British river from the building style but I don't know any of the northern rivers well enough to guess where it could be. Tyne could be a possibility as some of the LCTs were built in Tyne shipyards.
Mike, This site mentions the Tyne. http://ww2lct.org/history/stories/tin_armada.htm I also found this whilst searching. http://www.google.de/imgres?um=1&sa=N&hl=de&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4ADFA_deDE451DE454&biw=1177&bih=605&tbm=isch&tbnid=rtYGQARiztVjIM:&imgrefurl=http://ww2today.com/24th-may-1942-public-wants-a-second-front-to-help-russia&docid=gmgKD5owYmdxMM&imgurl=http://ww2today.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Tank-off-landing-craft.jpg&w=800&h=795&ei=bHMfUp6UH4KatQb04YDgCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=378&vpy=265&dur=1284&hovh=224&hovw=225&tx=121.04763793945312&ty=138.80953979492187&page=1&tbnh=140&tbnw=127&start=0&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:0,i:109 A Little later looking at the number but some interesting photographs. Regards Tom
Tyne Built Ships lists a few LCT Mk1s. The entry for LCT 105 makes an interesting comparison - 'Kevin Blair' might be the man to talk to.
Tom, Idler, thanks for those. 'The tin armada' I have seen several times. It is a useful brief guide to LCT development but is written from an American viewpoint and has some errors eg 'Robert' Baker was actually Rowland Baker (later Sir Rowland Baker), the Mk1 (and most later LCTs) were largely rivetted , not all-welded construction, and the Mk1 had twin screws and rudders. I had forgotten the reference to trials on the Tyne and I suspect that the picture from Danny shows these trials as there are so many 'gentlemen' on the wheelhouse - far too many to be just the LCT crew. Might have nailed it there Tom. The other link shows a Mk2, similar to those used at Dieppe in 1942. Idler, the Tyne Built Ships is very useful, thanks. It seems to correlate with much of the research done into the first 20 Mk1s (sent to Egypt) and followed up to the end of the war by searching the 'Green List' at TNA. The picture of LCT 105 (a Mk2) is actually another Mk1, probably from the same series as Danny's photos.
Its possible that the second photograph is on the training beaches of Loch Fyne of the Clyde where a lot a amphib traing took place, the hards are still there and the sounding county side looks about right
The tanks look like Churchill Mk 1s, which only served in the UK in training units, if I remember correctly.
Hi leehebs, any suggestions welcome as I don't know the area at all. Mk LCTs 21 - 30 spent from early 1941 to the end of the war in Scotland but they moved round several Combined Ops training areas and bases so it could possibly be Loch Fyne. Staffs, yes - I thought Mk1 Churchill too, similar to the Dieppe Churchills. Idler - found a contact for Kevin Blair but it seems I probably won't get a reply until next week.
