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Thelanding craft mechanized (LCM) is a militarylanding craft designed for carrying personnel and vehicles from ship to shore without requiring apier or other shore-based structure. Multiple different models with varying size, capacity, and power plants were produced starting in 1920. They came to prominence during theSecond World War when they were used to land troops andtanks duringAlliedamphibious assaults.
There was no single design of LCM used, unlike thelanding craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP) orlanding craft assault (LCA) landing craft made by the US and UK respectively. There were several different designs built by the UK and US and by different manufacturers.
The Britishmotor landing craft (MLC) was conceived and tested in the 1920s and was used from 1924 in exercises. Nine were in service at the start of the war. It was the first purpose built tank landing craft. It was the progenitor of all subsequent LCM designs.
The landing craft, mechanised Mark I, was an early British model. It was able to be slung under the davits of a liner or on a cargo ship boom with the result that it was limited to a 16-ton tank.[1][clarification needed]
The LCM Mark I was used during theAllied landings in Norway (one alongside the MLCs),[2] andat Dieppe and some 600 were built.
The first American LCM design, from theUS Navy'sBureau of Construction and Repair. Approximately 150 were built byAmerican Car & Foundry andHiggins Industries.
There were two designs:
Capable of carrying 120,000 lb (54,000 kg) of cargo
In appearance very similar to the LCVP whichHiggins Industries also constructed, with a 10-foot (3.0 m) wide load area at the front and a small armoured (1/4 inch steel) wheelhouse on the aft decking over the engine room. A vessel claiming to be a Higgins LCM-3 is on display at the Battleship Covemaritime museum inFall River, Massachusetts, however this vessel has the superstructure and overall length of an LCM-6.[5] Another Higgins LCM-3 is displayed at the Museo Storico Piana delle Orme inProvince of Latina, Italy, 18 miles east ofAnzio.[6]
In 1943 and 1944, seventy-seven LCM(4)s were built.[7] Externally, the LCM(4) resembled a late model LCM(1) but inside the pontoon special bilge pumps and ballast tanks allowed the LCM(4) to alter trim to increase stability when partially loaded.
British model of LCM
The LCM (6) was an LCM (3) extended by 6 feet (1.8 m) amidships.
Many LCM-6s were later adapted for theMobile Riverine Force in theVietnam War. Some were modified as armored troop carriers (ATCs or "Tangos"), others became "monitors" with 105 mm guns, "Zippos" with flamethrowers or "Charlie" command variants.
A few LCMs were converted to lay and repair hoses fortankers equipped with the offshore petroleum discharge system (OPDS).[8]
British model of LCM
General characteristics, LCM 8 Type
Turkey –Turkish Naval Forces[9]
United States –United States Navy, U.S. Army 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary
Thailand –Royal Thai Navy
Australia –Royal Australian Navy Australia –Australian Army
Spain –Spanish Navy
El Salvador –Navy of El Salvador
New Zealand –Royal New Zealand Navy
Egypt –Egyptian Navy
Saudi Arabia –Royal Saudi Navy
Pakistan -Pakistan Navy
Japan -Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Vietnam -Vietnam People's Navy
