Royal navy

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  1. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    ROYAL NAVY

    The Royal Navy supported 21 Army Group in a number of ways. On D Day they carried the
    invasion force across the Channel and then continued to protect the supply convoys. The
    navy provided fire support when fighting was in range of their guns, and provided air
    spotting aircraft. For the Rhine Crossing some naval personnel and landing craft assisted in
    building bridges.

    Click for Ship Drawings

    ROYAL NAVY

    ROYAL NAVY FIRE SUPPORT
    The Royal Navy has always used its guns in support of land operations. In NW Europe the Royal Navy used its firepower on D Day and in the Normandy Campaign. There were few opportunities later but there were organisations in place to enable naval gunfire to be controlled by Royal Artillery observers, or as part of a fire plan.

    Destroyers were very useful since they normally had six 4.7” calibre guns which gave each vessel the firepower of a field artillery battery. Cruisers normally had 6” guns which gave the firepower of medium artillery, while heavy cruisers had 8” guns. There were also monitors and battleships with much bigger guns but these were very vulnerable in confined waters.

    In coastal areas a corps could have a specially trained Royal Navy officer and a specially trained Royal Artillery officer at the headquarters of the Corp Commander Royal Artillery. These officers could liaise with the Royal Navy ships and co ordinate naval gunfire into corps fire plans.

    Combined Operations Bombardment Unit.
    These were organised to provide control for naval gunfire in combined operations. Each unit was organised into troops which each provided seven parties which consisted of trained personnel as follows.
    1 X Observation Officer Royal Artillery
    1 X observation post assistant Royal Artillery
    3 X signaller Royal Navy
    1 X Liaison Officer Royal Navy who was stationed on the ship providing fire support.

    The Observation Officer and his assistant manned an observation post as in Royal Artillery field units. The signallers Royal Navy were provided to operate wireless sets on Royal navy or combined operations frequencies, and to use Royal Naval signal procedures to communicate with their ship.

    Spotter aircraft were used to control naval gunfire but special communications arrangements were required. The Auster Air Observation Post aircraft was not suitable unless they passed information to one of the above organisations. On D Day observation for Naval gunfire was provided by a spotting pool of aircraft including:
    Four squadrons of Seafires from the Fleet Air Arm.
    Five squadrons of Spitfires and Mustangs from the RAF
    Fifteen Spitfires manned by United States Navy

    Naval gunfire on D Day was controlled from Headquarters Ships.

    It was possible for ships to use their fire control radar to engage targets. A spotter aircraft circled the target and allowed the radar to range on it. Special communications arrangements needed to be provided.

    Naval gunfire proved very effective. It could be used before heavy artillery could be landed and it could be used in conditions which made air strikes difficult. It was also immediately available. Once a target had been found the ships guns could be ready in seconds and could keep up a high rate of fire. German prisoners later gave naval gunfire as a major factor in delaying plans to counter attack since it could make any concentration or attack impossible within their range.

    EASTERN TASK FORCE. D DAY
    The Eastern Task Force was the Royal Navy element of the invasion forces and was responsible for the landing beaches used by the British.

    Task Force Command
    HMS Scylla 8 X 4.5” guns AA Cruiser Flagship
    HMS Sirius 10 X 5.25” guns AA Cruiser
    HMS Rodney 9 X 16” guns Battleship

    Bombarding Force K (Gold Beach)
    HMS Argonaut 10 X 5.25” guns AA Cruiser Flagship
    HMS Orion 8 X 6” guns Cruiser
    HMS Ajax 8 X 6” guns Cruiser
    Emerald 7 X 6” guns Cruiser
    HNMS Flores 3 X 5.9” guns Gunboat Dutch
    12 X Destroyer
    HMS Jervis 6 X 4.7” guns J Class Leader
    HMS Grenville 4 X 4.7” guns U Class Leader
    HMS Ulster 4 X 4.7” guns U Class
    HMS Ulysses 4 X 4.7” guns U Class
    HMS Undine 4 X 4.7” guns U Class
    HMS Undaunted 4 X 4.7” guns U Class
    HMS Ursa 4 X 4.7” guns U Class
    HMS Urania 4 X 4.7” guns U Class
    HMS Urchin 4 X 4.7” guns U Class
    HMS Cattistock 4 X 4” guns Hunt Class
    HMS Pytchley 4 X 4” guns Hunt Class
    ORP Krakowiak 6 X 4” guns Hunt Class Polish

    Bombarding Force E (Juno Beach)
    HMS Belfast 12 X 6” guns Cruiser Flagship
    HMS Diadem 8 X 5.25” guns AA Cruiser
    11 X Destroyer
    HMS Faulkner 5 X 4.7” guns F Class Leader
    HMS Fury 4 X 4.7” guns F Class
    HMS Kempenfelt 4 X 4.7” guns W Class Leader
    HMS Venus 4 X 4.7” guns V Class
    HMS Vigilant 4 X 4.7” guns V Class
    HMCS Algonquin 4 X 4.7” guns V Class Canadian
    HMCS Sioux 4 X 4.7” guns V Class Canadian
    HMS Bleasdale 4 X 4” guns Hunt Class
    HMS Stevenstone 4 X 4” guns Hunt Class
    HNMS Glaisdale 4 X 4” guns Hunt Class
    FFS La Combattante 4 X 4” guns Hunt Class French

    Bombarding Force D (Sword Beach)
    HMS Mauritius 12 X 6” guns Cruiser Flagship
    HMS Warspite 8 X 15” guns Battleship
    HMS Ramilies 8 X 15” guns Battleship
    HMS Roberts 2 X 15” guns Monitor
    HMS Arethusa 6 X 6” guns Cruiser
    HMS Frobisher 5 X 7.5” guns Cruiser
    HMS Danae 6 X 6” guns Cruiser
    ORP Dragon 6 X 6” guns Cruiser Polish
    12 X Destroyer
    HMS Kelvin 6 X 4.7” guns K Class
    HMS Saumarez 4 X 4.7” guns S Class Leader
    HMS Scorpion 4 X 4.7” guns S Class
    HMS Scourge 4 X 4.7” guns S Class
    HMS Swift 4 X 4.7” guns S Class
    HMS Serapis 4 X 4.7” guns S Class
    HMS Virago 4 X 4.7” guns V Class
    HMS Verulum 4 X 4.7” guns V Class
    HNMS Stord 4 X 4.7” guns S Class Norwegian
    HNMS Svenner 4 X 4.7” guns S Class Norwegian
    HMS Middleton 6 X 4” guns Hunt Class
    HMS Eglinton 4 X 4” guns Hunt Class

    Headquarters Ships
    HMS Bulolo Gold Beach
    HMS Hilary Juno Beach
    HMS Largs Sword Beach



    NAVAL FORCE T. SCHELDT ESTUARY. OCTOBER 1944
    HMS Kingsmill 3 X 3” AA Captain Class Frigate. Flagship
    HMS Warspite 8 X 15” guns Battleship
    HMS Roberts 2 X 15” guns Monitor
    HMS Erebus 2 X 15” guns Monitor



    NAVAL/ARMY AIR LIAISON GROUP
    War Establishment III/331/1 with an effective date of October 1944.

    This establishment was issued too late to be used in NW Europe but it did combine and replace two earlier War Establishments, III/5D/2 and III172/1 which would have applied at the time of D Day.


    Administrative Section
    General Staff Officer 2nd Grade (Air Liaison Officer)
    General Staff Officer 3rd Grade (Air Liaison Officer)
    2 X clerk RASC

    Training Section
    General Staff Officer 2nd Grade (Air Liaison Officer)
    2 X General Staff Officer 3rd Grade (Air Liaison Officer)
    2 X batman
    clerk RA
    clerk RASC for photographic duties
    3 X drivers of vehicles
    2 X motorcyclist

    2 X motorcycle
    2 X car 4seat 4 X 2
    1 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS


    Headquarters Ship Section
    A variable number of Headquarters Ship Sections was trained to serve on Amphibious Force Headquarter Ships.
    General Staff Officer 2nd Grade (Air Liaison Officer)


    Carrier Borne Air Liaison Section Type L
    A variable number of Carrier Borne Air Liaison Sections was trained to serve on aircraft carriers.
    General Staff Officer 2nd Grade (Air Liaison Officer)
    General Staff Officer 3rd Grade (Air Liaison Officer)
    serjeant clerk RASC
    clerk RASC

    Note:
    Liaison Officers could be Army or Royal Marines.



    ROYAL NAVY BEACH COMMANDO
    Royal Navy Beach Masters were responsible for activity up to the high tide mark. In effect this meant that they controlled naval activity including
    - calling in landing craft to the beach using radio, signal lamps and loudhailers.
    - unloading landing craft according to priorities
    - providing salvage parties to recover damaged landing craft, stores and equipment
    - providing fire fighting parties which used DUKWs with trailer pumps in them.

    Shipping remained under the control of the relevant Royal Navy organisation until released to the Beach Master.

    Each Royal Navy Beach Commando was intended to handle a beach landing for a brigade. They were designated by letters and there were Beach Commandos A to W, with W being an all Canadian unit.

    Each Beach Commando had the following personnel
    Principal Beach Master
    3 X Beach Master
    6 X Assistant Beach Master
    3 X Petty Officer
    6 X leading seaman
    18 X able seaman
    39 X ordinary seaman.

    These were normally organised as a headquarters and three Beach Parties, one for each combat battalion.

    Each Royal Navy Beach Commando was linked to an army Beach Group, which was responsible for a brigade landing beach above the high tide mark.

    The Royal Air Force provided a flight for each landing beach. This was responsible for RAF stores, material for airfield construction and for barrage balloons. Flights were attached to Beach Groups and came under the command of the Beach Master.

    Eventually all Beach Commandos and Beach Groups were joined together to form Beach Sub Areas which each served a division.






    ROYAL NAVY NAMED VESSELS. D DAY.

    Battleships
    Rodney
    Warspite Queen Elizabeth Class
    Ramilies Royal Sovereign Class

    Monitors
    Roberts
    Erebus

    Cruisers
    Mauritius Colony Class
    Belfast
    Glasgow
    Orion Leander Class
    Ajax Leander Class
    Hawkins Birmingham Class
    Frobisher Birmingham Class
    Emerald E Class
    Enterprise E Class
    Danae D Class
    Black Prince
    Bellona
    Diadem
    Sirius

    Destroyers
    Note: As a rule destroyers were built in flotillas of eight, one of which was a flotilla leader. All ships of the class began with the same letter so it is usually obvious which class a destroyer belongs to. As always there are exceptions and these are noted.
    Beagle
    Faulkner
    Fury
    Impulsive
    Isis
    Jervis
    Kelvin
    Onslow
    Obedient
    Orwell
    Opportune
    Offa
    Onslaught
    Saumarez
    Savage
    Scorpion
    Scourge
    Serepis
    Svenner
    Stord
    Swift
    Grenville U Class
    Ulster
    Ulysses
    Undaunted
    Udine
    Urania
    Urchine
    Ursa
    Venus
    Verulam
    Vigilant
    Virago
    Kempenfeldt W Class
    Ashanti Tribal Class
    Haida Tribal Class
    Huron Tribal Class

    Escorts
    Escorts were of many types.
    The most numerous were the Hunt Class which were designed as small destroyers for coastal, rather than fleet, work.
    Carristock
    Cotswold
    Cottesmore
    Atherstone
    Whaddon
    Blankney
    Middleton
    Blackmore
    Liddesdale
    Farndale
    Melbreak
    Wenslydale
    Tanatside
    Talybont
    Stevenstone
    Bleasdale
    Brissenden

    Flower Class were small escort corvettes based on whalers.
    Armeria
    Azalea
    Campanula
    Clarkia
    Clematis
    Clover
    Godetia
    Lavender
    Mignonette
    Narcissus
    Oxlip
    Pennywort
    Petunia
    Pink
    Alberni

    Black Swan and River Classes were larger escort frigates and sloops.
    Redpole
    Magpie
    Hind
    Stork
    Chelmer
    Nith

    Captain Class were US built escort destroyers.
    Duff
    Horham
    Halstead
    Holmes
    Retalick
    Riou
    Rowley
    Stayner
    Thorborough
    Torrington
    Trollope

    V and W classes were WWI destroyer designs rebuilt as escorts.
    Algonquin
    Sioux
    Vimy
    Vidette
    Vivacious
    Vesper
    Versatile
    Volunteer
    Westcott
    Wrestler

    Campbell Scott Class


    Minesweepers
    Minesweepers were kept busy and were of several classes.
    Bangor Class
    Androssan
    Bangor
    Beaumaris
    Blackpool
    Blairmore
    Bootle
    Boston
    Bridlington
    Bridport
    Caraquet
    Cowishan
    Dornoch
    Dunbar
    Eastbourne
    Fort William
    Fort York
    Fraserburgh
    Georgian
    Gorgon
    Guysborough
    Ilfracombe
    Kenora
    Llandudno
    Lyme Regis
    Malpeque
    Milltown
    Parrsborough
    Poole
    Qualicum
    Romney
    Rye
    Seaham
    Shippigan
    Sidmouth
    Tadoussac
    Tenby
    Wasaga
    Wedgeport
    Whitehaven
    Worthing

    Hunt Class. Escorts fitted for minesweeping and capable of performing either role.
    Elgin
    Kellet
    Lydd
    Panbourne
    Ross
    Saltash
    Selkirk
    Sutton

    Halcyon Class.
    Britomart
    Gleaner
    Halcyon
    Harrier
    Hussar
    Jason
    Salamander
    Seagull
    Speedwell

    Catherine Class
    Catherine
    Cato
    Gazelle
    Grecian
    Pique
    Steadfast

    Algerine Class
    Cockatrice
    Fancy
    Friendship
    Gozo
    Hydra
    Larne
    Lennox
    Loyalty
    Melita
    Minas
    Onyx
    Orestes
    Pelorus
    Persian
    Pickle
    Pincher
    Plucky
    Postilion
    Rattlesnake
    Ready
    Recruit
    Rifleman
    Vestal

    Trawlers.
    Two Step
    Hornpipe
    Bute
    Sheppey
    St Kilda
    Satsa
    Calm


    For D Day and the subsequent maintenance of the army in Europe most of the personnel and stores ships ships were:
    1. Specially built or ordered ships including
    Landing Ship Tank (LST). Some 130 employed.
    Landing Craft Tank (LCT).
    Landing Ship Dock (LSD). Only one delivered in time.
    Thirteen US Standard C1-S-AY1 cargo ships converted to Landing Ship Infantry, Large (LSI(L)).
    Eighty Scandinavian Type coasters, half built in Canada and half in UK.
    Four US Standard N3-M-A1 fast coasters.
    Chant type petrol carriers. Small ships capable of carrying either bulk or canned petrol.

    2. Ships originally built as Cross Channel ferries, or ferries for the North Sea and Irish routes. About thirty were converted for use as
    Landing Ship Infantry, Medium (LSI(M))
    Landing Ship Infantry, Small (LSI(S))
    Landing Ship Infantry, Hoist (LSI(H))
    Hospital Carrier
    In addition Cross Channel train ferries were used to carry vehicles, locomotives and rolling stock.

    3. Merchant Ships converted for service as
    Landing Ship Infantry, Large (LSI(L)). Seven were used, mainly on D Day.
    Landing Ship Tank MkI. Three shallow draft tankers were modified to carry tanks and other vehicles.
    Landing Ship Headquarters, Large (LSH(L)). Three ships were employed, one for each beach.
    Landing Ship Carrier (LSC). One ship converted to carry LCMs.

    In addition standard ships were used as store ships and Motor Transport ships
    US Standard EC-S-** cargo ships (Liberty Ships).

    Eight small naval ships were employed as Landing Ship Headquarters, Small (LSH(S)). These included two River Class frigates, three Hunt Class escort destroyers, two Captain Class escort destroyers and a gunboat originally intended for use in China.


    D DAY LANDING SHIPS.

    By Type
    Headquarters Ships
    LSH(L), Landing Ship Headquarters Large
    Bulolo
    Hilary
    Largs
    LSH(S), Landing Ship Headquarters Small
    Nith River Class
    Kingsmill Captain Class
    Albrighton Hunt Class
    Lawford Captain Class
    Waveney River Class
    Locust Insect Class gunboat
    Goathland Hunt Class
    Dacres Hunt Class

    Landing Ships Infantry
    LSI(L), Landing Ship Infantry, Large
    Empire Anvil C1
    Empire Arquebus C1
    Empire Battleaxe C1
    Empire Broadsword C1
    Empire Crossbow C1
    Empire Cutlass C1
    Empire Gauntlet C1
    Empire Halberd C1
    Empire Javelin C1
    Empire Lance C1
    Empire Mace C1
    Empire Rapier C1
    Empire Spearhead C1
    Glenearn
    Glenroy
    Lamont
    Llangibby Castle Merchant
    Monowai Merchant
    LSI(M), Landing Ship Infantry Medium.
    Queen Emma
    Prince David
    Prince Henry
    LSI(S), Landing Ship Infantry Small
    Amsterdam
    Prins Albert
    Prinses Astrid
    Prince Baudouin
    Prince Charles
    Prinses Josephine Charlotte
    Prince Leopold
    Princess Margaret
    LSI(H), Landing Ship Infantry Hoist
    Biarritz Merchant
    Brigadier
    Canterbury Merchant
    Duke of Argyll Merchant
    Duke of Wellington
    Invicta
    Isle of Guernsey
    Isle of Thanet
    Lady of Man Merchant
    Lairds Isle
    Maid of Orleans Merchant
    Mecklenburg Merchant
    Princes Maud Merchant
    Royal Ulsterman
    St. Helier
    Ulster Monarch
    Victoria Merchant

    Other Landing Ships
    Northway, LSD, Landing Ship Dock
    3 X LST1, Landing Ship Tank Mk1.
    127 X LST2, Landing Ship Tank Mk2
    LSE Adventure, Landing Ship Emergency Repair


    Most ships were manned by the Royal Navy but those listed as Merchant were manned by the Merchant Navy and controlled by the Ministry of War Transport. Merchant ships had a number of Royal Artillery personnel who were responsible for the ships armament and for training the merchant seamen to man it. Landing ships had Royal Marines from the Landing Craft Flotillas to man the LCA and LCM landing craft, usually three men per craft plus and administrative headquarters.


    US LANDING SHIPS.
    Several of the British Landing Ships Infantry were assigned to the American Utah and Omaha beaches. These are indicated above but are repeated here for convenience.

    Landing Ship Infantry, Large.
    Empire Anvil. Omaha Beach.
    Empire Javelin. Omaha Beach.
    Empire Gauntlet. Utah Beach.
    Landing Ship Infantry, Small.
    Prince Charles. Omaha Beach
    Prince Baudouin. Omaha Beach.
    Prince Leopold. Omaha Beach.
    Amsterdam. Omaha Beach.
    Landing Ship Infantry, Hoist.
    Princess Maud. Omaha Beach
    Ben My Chree. Omaha Beach.

    In addition the US Navy provided the following transports.
    APA. Attack Transports.
    Samuel Chase. Omaha Beach.
    Henrico. Omaha Beach.
    Charles Carroll. Omaha Beach.
    Thomas Jefferson. Omaha Beach.
    Bayfield. Utah Beach (Flagship).
    Joseph T Dickman. Utah Beach.
    Barnett. Utah Beach.

    AP. Transports.
    Anne Arundel. Omaha Beach.
    Dorothea L Dix. Omaha Beach.
    Thurston. Omaha Beach.
    Susan B Anthony. Follow Up.
    Orizaba. Follow Up.

    AKA. Assault Cargo Ship.
    Achernar.

    AGC. Amphibious Force Flagship.
    Ancon.
     
  2. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    These drawings are from contemporary sources, mainly ship recognition publications


    The following drawings show vessels as they were immediately pre war. For war service they had hoists or luffing davits fitted for landing craft. Guns were added, usually the heaviest at the stern and lightest on the superstructure. Directors, searchlights and other equipment was added as available and required for their roles. The solid silhouettes show wartime construction for which no drawings have been found..



    Landing Ships Headquarters (Large).

    Hilary. LSH(L). Headquarters ship for Juno Beach.
    A Booth Line cargo liner built in 1931. ex Ocean Boarding Vessel.
    11,250 tons.
    442 foot long.
    14 knots.
    Carried 6 X LCP on lifeboat davits.
    Armament: 1 X 6”, 1 X 12 pdr, 4 X quad 2pdr, 6 X twin 20mm, 2 X single 20mm.
    Hilari-lshqlarge.png

    Bulolo. LSH(L). Headquarters ship for Gold Beach.
    An Australian passenger/cargo ship built for routes to the islands in 1938. ex armed merchant cruiser.
    9,111 tons.
    412 foot long.
    Carried 6 X LCP on lifeboat davits.
    Armament: 2 X twin 4”, 5 X 40mm, 14 X 20mm.
    As built Bulolo had a considerable amount of comfortable accommodation, air conditioning, large water tanks and a swimming pool and made an ideal headquarters ship.
    bulolo-lshqlarge.png

    Largs. LSH(L).
    French ferry built in 1938. ex Ocean Boarding Vessel
    5,850 tons.
    375 foot long.
    17 knots.
    Carried 4 X LCP on lifeboat davits.
    Armament: 1 X 12pdr, 2 X 2pdr, 14 X 20mm
    Larg-LSHQlarge.png

    Landing Ships Infantry (Large).

    C1-S-AY1.
    Empire Arquebus, Empire Crossbow, Empire Spearhead, Empire Lance, Empire Mace, Empire Rapier, Empire Halberd - Gold Beach.
    Empire Battleaxe, Empire Broadsword, Empire Cutlass – Sword Beach.
    Empire Anvil, Empire Javelin – Omaha Beach.
    Empire Gauntlet – Utah Beach.
    All thirteen ships were identical US Maritime Commission designs from the same yard which made planning simpler than for the miscellaneous ships. Ordered under Lend Lease for service under the Ministry of War Transport they were transferred to the Royal Navy. After D Day some were converted to other roles and some were refitted for service in the Far East. Some continued to make occasional runs to the Continent when large troop movements were required.
    11,650 tons.
    417 foot long.
    14 knots
    Armament: 1 X 4”, 1 X 12pdr, 12 X 20mm.
    LSIlarge1.png

    lsilarge2.png

    Glenroy. Gold Beach.
    Glenearn. Sword Beach.
    Two of a class of large and fast cargo liners built for the Glen Line in 1938/39.
    9,800 tons.
    483 foot long
    18 knots.
    Carried 3 X LCM and 24 X LCA.
    Accommodation for 1,800 troops
    glenroy.png

    Lamont. Juno Beach.
    One of a class of cargo liners built for the Clan Line in 1939. Sister ships were aircraft transports and depot ships.
    7,250 tons.
    487 foot long.
    Carried 2 X LCP and 18 X LCA.
    Accommodation for 900 troops.
    Armament: 1 X 4”, 1 X 12pdr, 1 X 40mm, 10 X 20mm.
    lamont.png

    Llangibby Castle. Juno Beach.
    A Merchant Navy LSI from the Union Castle Line. A large cargo liner built in 1929.
    11,951 tons.
    507 foot long.
    15 knots.
    Carried 14 X LCA. Royal Marine Flotilla 577.
    Accommodation for 1,500 troops.
    Llangibby Castle was a hard working LSI which had already been used as a troopship, then as an LSI in the Torch Operation. On Day she carried troops of the 3rd Canadian Division. She then made nearly seventy trips to Omaha and Utah Beaches and to Le Havre, carrying some 100,000 troops to the Continent. She then went to the Far East.
    llangibby.png

    Monowai. Juno Beach.
    Ex Armed Merchant Cruiser Razmak. A large and fast (20 knots) cargo liner built in 1925.
    10,852 tons.
    519 foot long.
    20 knots.
    Carried 20 X LCA
    monowai.png

    Landing Ship Infantry (Medium).

    Prince David. Juno Beach.
    Prince Henry. Juno Beach.
    Two fast Canadian ferries. Ex Armed Merchant Cruisers. These ships were extensively modified for the role of AMC and had the bridge moved further astern and had only two funnels, although the forward one was larger.
    6,890 tons.
    385 foot long.
    22 knots.
    Carried 2 X LCM and 6 X LCA.
    Accommodation for 444 troops.
    Armament: 2 X 4”, 1 X 40mm, 6 X 20mm.
    PrinceDavid.png
    As modified:
    Princedavid2.png


    Queen Emma. Juno Beach.
    Fast Dutch Cross Channel ferry built in 1939.
    4,136 tons.
    380 foot long.
    23 knots.
    Carried 2 X LCM and 6 X LCA.
    Accommodation for 372 troops.
    Armament: 2 X 12 pdr, 2 X 2pdr, 6 X 20mm.
    Queenemma.png

    Landing Ship Infantry (Small).

    Prinses Astrid. Juno Beach.
    Prince Charles. Omaha Beach.
    Prinses Josephine Charlotte. Juno Beach.
    Prince Leopold. Omaha Beach.
    A class of four fast Belgian Cross Channel ferries built in 1929/30.
    2,950 tons.
    360 foot long.
    24 knots.
    Carried 8 X LCA.
    Accommodation for 250 troops.
    Armament: 2 X 12 pdr, 2 X 2pdr, 6 X 20mm.
    astrid.png

    Prince Baudouin. Omaha Beach.
    Fast Belgian Cross Channel ferry built in 1933.
    3,219 tons.
    370 foot long.
    23 knots.
    Carried 8 X LCA.
    Accommodation for 196 troops.
    Armament: 2 X 12 pdr, 2 X 2pdr, 6 X 20mm.
    badoiun.png

    Prins Albert. Juno Beach.
    Fast Belgian Cross Channel ferry built 1937. Only minor differences to Prince Baudouin.
    2,938 tons.
    370 foot long.
    23 knots.
    Carried 8 X LCA.
    Accommodation for 250 troops.
    Armament: 2 X 12pdr, 2 X 2pdr, 6 X 20mm


    Amsterdam. Omaha Beach. Merchant Navy LSI.
    LNER Cross Channel ferry built in 1930.
    4,220 tons.
    351 foot long.
    21 knots.
    amsterdam.png

    Princess Margaret. Juno Beach. Merchant Navy LSI.
    LMS Cross Channel ferry built in 1931.
    2,552 tons.
    314 foot long.
    20 knots.
    margaret.png


    Continues below...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 3, 2017
  3. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Landing Ship Infantry, Hoist. LSI (H)

    Brigadier. Juno Beach.
    Southern Railway Cross Channel ferry built in 1928.
    2,294 tons.
    306 foot long.
    24 knots.
    Carried 6 X LCA.
    Accommodation for 180 troops.
    Armament: 1 X 12pdr, 4 X 20mm.
    brigadier.png


    Duke of Wellington. Juno Beach.
    Duke of Argyll. Juno Beach. Merchant Navy LSI.
    Duke of Rothesay. Juno Beach. Merchant Navy LSI.
    Three LMSR ferries built in 1928. All were fitted out as LSI in 1942.
    3,743 tons.
    358 foot long.
    21 knots.
    Carried 10 X LCA.
    Accommodation for 250 troops
    Armament: 1 X 12pdr, 8 X 40mm
    wellington.png

    Invicta. Juno Beach.
    Requisitioned while building in 1939.
    4,178 tons.
    347 foot long.
    22 knots
    Carried 6 X LCA.
    Accommodation for 250 troops.
    Armament: 1 X 12pdr, 4 X 20mm.
    invicta.png

    Isle of Guernsey. Juno Beach.
    2,132 tons.
    306 foot long.
    19 knots
    guernsey.png


    Isle of Thanet. Juno Beach.
    A Southern Railway Cross Channel ferry. Ex FAA target ship converted to LSI in 1943.
    2,700 tons.
    337 foot long.
    23 knots
    thanet.png

    Lairds Isle. Juno Beach.
    An old ferry built in 1911. Varied wartime career including Armed Boarding Vessel and Target Ship.
    1,929 tons.
    323 foot long.
    22 knots.
    lairds.png

    Royal Ulsterman
    3,250 tons.
    340 foot long.
    16 knots.
    Carried 6 X LCA.
    Accommodation for 830 troops.
    Armament: 1 X 12 pdr, 5 X 20mm.
    ulsterman.png

    St. Helier. Juno Beach.
    1,952 tons.
    292 foot long.
    18 knots.
    Carried 6 X LCA.
    Accommodation for 180 troops.
    Armament: 6 X 20mm.
    helier.png

    Ulster Monarch. Juno Beach.
    3,790 tons
    359 foot long.
    21 knots.
    Carried 6 X LCA.
    Accommodation for 580 troops.
    Armament: 1 X 12 pdr, 2 X 2pdr, 4 X 20mm
    ulstermonarch.png

    Biarritz. Juno Beach. Merchant Navy LSI.
    Maid of Orleans. Juno Brach. Merchant Navy LSI
    Two older Southern Railway Cross Channel ferries built 1915/18.
    2,400 tons.
    341 foot long.
    biaritz.png

    Canterbury. Juno Beach.
    Southern Railway Cross Channel ferry built in 1929. Merchant Navy LSI.
    2,900 tons.
    330 foot long.
    21 knots
    canterbury.png

    Lady of Mann. Juno Beach.
    Ben-My-Chree. Omaha Beach.
    Two similar Isle of Man ferries built in 1927/1930. Merchant Navy LSI.
    3,100 tons.
    372 foot long.
    23 knots
    ladyofmann.png

    Mecklenburg. Juno Beach.
    Built 1922. Merchant Navy LSI.
    2,900 tons.
    350 foot long.
    22 knots
    mecklenburg.png

    Princes Maud. Omaha Beach.
    LMS Cross Channel Ferry built in 1934. Merchant Navy LSI.
    2,900 tons.
    330 foot long.
    20 knots.
    maud.png

    Victoria. Juno Beach.
    Isle of Man ferry built in 1907. Merchant Navy LSI.
    1,700 tons.
    311 foot long.
    20 knots.
    victoria.png


    Landing Ship Tank Mk1.

    Misoa.
    Bachaquero.
    Two shallow draught tankers built in 1937 and converted to carry tanks.
    4,800 tons.
    382 foot long.
    12 knots.
    Carried 2 X LCM.
    Could carry 18 X 30ton tanks or 33 X 3ton lorry.
    Armament: 4 X 2pdr, 6 X 20mm.
    lstmk1.png



    Tasajera.
    Shallow draught tanker built in 1938 and converted to carry tanks.
    3,952 tons.
    362 foot long.
    10 knots.
    Carried 2 X LCM.
    Could carry 18 X 30ton tanks or 33 X 3ton lorry.
    Armament: 4 X 2pdr, 6 X 20mm

    SHIPS EMPLOYED IN BUILD UP and MAINTENANCE

    Daffodil.
    Princess Iris.
    Two LNER train ferries built in 1917. Converted to carry and launch LCM but converted back to train ferry and used to carry locomotives and rolling stock to French and Belgian ports. RN operated.
    2,700 tons
    364 foot long.
    12 knots.
    Armament: 2 X 2pdr, 4 X 20mm
    daffodil.png


    Scandinavian Type Coasters.
    About eighty of these coasters were built with a common hull design but some variations in superstructure, funnels and masts. Half were built in the UK and were operated by the Ministry of War Transport, although small numbers were used by the Royal Navy and the RASC. Half were built in Canada. Most were used for the transport of cargo across the Channel, first to the beaches, then to Mulberry B and eventually to the Channel ports.

    British built ships were prefixed ‘Empire’, including Empire Gareth, Empire Warner and Empire Osborne.
    Canadian built ships were suffixed ‘Park’, including Wentworth Park, Mulgrave Park, Hamilton Park and Victoria Park.

    The Scandinavians were based on the Baltic coasters which were traditionally designed to trade where there were few deep water harbours and they could be beached for unloading, or they could use their own winches and derricks to unload into lighters. These were useful attributes in Normandy.

    2,800 tons.
    328 foot long.
    scandinavian.png

    N3-M-A1 Fast Coaster.
    A class of four US Standard built coasters ordered for use in Normandy. The British units were for express services across the Channel. The US Army deployed N3 units as Port Repair Vessels.
    2,483 tons.
    291 foot long.
    Two large holds each 56 foot long and one smaller hold 28 foot long
    fastcoaster.png

    Chant Type Petrol Carrier.
    A small petrol carrier designed to carry either canned petrol or bulk petrol for the Normandy landings. They could be beached for unloading.
    480 tons.
    148 foot long.
    8 knots.
    petrolcarrier.png


    Liberty (EC2-S-C1)
    A large class of US standard built cargo ships. Originally a British design by J J Thompson of Sunderland it was modified for mass production in US yards and 2,751 were used. They served as store ships and MT ships, and when Antwerp opened as a port they sailed direct from the US.
    7176 tons.
    441 foot long.
    12.5 knots.
    liberty.png


    British Standard Types
    Not as famous or as numerous as US Standard types these were built in considerable numbers for the Ministry of War Transport and the Royal Navy. Contemporary accounts seldom distinguish between Liberty ships and their British counterparts.

    Shown are:
    Standard Type A
    Standard Type B
    Standard Type C

    britishstandard1.png

    britishstandard2.png



    US NAVY LANDING SHIPS.

    Ancon. AGC
    A Panama Railroad cargo/passenger liner built in 1939.
    6,812 tons
    494 foot long.
    18knots.
    Armament: 2 X 5”, 8 X 40mm.
    ancon.png



    Bayfield. APA. Utah Beach.
    Henrico. APA. Omaha Beach.
    Two identical C3-S-A2 ships.
    7,845 tons
    492 foot long
    18 knots.
    Armament: 2 X 5”, 8 X 40mm
    bayfield.png



    Dorothea L Dix. AP. Omaha Beach.
    Anne Arundel. AP. Omaha Beach.
    C3 Cargo types. When converted almost identical to C3-S-A2 types.



    Thomas Jefferson. APA. Omaha Beach.
    Charles Carroll. APA. Omaha Beach.
    Samuel Chase. APA. Omaha Beach.
    Three similar C3 types built as cargo/passenger liners and thus with more accommodation amidships.
    8,420 tons.
    490 foot long.
    17 knots
    Armament: 1 X 5”, 4 X 3”, 4 X 40mm.
    jefforson.png


    Thurston. AP. Omaha Beach.
    C2-F type.
    Achernar. AKA. Follow Up.
    C2-S-B1 Cargo type.
    7,300 tons
    459 foot long
    15 knots.
    Armament: 2 X 5”, 8 X 40mm.
    thurston.png



    Joseph T Dickman. APA. Utah Beach.
    A WWI standard President 535 troopship.
    14,000 tons.
    535 foot long.
    18 knots.
    dickman.png


    Barnett. APA. Utah Beach.
    Susan B. Anthony. AP. Follow Up.
    Two Grace Line cargo/passenger ships Built1928 and 1930.
    8,100 tons.
    466 foot long.
    16 knots.
    barnett.png



    Note:
    For excellent photographs of all US ships see
    Photo Archive Main Index.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 3, 2017
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