The Role of Landing Craft Mechanized (LCMs) in D-Day Landing Operations
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World War II was a period of intense innovation and unity, especially in Louisiana, where around 280,000 men and women served in the armed forces. The state hosted over 30 military bases and more than 40 prisoner of war camps, playing a vital role in supplying the Allied forces with oil, synthetic rubber, and ships. This dedication was a part of a broader American effort, symbolized powerfully in the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944. On that day, thousands of Allied troops made their way to Normandy, France, marking a significant step in the fight against German forces.
Development and Significance of the Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM)
A common image associated with the D-Day landings is the “Higgins boat,” a term often mistaken to represent all ramped landing crafts. However, Andrew Higgins, an innovative boat designer, produced two key types: the Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) and the lesser-known but equally critical Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM).
The development of the LCM is a story of determination and quick thinking. In April 1941, during a trip to Washington, D.C., Higgins spotted a Bureau of Ships design for a tank lighter. Returning to Louisiana, he tasked his engineers to create a sturdy, all-steel vessel. Their success was so immediate that when representatives from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps visited, instead of showing them plans, Higgins presented a fully operational craft. “Higgins informed the board that when it arrived, instead of plans he would have a workable craft. ‘It can’t be done,’ the navy replied. ‘The hell it can’t,’ Higgins shouted back, ‘you just be here in three days.’” This can-do attitude resulted in a 45-foot tank lighter, completed in 61 hours, which impressed the visitors enough to place an order for 50 units.
The LCM was a heavy-duty vessel, capable of transporting a 30-ton tank or 60 fully equipped men. Unlike the wooden LCVP, the LCM was an all-steel construction with two engines, allowing for 130-mile trips. Its large, heavy steel ramp was perfect for deploying tanks directly onto the beaches.
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Heroic Contributions of LCMs in the D-Day Operations
D-Day saw the deployment of approximately 1,500 Higgins boats, including hundreds of LCMs. Known as “Mike” boats, these LCMs were vital in landing American troops on French shores, often making the journey under their power. The travel was difficult, especially in rough seas, but the LCMs’ strength and design allowed them to carry out their mission effectively.
One notable story involves Lieutenant (junior grade) Robert E. Bedford and his LCM from Flotilla 2. Bedford’s boat was part of a group tasked with landing demolition teams and Airborne troops. Despite coming under heavy fire, the crew succeeded in their mission, illustrating the bravery and skill of those who operated these vessels. Bedford donated a collection of his photos to The National WWII Museum, capturing the early moments of the landing.
The crews of these LCMs faced grueling conditions, with no rest from the moment they left England until their task was completed. Nonetheless, they performed admirably, contributing significantly to the success of the D-Day operations. The commander of Flotilla 2 praised his men, saying, “The successful arrival of all LCMs at the Utah area under their own power, and the maintenance of a daily average of operational craft, which was far beyond the highest expectations, was mainly due to the courageous spirit, cooperative attitude, and the ability to endure trying conditions by all the enlisted personnel and division officers.”
This narrative of the LCMs at D-Day challenges the notion that one type of Higgins boat played a pivotal role in the operation. The LCM’s abilities to transport heavier loads and navigate on its own power showcased the diversity and adaptability of the Allied forces’ strategy.
