These LCT (Landing Craft, Tank) photo's were provide by our friend,
Richard Fox. His web site is dedicated to the LCT's of WW2, and his
photo's are provided here to give the viewer some small idea of what
it was like on a LCT during WW2! He has two web sites, which I have
trouble accessing, but you may have a better computer than I do, so visit:
US LCT 376 Home Port
or the "mirror site" at
WW2 Landing Craft Tank
If you have any photo's that are related, then PLEASE feel free to contact me
Note: These are very large graphics files! Give them time to load!
Here is a "model" of LCT 22 !
LCT Mk5 landing at Normandy !
An LCT sits on the deck of an LST !
Diagram showing the size specifications of an LCTmk6 !
M105 Howitzer Mounted on M7 Track Vehicle !
Photo Courtesy of Irving Smolens!
The 29th Field Artillery was equipped with these throughout the war in Western Europe
as were the other 2 artillery battalions of the 4th Infantry Division. The only exception
that I know of was with B Battery, which had burned out the rifling on 2 tubes
and ordnance did not have replacements so they were issued trail drawn conventional 105s
after the advance into Germany the first time. I think it must have been in September
or October of 1944.
Infantry divisions are not normally equipped with M-7 105s. Because we were the assault
division, it was felt that M-7s would be more maneuverable on the beaches and also that
we could line them up on deck, 2 in front and 2 in back, and fire support fire onto the
beach. The tracks could easily absorb the recoil whereas trail drawn guns could not be
dug in on a steel deck. The 2 guns in back, firing high trajectory fire actually would
fire over the heads of the 2 guns in front.
These oddities and departures from established practice are important, as it was this type
of innovative thinking that set the tone for the initiative and flexibility of our combat
soldiers and proved to be an important factor in our ultimate victory.
Historical note from Irving Smolens:
A comparison of the above two graphics should provide you with some idea of the
"close quarters" our men experienced during the Invasion landing at Utah Beach!
