General Wavell asked for landing craft to be used in the Far East in January 1942

The Chiefs of Staff Committee considered the telegram No. D. 3/2 dated 18 January sent by general Wavell (1) in which he asked for landing craft suitable for combined operations in the Far East. The Prime Minister asked in the meantime to get a report later the same day. The Committee instructed the Joint Planning Staff to consult the adviser on Combined Operations to advice as soon as possible what to do with the telegram.

Note

1. Field marshal Archibald Percival Wavell (5 May 1883 Colchester, England-24 May 1950 Westminster, London, England). Appointed to Commander-in-Chief of ABDACOM (=American-British-Dutch-Australian Command) on 1 January 1942. The command was formed on 15 January.

Source

The National Archives. CAB 79-17-20. War Cabinet. Chiefs of Staff Committee. Minutes of meeting held on Monday 19 January 1942 10:30 a.m. 

American dock landing ship (LSD) USS Gunston Hall 44 1986-

Portsmouth, England February 2024

Portsmouth Past en Present

USA-flagged, MMSI 368869000 and call sign NGUN. Whidbey-class. Building awarded on 21 November 1983, laid down by Avondale Shipyards, New Orleans, USA on 26 May 1986, launched on 27 June 1987, commissioned on 22 April 1989. 

Taiwanese landing craft Lien Chieh (266) 1950s

LSIL-class. Former American Landing Craft. Full load displacement 387 tons and as dimensions 159 x 23 2/3 x 5 2/3 feet. Armament 2-2cm anti aircraft guns. Crew numbered 28 men. 2-Shaft diesel propulsion, 1,320 bhp, speed 14 knots.

Characteristics for an American amphibious transport dock (LPD) in March 1961

Dimensions 510 x 84 x 18 feet. Speed 20 knots. Troop capacity 1,000. Cargo capacity 2,500 tons. Aircraft 6 H-37 or 12 H-34 helicopters(rotors folded). Well capacity 9-LCM6 or 1-LCU and 3-LCM6 or 4-LCM-8.

Source

Army forces in amphibious operations (the Army Landing Force). Department of the Army Field Manual FM 31-12. March 1961. 

Taiwanese Landing craft (ex-USS LCI(L)-630 1944, LCI(G)-630 1944-1945, LCI(M)-630 1945-1948) Lien Cheng (264) 1948-1950s

LSIL-class. Laid down by New Jersey Shipbuilding Corporation, Barber, N.J., USA on 12 May 1944, launched on 7 June 1944, commissioned as LCI (L)-630, reclassified as LCI(G)-630 on 31 December 1944, reclassifed as LCI(M)-630 on 30 April 1945, transferred to China on 7 Feburary 1948. Former American Landing Craft, Infantry (Mortar). Full load displacement 387 tons and as dimensions 159 x 23 2/3 x 5 2/3 feet. Armament 2-2cm anti aircraft guns. Crew numbered 28 men. 2-Shaft diesel propulsion, 1,320 bhp, speed 14 knots.

British amphibious transport dock Albion (L14) 1996-

Den Helder, Netherlands 1 July 2023

United Kingdom-flagged, MMSI 9160592, MMSI 234612000 and call sign GDIU. Deck code AN. Building ordered on 18 July 1996, laid down by BAE Systems Marine, Barrow-in-Furness, England on 23 May 1998, launched on 9 March 2001, commissioned on 19 January 2003 and major refit 2014-2017. Part of Albion-class preceded by Fearless-class. 

Italian landing helicopter dock San Marco (L-9893 1985-

Kieler kanaal, Germany 20 June 2023

Italy-flagged, homeport Brindisi, call sign IARM, hull number 5825. Part of San Giorgio or Santi-class amphibious transport docks modified into landing helicopter dock preceded by Grado and Caorle. Laid down by Fincantieri, Riva Trigoso, Italy on 26 March 1985, launched on 10 October 1987 and commissioned on 14 May 1988.

Taiwanese LSM landing craft (ex-LSM-155 1944-1946) Mei Chen (241 1946-1979, LSM-649 1980-2005) 1946-2005

Laid down by Charleston Navy Yard, South Carolina, USA on 19 May 1944, launched on 19 June 1944, commisssioned on 26 July 1944, decommissioned and loaned to Taiwan on 29 May 1946, permanently handed over on 7 February 1948, since 1979-1980 the LSM-649 and decommissioned on 1 June 2005. Landing Ship Medium=LSM. Displacement 520 (light)-743 (landing)-1,095 (full load) tons and as dimensions 196.5 (waterline)-203.5 (over all) x 34.5 x 7.5 feet. Armament in the 1950s 2-4cm anti aircraft guns, 4-2cm anti aircraft guns. Diesel propulsion supplied via 2 shafts 2,800 bhp allowing a speed of 12 knots. Crew numbered 59 men. 

British auxiliary landing ship dock RFA Mounts Bay (L3008) 2002-

Amsterdam, Netherlands 28 June 2023

United Kingdom-flagged, homeport Falmouth, England, IMO 92407720, MMSI 232697000, call sign GCIC and deck code MB. Of the Bay-class preceded by Round Table-class, originally designed as auxiliary landing ship dock (ALSL), since 2002 classified as Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) (LSD (A)). Based on the Royal Schelde Enforcer design resulting in the Dutch Rotterdam and Spanish Galicia classes amphibious warfare ships. Building ordered on 19 November 2001, laid down by BAE Systems, Govan, Scotland on 25 August 2002, launched on 9 Apil 2004 and commissioned on 13 July 2006. 

British auxiliary landing ship dock RFA Lyme Bay (L3007) 2000-

Naval Annual Days at Den Helder, Netherlands 11 July 2008

United Kingdom-flagged, homeport Falmouth, England, IMO 9240768, deck code YB and MMSI 235051012. Of the Bay-class preceded by Round Table-class, originally designed as auxiliary landing ship dock (ALSL), since 2002 classified as Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) (LSD (A)). Based on the Royal Schelde Enforcer design resulting in the Dutch Rotterdam and Spanish Galicia classes amphibious warfare ships. Building ordered on 18 December 2000, laid down by Swan Hunter on 22 November 2002, launched on 3 September 2005, completed by BAE Systems, Govan, Scotland, commissioned on 26 November 2007. 

Dutch Landing Platform Dock Zr. Ms. Johan de Witt (L801) 2003-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 3 March 2022

Netherlands-flagged, IMO 9280768, MMSI 244527000 and call sign PAJW. Especially built for amphibious operations on the frontier water-land. Able to act as floating headquarters for force of 50.000 military on land. Able to transport a complete amphibious marines battalion of maximum 555 men during 30 days and support then a land operation during 10 days and embark the battalion again. Contract for her building signed in May 2002. Laid down with yard number 393 at the Damen Shipyard at Galatz, Romania on 18 June 2003, the dry dock in which was the casco was built, was filled with water on 26 October 2004 to allow towing the casco to the deep part of the dock, later the casco was towed towards the Damen shipyard at Vlissingen where she was completed, christened on Saturday afternoon 13 May 2006, trials 20 September-11 October and in December 2006, commissioned on Friday 30 November 2007 and handed over by the shipyard to the Royal Netherlands Navy on 7 March 2008. Accommodation for maximum 739 persons. Displacement maximum 15.500 ton and dimensions 176,35 x 29,2 x 5,9 metres. Speed 19,5 knots. Crew numbers 146 persons. Armed with 2-3cm Goalkeeper systems.

American mechanized-artillery transport USS Gunston Hall (APM5/LSD-5) according to the report of progress of naval construction dated 1 May 1942

Contracted by Moore Dry Dock Co., Oakland, California, USA. Gain percentage completion for April 1942=0.5. Gain percentage completion for April 1942=1.5. Number of months between keel laying and completion 13. Contracted date of completion 1 August 1943. Date completion reported by shipyard on 15 November 1943. Latest date completion reported by shipyard 15 November 1943. Of the Ashland-class dock landing ships, succeeded by Casa Grande-class.(1)

Note

1. Launched on 1 May 1943, first stime commissioned on 10 November 1943, last time decommissioned and stricken in May 1970, sold to Argentina in 1970, renamed ARA Candido de Lasala (Q-43), decommissioned in 1981 and sold tob e broken up.

Source

Franklin Roosevelt D. Roosevelt Presidential Library&Museum. Bureau of Ships: reports 1 May 1942 FDR’s President’s Secretary’s Files (psfc000095).

American mechanized-artillery transport USS Epping Forest (APM4/LSD-4) according to the report of progress of naval construction dated 1 May 1942

Contracted by Moore Dry Dock Co., Oakland, California, USA. Gain percentage completion for April 1942=1.0. Gain percentage completion for April 1942=2.0. Number of months between keel laying and completion 12. Contracted date of completion 1 June 1943. Date completion reported by shipyard on 16 August 1943. Latest date completion reported by shipyard 16 August 1943. Of the Ashland-class dock landing ships, succeeded by Casa Grande-class.(1)

Note

1. Laid down on 23 November 1942, launched on 2 April 1943, first time commissioned on 11 October 1943, last time decommissioned and stricken on 31 October 1968 and sold to be broken up on 30 October 1969.

Source

Franklin Roosevelt D. Roosevelt Presidential Library&Museum. Bureau of Ships: reports 1 May 1942 FDR’s President’s Secretary’s Files (psfc000095).

American mechanized-artillery transport USS Lindenwald (APM6/LSD-6) according to the report of progress of naval construction dated 1 May 1942

Contracted by Moore Dry Dock Co., Oakland, California, USA. Gain percentage completion for April 1942=0.5. Gain percentage completion for April 1942=1.5. Number of months between keel laying and completion 2. Contracted date of completion 1 September 1943. Date completion reported by shipyard on 15 November 1943. Latest date completion reported by shipyard 115 November 1943. Of the Ashland-class dock landing ships, succeeded by Casa Grande-class.(1)

Note

1. Laid down on 22 February 1943, launched on 11 June 1943, first time commissioned on 9 December 1943, stricken on 1 December 1967 and sold to be broken up on 26 September 1968.

Source

Franklin Roosevelt D. Roosevelt Presidential Library&Museum. Bureau of Ships: reports 1 May 1942 FDR’s President’s Secretary’s Files (psfc000095).

American mechanized-artillery transport USS Oak Hill (APM7/LSD-7) according to the report of progress of naval construction dated 1 May 1942

Contracted by Moore Dry Dock Co., Oakland, California, USA. Gain percentage completion for April 1942=0.5. Gain percentage completion for April 1942=1.5. Number of months between keel laying and completion 12. Contracted date of completion 1 October 1943. Date completion reported by shipyard on 15 December 1943. Latest date completion reported by shipyard 15 December 1943. Of the Ashland-class dock landing ships, succeeded by Casa Grande-class.(1)

Note

1. Laid down on 9 March 1943, launched on 25 June 1943, commissioned on 5 January 1944, decommissioned on 26 October 1969, stricken on 31 October 1969 and sold to be broken up on 15 April 1970.

Source

Franklin Roosevelt D. Roosevelt Presidential Library&Museum. Bureau of Ships: reports 1 May 1942 FDR’s President’s Secretary’s Files (psfc000095).

American mechanized-artillery transport USS White Marsh (APM8/LSD-8) according to the report of progress of naval construction dated 1 May 1942

Contracted by Moore Dry Dock Co., Oakland, California, USA. Gain percentage completion for April 1942=0.5. Gain percentage completion for April 1942 1.5. Number of months between keel laying and completion 11.5. Contracted date of completion 1 November 1943. Date completion reported by shipyard on 31 December 1943. Latest date completion reported by shipyard 31 December 1943. Of the Ashland-class dock landing ships, succeeded by Casa Grande-class.(1)

Note

1. Laid down on 7 April 1943, launched on 19 July 1943, commissioned on 29 January 1944, decommissioned in September 1956, handed over to Taiwan in November 1960, renamed ROCS Chung Cheng (LSD-191) and broken up in 1985.

Source

Franklin Roosevelt D. Roosevelt Presidential Library&Museum. Bureau of Ships: reports 1 May 1942 FDR’s President’s Secretary’s Files (psfc000095).

American mechanized-artillery transport USS Carter Hall (APM3/LSD-3) according to the report of progress of naval construction dated 1 May 1942

Contracted by Moore Dry Dock Co., Oakland, California, USA. Gain percentage completion for April 1942=1.0. Gain percentage completion for April 1942=2.0. Number of months between keel laying and completion 12. Contracted date of completion 1 May 1943. Date completion reported by shipyard on 15 July 1943. Latest date completion reported by shipyard 15 July 1943. Of the Ashland-class dock landing ships, succeeded by Casa Grande-class.(1)

Note

1. Launched on 4 March 1943, first time commissioned on 18 September 1943, last time decommissioned on 31 October 1969, stricken on 31 October 1969 and sold to be broken up on 28 August 1970.

Source

Franklin Roosevelt D. Roosevelt Presidential Library&Museum. Bureau of Ships: reports 1 May 1942 FDR’s President’s Secretary’s Files (psfc000095). 

American mechanized-artillery transport USS Belle Grove (APM2/LSD-2) according to the report of progress of naval construction dated 1 May 1942

Contracted by Moore Dry Dock Co., Oakland, California, USA. Gain percentage completion for April 1942=1.5. Gain percentage completion for April 1942=2.5. Number of months between keel laying and completion 12. Contracted date of completion 1 April 1943. Date completion reported by shipyard on 15 June 1943. Latest date completion reported by shipyard 15 June 1943. Of the Ashland-class dock landing ships, succeeded by Casa Grande-class.(1)

Note

1. Laid down on 27 October 1942, launched on 17 February 1943, commissioned on 9 August 1943, decommissioned and stricken 12 November 1969 and sold to be broken up on 24 July 1970.

Source

Franklin Roosevelt D. Roosevelt Presidential Library&Museum. Bureau of Ships: reports 1 May 1942 FDR’s President’s Secretary’s Files (psfc000095).

American mechanized-artillery transport USS Ashland (APM1/LSD-1) according to the report of progress of naval construction dated 1 May 1942

Contracted by Moore Dry Dock Co., Oakland, California, USA. Gain percentage completion for April 1942=2.0. Gain percentage completion for April 1942=3.0. Number of months between keel laying and completion 12. Contracted date of completion 1 March 1943. Date completion reported by shipyard on 13 May 1943. Latest date completion reported by shipyard 15 May 1943. Of the Ashland-class dock landing ships, succeeded by Casa Grande-class.(1)

Note

1. Laid down on 22 June 1942, launched on 21 December 1942, first time commissioned on 5 June 1943, last time decommissioned on 22 November 1969, stricken on 25 November 1969 and sold to be broken up in May 1970.

Source

Franklin Roosevelt D. Roosevelt Presidential Library&Museum. Bureau of Ships: reports 1 May 1942 FDR’s President’s Secretary’s Files (psfc000095).