LST Mk2 history

The LST (Landing Ship, Tank) was conceived during the Second World War and produced from November 1941 to allow the allied forces to land a maximum of heavy equipment without using any harbor facilities.

The LST were first used in the amphibious operation Torch in 1942, in North Africa. The reports are very successful, thus the Allies decided to reuse the Landing Ship, Tank, in their amphibious operations: in Sicily, Normandy and during Operation Dragoon in Provence, south of France. It was quickly nicknamed the Large Slow Target by the American soldiers.

At the end of the Second World War in 1945, the Allies needed only two months to build a LST. The Landing Ship, Tank, Mk2 were used until the 60s and it took part in the Korean war.

The last LST was withdrawn from service in 2002.

LST Mk2 sheet

Country creator/user: USA
Denomination: LST Mk2
Total production: 1,051 (during WW2)

Transport : 2,100 tons of material or 20 tanks or 400 equipped soldiers
Maximum speed: 11,5 knots
Lenght: 100 m
Width: 15,25 m
Weight: 1,625 tons (empty) - 4,080 tons (loaded)

Armament: seven 40 mm guns and 12 guns 20 mm

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