Portcities London

reflecting our cultures

[Bypass: Visit the Port Cites Consortium ]

[Bypass: Search Facilities ]

Maritime London Partnership

-Bypass site links | Full graphics | About this Site | Feedback

On this site:

[Bypass: Main Menu ]

You are here: PortCities London home > About maritime London > 20th-century port

Fighting back: the port, the Thames and the liberation of Europe

Chapter Index

Send this story to a friend | Printer-friendly version | View this story in pictures

The need for landing craft

The importance of landing craft

Landing Craft Mechanised, by Lesley Cole. © NMM

British troops had been forced to withdraw from France in 1940 and Greece in 1941.

If they were to return to mainland Europe to confront the Axis armies, they would have to fight their way ashore. This required huge numbers of landing craft to carry the men and supplies to the beaches.

The Badcock Yard

Side view of landing craft LCM42. © NMM

While the major dockyards were needed for building the bigger warships, many small yards in Britain were used for the construction of landing craft of various types.

One of these was the D. Badcock (Marine) Ltd Yard (formerly the London Yard) at Cubitt Town on the Isle of Dogs.

The Badcock craft

A side view of landing craft TLC340 under construction

Landing craft LCT340 under construction. © NMM

Badcock built four large LCTs (Tank Landing Craft). As they could carry several tanks, they played an important part in amphibious operations alongside the smaller LCAs (Assault Landing Craft) and other vessels.

Landing craft LCM42 at the Badcock Yard in Cubitt Town.

The LCM42 at the Badcock Yard. © NMM

The Badcock Yard had earlier built 18 smaller LCMs (Landing Craft Mechanised). The LCM was able to carry a single tank or two lorries.

Landing craft at Harland and Wolff

Landing craft LCT913 under construction at the Harland and Wolff yard in North Woolwich.

Another London yard making landing craft was the Harland and Wolff ship repair facility near the entrance to the King George V Dock.

Several larger landing craft were built here during the later stages of the war.

Chapter Index

Send this story to a friend | Printer-friendly version | View this story in pictures

[Bypass: Search Facilities ]

Glossary

Dock

FIND OUT MORE

RELATED RESOURCES

6 Images