The LCVP

Amphibious Warfare

World War II required a massive change in the doctrine and tactics of the U.S. military. Because Axis forces eventually controlled entire land masses, U.S. forces would have to cross two oceans, land by boat, and fight their way into enemy-held territory. In order to place combat troops on an enemy shore, special boats were needed that could land directly onto a defended beach. These boats would then extract themselves under their own power and return to larger troop ships for another load of soldiers and equipment. This use of naval power to place armed men and firepower onto a hostile shore is known as amphibious warfare.

To find boats capable of meeting the task, the military turned to New Orleans boat-builder Andrew Higgins. Higgins developed special boats in the 1930’s known as “Eureka Boats,” which were capable of navigating the shallow waters of Louisiana’s bayous and swamps. With design changes to include armor, a ramp, and machine guns for defense, the improved Higgins Boat entered production for military service as the Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel, or LCVP.

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