Higgins LCP(L) in British use

[Hanno Spoelstra]

After threads on the LCA, LCVP and Storm and Assault Boats, I'd like to learn some more about the Landing Craft, Personnel (Large), or LCP(L).

The LCP(L) was the production version of Higgins' Eureka boat. It was built for the US Navy and Marines, but was also supplied (in numbers unknown to me) to the British where it was initially known as the "R-boat" and used for Commando raids.

Can anyone supply us with more information/photos regarding the use of the LCP(L) by the British and/or Canadians?

Thanks!
Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Some technical data and plan from http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/...hips-lcpl.html

LCP(L) - Landing Craft, Personnel (Large), aka "T" boats, Higgins Eureka model:

• Displacement: 13,500 pounds (light), 21,600 pounds (loaded)
• Length: 36'
• Beam: 10'9"
• Draft: 3'6" aft (loaded)
• Speed: 10 knots
• Armament: 2 .30-caliber mg
• Complement: 3 crew, 1 officer/3 craft
• Capacity: 36 troops or 8,100 lbs. cargo
• Diesel engines
• 2,193 built

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Also from the same source, a picture of one in British use, apparently. Note the spray screen and overhead weather protection, probably added to make them a bit more useful in NW Europe.

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
Can anyone supply us with more information/photos regarding the use of the LCP(L) by the British and/or Canadians?

Hi Hanno;

No. 3 Commando used them at Dieppe (19 Aug 42) and there is mention of them in the War Diary of The Calgary Regiment for 19 Aug 42. I'll post more later and a photo or two.

Cheers

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
Can anyone supply us with more information/photos regarding the use of the LCP(L) by the British and/or Canadians?

Hi Hanno;

Two other Canadian units which used 'R-boats' during the raid on Dieppe, were the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada (Green Beach), who crossed from Newhaven onboard LCP(L)s of the:

Second Flotilla Group Six, consisting of LCP(L)s Nos.: 19; 88; 94; 119; 125; 129; 147; 156

Sixth Flotilla Group Six, consisting of LCP(L)s Nos.: 127; 130; 131; 132; 134; 135; 136; 153; 158

Seventh Flotilla Group Six, consisting of LCP(L)s Nos.: 83; 84; 99; 101; 102; 104; 110; 113; 159; 160

and the other was Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal (the Floating Reserve), who were onboard LCP(L)s of the:

Fourth Flotilla Group Seven, consisting of LCP(L)s Nos.: 28; 53; 170; 172; 173; 174; 175; 186; 187; 188; 192; 195; 199; 212

Fourth Flotilla Group Seven, consisting of LCP(L)s Nos.: 31; 45; 155; 163; 165; 166; 167; 208; 209; 210; 614

No. 3 Commando (Yellow Beach) were embarked in LCP(L)s of the:

First Flotilla Group Five, consisting of LCP(L)s Nos.: 1; 80; 81; 85; 86; 87; 95; 118; 128; 145; 157

Twenty-Fourth Flotilla Group Five, consisting of LCP(L)s Nos.: 3; 4; 13; 15; 23; 24; 34; 40; 41; 42; 43; 44; 78; 115

Which puts the total used at Dieppe at approx. 77.

Cheers

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Mark,

Excellent info re. their use at Dieppe!

I understand later during the war their role was taken over by the LCVP and LCA, but it continued in use as a Survey Craft, Rescue Launch and guide for the larger landing craft. I read they were used in these roles during the D-Day landings, but do you know if they were used during the amphibious landings in the Scheldt estuary (Operation Infatuate) as well?

Thanks,
Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
used during the amphibious landings in the Scheldt estuary (Operation Infatuate)

I guess they were, as two of them were lost during that operation (source):

LCP(L) No.127, 134 (total 2, 8-11t each) Lost in Operation Infatuate, Walcheren Landings, Holland. Date reported, 44/12

Interesting to see LCP(L) No.127 served in both the Dieppe and the Scheldt operations. Now Mark, you are going to come up with a reference to it being used in Normandy as well, aren't you?

H.

[Noel Burgess]

Accordint to Lenton & Colledge in "Warships of World War II" - Royal Navy LCP(L) were numbered 1-400, 501-600 & 701-800 so a total of 600. 66 were lost in 1944 and 4 in 1945. Some were converted to LCN - Landing Craft, Navigation and some to LCP(Sy) - Landing Craft, Survey
The large number lost in 1944 suggests that some may have been used at Normandy probably in the build up as ferry craft but I doubt they landed troops in the assault.

Appendix B to AHQ report No 54 lists the landing craft of Force J which includes "36 LCP(L) Smoke" but no other LCP(L)

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Noel Burgess
The large number lost in 1944 suggests that some may have been used at Normandy probably in the build up as ferry craft but I doubt they landed troops in the assault.

Noel, thanks for the information.

At www.history.navy.mil I came across another picture of a British LCP(L) - would this be a LCN - Landing Craft, Navigation?

Photo #: SC 193917

Normandy Invasion, June 1944

Wrecked landing craft during the Normandy storm, 21 June 1944.
British LCP(L)-556 is at left. The British LBK-7 (with a large "Food" sign displayed) is in the center. USS LCT-611 is in the right distance. In the right foreground is an oil-spattered LCVP.

Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

[Noel Burgess]

I've spent far too much time searching for the one good photo' of an LCN that I have but can't remember which book it is in. The picture you posted certainly has a larger " cabin" than was normal on later British LCVP but I seem to recall that LCN had a full lenghth cabin - one description I have found is: -

LCVP with superstructure to provide covered wireless room / control position and engine room. Equipment included BO13 Radar on a strut-supported bipod mast aft - this could be lowered to stow on deckhouse

Assault from the Sea by J D Ladd

Afraid this doesn't help too much.

Also found this website which deals with postwar use of landing craft by the French in Indochina - http://indochine54.free.fr/ceteol/boats.htm

[Alex van de Wetering]

Both of the following pictures appear in the book "Les Navires du debarquement", written by Yves BUFFETAUT.

Alex

[Alex van de Wetering]

According to BUFFETAUT, this picture was taken somewhere in the British landing area in Normandy. Judging from the houses in the background (which are very close to the beach) I recon these pictures were taken in the Sword area, maybe Hermanville, Luc-sur-Mer or St Aubin-sur-Mer.

At least two LCP(L)'s can be seen on the right.

Alex

[Alex van de Wetering]

Just stumbled upon this article. It seems the museum in Vierville Normandy has saved an LCP from the scrappy:



http://www.ouest-france.fr/actu/actu...actuLocale.Htm

[servicepub (RIP)]

I have these which may be of interest. All are in Canadian use and most pre-date the Dieppe raid.

[servicepub (RIP)]

And three more.

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by servicepub

And three more.

Some time ago we had a discussion of the use of Thompsons in Canadian service..here we see a trooper carrying one..