Landing Vehicle Tracked

Two men of the maintenance section work to put a track back on an armored amphibian tractor in the 1st Armored Amphibian tractor Battalion command post area on the Kimpo Peninsula. 1st of July 1953.

The Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT) was a class of amphibious vehicles introduced by the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Army during World War II. Originally intended solely as cargo carriers for ship to shore operations, they rapidly evolved into assault troop and fire support vehicles as well. The types were all widely known as amphtrack, amtrak, amtrac etc., a portmanteau of amphibious tractor.

A prototype during testing, 1940.

Development

The LVT had its origins in a civilian rescue vehicle called the Alligator. Developed by Donald Roebling in 1935, the Alligator was intended to operate in swampy areas, inaccessible to both traditional cars and boats. Two years later, Roebling built a redesigned vehicle with greatly improved water speed.

LVTs embarking British Royal Marine commandos leave USS Fort Marion (LSD-22) for the beach at Sorye Dong, North Korea, on 7 April 1951. The commandos blew up about 100 yards of railroad, in an effort to interdict enemy logistics, and were then successfully reembarked.

The United States Marine Corps, which had been developing amphibious warfare doctrine based on the ideas of Lt. Col. Earl Hancock "Pete" Ellis and others, became interested in the machine after learning about it through an article in Life magazine and convinced Roebling to design a more seaworthy model for military use. After more improvements, made difficult by Roebling's lack of blueprints for the initial designs, to meet requirements of the Navy, the vehicle was adopted as Landing Vehicle Tracked, or LVT.

Picture of the Alligator I, 1935. It was the first „prototyp“ of the later LVT-family, developed by Donald Roebling, great-granson of John August Roebling who built the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City.

The order to build the first 200 LVTs was awarded to the Food Machinery Corporation (FMC), a manufacturer of insecticide spray pumps and other farm equipment which built some parts for the Alligators, the initial 200 LVTs were built at FMC's Dunedin, Florida factory, where most of the improvement work had been done as well. Eventually the company became a prominent defense contractor, United Defense (now part of BAE Systems Land and Armaments).

LVT(A)1, North Field Tinian, left over from WW2.

During the War LVT production was expanded by FMC and the Navy to four factories, including the Intital Facility in Dunedin, Florida; the new facilities were located in Lakeland, Florida, Riverside, California, and San Jose, California. Roebling Construction would get the lucrative construction contract for the Lakeland factory, this being the sum total of Roebling's profit from his Invention, as the quite patriotic Roebling refused to accept any direct royalties or commissions from the government, seeing it as his personal duty in support of the war effort.

An alligator IV cones ashore from the sea.

Initial training on the LVTs was done at the factory in Dunedin under the auspices of the first Amphibian Tractor School, led by Major William W. Davies. Until barracks and maintenance facilities were completed the School and it's students were housed in the Hotel Dunedin.

Marine Sergeant Clarence H. Raper (right) and Corporal Walter L. Gibson pose beside the first amphibian tractor procured by the Marine Corps, an Aligator V.

The LVT 1 could carry 18 fully equipped men or 4,500 pounds (2,041 kg) of cargo. Originally intended to carry replenishments from ships ashore, they lacked armor protection and their tracks and suspension were unreliable when used on hard terrain. However, the Marines soon recognized the potential of the LVT as an assault vehicle.

It appears that one Marine is relieving another on the beach at Saipan but they are really crawling under enemy fire, to their assigned positions.

Armored versions were introduced as well as fire support versions, dubbed amtanks, which were fitted with turrets from Stuart series light tanks (LVT(A)-1) and Howitzer Motor Carriage M8s (LVT(A)-4). Among other upgrades were a new powerpack, also borrowed from the Stuarts, and a torsilastic suspension which significantly improved performance on land.

General Frank E. Lowe observing the front lines during the Korean War. The lead tank of the attacking force is in the background. Note enemy truck overturned. Near Souza, Korea on the 18th of September 1950.

Production continued throughout the war, resulting in 18,621 LVTs delivered. In late 1940s a series of prototypes were built and tested, but none reached production stage due to lack of funding. Realizing that acquisition of new vehicles was unlikely, the Marines modernized some of the LVT-3s and LVT(A)-5s and kept them in service until late 1950s.

LVT-1 exhibited by manufacturer (FMC) in 1941 parade, Lakeland, FL.

Variants

LVT-1 (1941) The first military model. Traveling at a respectable six knots in the water and twelve mph on land, it could deliver 24 fully-equipped assault troops to the beach, and supply supporting fire from two .30 cal. machine guns. Many vehicles were refitted prior to the Tarawa to hold two .50 cal Browning machine guns forward, with the .30cal guns aft.

U.S. Marine Corps LVT-1 amphibian tractors move toward the beach on Guadalcanal Island. This view was probably taken during the 7-9 August 1942 initial landings on Guadalcanal. The troopship USS President Hayes (AP-39) is in the background, 7th-9th of August 1942.

The vehicle was not armored and its thin steel hull offered virtually no protection, although prior to the Tarawa landing some vehicles received 9 mm armor to the cab. Tracks performed well on sand, but not on tough surfaces. Proper maintenance of the new machine was often an issue, as few Marines were trained to work on it, and early models suffered frequent breakdowns. 1,225 units produced.

A LVT-2 Water Buffalo, loaded with Marines, churns through the sea bound for beaches of Tinian Island near Guam. July 1944.

LVT-2 Water Buffalo, British designation Buffalo II (1942) Featured new powertrain (taken from the M3A1 light tank) and torsilastic suspension.

LVT-2.

Hard terrain performance was much better compared to the LVT-1. 2,962 units produced.

LVT(A)-1.

LVT(A)-1 (1942, A stands for armored) Based on the LVT-2, this fire support version had an armored (6 to 12 mm) hull. It was fitted with a turret nearly identical to that of the Light Tank M3, with a 37 mm Gun M6 in an M44 mount, and also carried two rear-mounted machine guns. 510 units produced.

LVT(A)-2

LVT(A)-2 Water Buffalo (1943) Armored version of the LVT-2. Capacity 18 troops. 450 units produced.

New LVT-4s were delivered to the 718th Amphibious Tractor Battalion on Okinawa in preparation for the invasion of Japan.

LVT-4 Water Buffalo, British designation Buffalo IV (1943) The engine was moved forward and a large ramp door was added to the rear, allowing troops to exit from the rear of the vehicle. This innovation also greatly facilitated the loading and unloading of cargo. Some vehicles received armor kits. It was by far the most numerous version of the LVT, with 8,351 units delivered. Many of the British LVT versions were armed with a Polsten 20 mm cannon and 2 × .30 cal Browning MGs.

LVT-4(F) Sea Serpent: British version armed with flamethrowers.

LVT(A)-3 Armored version of the LVT-4, never approved for production.

LVT-3 produced by Borg Warner used the first time in the invasion on Okinawa.

LVT-3 Bushmaster (1944) Developed by the Borg Warner Corporation, this vehicle had engines moved to sponsons and a ramp installed in the rear similarly to the LVT-4. Some received armor kits. First used in Okinawa in April 1945. 2,964 units produced.

LVT(A)-4

LVT(A)-4 (1944) Another fire support version, with 75 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 turret armed with a 75 mm howitzer, in some cases replaced with the Canadian Ronson flamethrower. A single .50 cal machine gun was installed on the ring mount above the turret rear. In the late production vehicles the heavy machine gun was replaced with two M1919A4 .30 MGs on pintle mounts and one more in the bow mount. 1,890 units produced.

LVT(A)-5

LVT(A)-5 (1945) LVT(A)-4 with powered turret and a gyrostabilizer for the howitzer. Some were upgraded in late 1940s by changing armor configuration. 269 units produced.

LVT-3C.

LVT-3C (1949) Modified LVT-3. Armored roof was fitted and the bow was extended to improve buoyancy. Armament included .30 MG in a turret and .30 bow MG in ball mount. 1200 LVT3s were converted.

Amphibian, tracked, 4-ton GS (1944/45) A British vehicle based on the LVT-4 and known as the Neptune. Only a handful of the 2,000 ordered were completed.

Sealion: recovery version.

Turtle: workshop version.

Stopped at the Beach Barricade. This LVT-1 was put out of action by enemy fire on Beach RED 1 during an attack on Tarawa.

Combat history

The LVT were mainly used for logistical support at Guadalcanal, up until the development of the LVT-4 version which allowed for embarkation and disembarkation from a rear ramp, greatly improving combat utility by allowing the passengers to dismount from the vehicle much more quickly. Previous versions had no such means of entry or exit.

Tracked landing vehicles (LVT-4s), jam-packed with 4th Marine Division troops, approach the Line of Departure at H-hour on D-day. In the center rear can be seen the control vessels which attempted to maintain order in the landing.

The first usage of the LVT in combat was during the amphibious assault on Tarawa. Of 125 vehicles used, only 35 remained operational by the end of the day. Still, a number managed to successfully ferry men across the coral reef and through the shallows to the beach.

Buffaloes of 4th Royal Tank Regiment being transported forward in preparation for crossing the Rhine, 21st of March 1945.

Marines who arrived in LCVP Higgins boats, on the other hand, could not cross the reef and had to wade through chest-deep or higher water while under enemy fire; casualties were horrific and many who did make it to the beach alive had lost their rifles and other essential gear.

Men of the 1st Cheshire Regiment crossing the Rhine in Buffaloes at Wesel, 28th of March 1945.

Despite their apparent utility however, the LVT-4 was too lightly armoured for combat, and the open crew and passenger compartment resulted in serious injuries from both machine gun fire and shrapnel. The operation also revealed the need for close-in fire support, which the Amtracs lacked.

'Buffalo' amphibious vehicles taking troops of the Canadian First Army across the Scheldt in Holland, September, 1944.

As a result of Tarawa experience, standardized armor kits were provided for the LVTs employed in contested landings, and the gun-armed "amtanks" LVT(A)-1 and LVT(A)-4 were developed to provide fire support.

Men of the 5th Dorsetshire Regiment crossing the Rhine in a Buffalo, 28th of March 1945.

Armed with a 75 mm howitzer, the latter was especially effective in this role as it was capable of destroying Japanese fortifications as it came ashore. However the LVT(A)-4 had an open-topped turret which left the crew vulnerable to artillery and infantry attack, especially to the latter as it lacked any sort of machine gun armament.

USS TENNESSEE, bombarding Okinawa with her 14"/50 main battery guns, as LVTs in the foreground carry troops to the invasion beaches, 1st of April 1945.

The lack of machine gun armament was eventually rectified, though the open-topped turret remained. Although usually used during landings only, in the Marianas campaign "amtanks" were employed inland, much like regular tanks.

A column of 'Alligator' amphibious vehicles passing Terrepin amphibious vehicles on the Scheldt River near Terneuzen, October the 13th, 1944.

The largest use of the LVTs was in the Leyte landing, with nine amtrac and two amtank battalions deployed. As there was no fighting on the beaches, this is also one of the least famous LVTs operations. Over 1000 LVTs took part in the Battle of Okinawa.

Marines land on Tinian island in the face of light Japanese opposition. Here men wade in from stalled landing boats while Amphibious tractors move in and out from the beachhead with ease. In the background can be seen the huge force of troops, carrying ships, and fighting ships which took part in the landing. July the 25th, 1944.

Although usually associated with the Pacific theatre, toward the end of the war LVTs were employed in Europe as well. The U.S., British and Canadian Armys used the Buffalo in the Battle of the Scheldt, during Operation Plunder, along the Po River in Italy, across the river Elbe, and in a number of other river crossing operations.

Like some recently killed prehistoric monsters, these LVTs lie on their sides, completely destroyed on the beach by Japanese mines and heavy artillery fire.

Some LVT-3Cs and modified LVT(A)-5s saw action in the Korean War. The French Army used the U.S.-supplied LVT-4s and LVT(A)-4s in the Indochina War and in the Suez Crisis.

LVTP-5 Amtracs coming into the LPD during training exercises involving the 1st Amphibious Tractor Battalion., 19th of April 1968.

Modern descendants

In 1950s LVTs still in service were replaced by the LVTP-5 family vehicles, which in turn were followed by the LVT-7 family, eventually redesignated AAV. Incidentally, the AAV is manufactured by BAE Systems Land and Armaments, which was the first company to produce the LVT (as FMC).

An Amored Assult Vehicle (AAV) from Echo Company, 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, moves into the city of Fallujah, Iraq. 1st Marine Division, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, is engaged in Security and Stabilization Operations (SASO) in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. 14th of April 2004.

Currently, many of the world's militaries employ more modern versions of the amphtrack. One of the latest is the United States Marine Corps EFV, slated to begin replacing the AAV in 2015.


LVT-4

Place of origin United States

Specifications

Weight 16.5 tonnes
Length 7.95
Width 3.25
Height 2.49
Crew 3+30 passengers
Armor optional 6–13 mm
Primary armament 2 × .50 cal Browning M2HB MGs
Secondary armament 2 × .30-06 Browning M1919A4 machine guns
Engine Continental W-670-9A; 7 cylinder, 4 cycle, gasoline radial engine 250 hp
Power/weight 15.2 hp/t
Suspension torsilastic
Operationalrange 240 km (road), 80 km (water)
Speed 32 km/h, in water 12 km/h

Damaged LVT(A)-4 amtank at Iwo Jima beach, ca. February/March 1945.

LVT(A)-4

Specifications

Weight 18.1 tonnes
Length 7.95
Width 3.25
Height 3.1
Crew 6 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, assistant driver, AA machine gunner)
Armor 6 to 38 mm
Primary armament 1 × 75 mm M2/M3 Howitzer
Secondary armament 3 × .30-06 Browning M1919A4 MGs
Engine Continental W-670-9A; 7 cylinder, 4 cycle, radial gasoline 250 hp
Power/weight 13.9 hp/t
Suspension torsilastic
Operational range 200 km (road), 120 km (water)
Speed 40 km/h, in water 11 km/h