INITIAL TRIALS OF THE LST(2) IN THE UNITED KINGDOM [Main Title]

Loading and unloading trials with LST[2]

The first trial is abortive: after a 3-1/2 knot approach, the over-ballasted LST grounds prematurely, and the vehicle ramp is lowered in 3 ft 10 in of water. A Bedford OY, travelling too fast down the beach, bellies in at the foot of the ramp. LST withdraws, lightens water-ballast, and re-approaches the beach at 5 knots - when lowered the vehicle ramp comes almost to the shore. LST embarks upper deck cargo of light vehicles - Bedford OYs, Leyland Retriever, Bedford MWD 15-cwt fitted with an AA mounting, and Bren gun carriers. Interior shots show winch elevator transferring vehicles to the upper deck. Cargo is completed by seventeen Churchill IIIs, taken onto the lower deck. Captions note the time of various operations, and the problems encountered. LST gets underway. Note on AA protection, and MCU of Oerlikon position. Unloading operations: tanks are driven ashore, followed by light vehicles. Leyland Retriever breaks radius rod coming down vehicle ramp, and is towed away by Scammell. Note on vertical fan shafts, for exhausting carbon monoxide generated by tanks running their engines on the lower deck. Concluding commentary expresses satisfaction with this first trial, but stresses the need for thorough preparation and training of drivers, and the use of four wheel drive vehicles for assault purposes.

35mm