Chapter 428 Preparations for Landing (3)

Riedel reported, "Your Highness, as per your instructions, the transformation of the amphibious assault ships is proceeding smoothly."

Speaking of amphibious assault ships, they were invented by Japan during World War II.

As is well known, there has always been a tradition of discord between the army and navy within the Japanese military, which did not cease even during World War II. From major strategic directions to specific technical equipment, the contradictions between the army and navy had surpassed the usual inter-service rivalry. Even during the war, when unity was essential, both services continued to act independently, and their cooperation throughout the war was far from tacit, with numerous instances of undermining each other. Due to this adversarial relationship, both sides went their separate ways in equipment development, leading to the famous World War II joke, "The army builds aircraft carriers, the navy builds tanks."

When the army initially designed its large landing craft, it took lessons from World War I and the potential landing battlefields of the future. However, at that time, practical experience gave the army a clearer understanding of the needs for landing craft.

The first "aircraft carrier" was ordered by the Army Ministry, with the basic design entrusted to the Naval Ship Administration. Construction began on April 8, 1933, at the Harima Shipyard, launched on March 14 the following year, and completed on November 15. The first "aircraft carrier" did not have a through-flight deck and was essentially closer to a dock landing ship. The large upper structure's deck could accommodate 16 small motorized landing craft, while the interior served as a hangar for aircraft. To conceal the true function of this large box-like structure, the military dubbed the deck inside the building as the "horse stall deck," implying that the hangar was a cabin set up to transport military horses. This box-like structure was about 4.5 meters high, with soldier cabins and crew living quarters below the "horse stall deck." The front and rear of the upper structure were used to carry large motorized landing craft and armored boats, each equipped with a large crane for rapid loading and unloading.

As a landing ship, the core of the Shinshū Maru was the 25 large motorized landing craft it carried, which could be launched into the water through deck cranes, the stern ramp and slide, and the side door cranes in the middle of the ship's hull. The landing craft entering the water from the stern door could directly load Type 89 medium tanks. The aviation operation capability was achieved through catapults, with an expected load of 12 Type 91 fighter aircraft. However, there was no flight deck on the ship, so once the aircraft were catapulted, they could only hope that the army brothers ashore would quickly secure a flat piece of ground for landing, as the "Imperial Land Eagles" would probably disdain landing on the navy's foolish aircraft carriers.

Later, the American military named this type of ship "Landing Helicopter Dock," abbreviated as LHD; translated directly, it means helicopter dock landing ship. This highly summarizes the definition of an amphibious assault ship with three key words—helicopter + dock + landing. It has the dock of a dock landing ship for carrying landing craft or amphibious tanks, as well as a large flight deck for accommodating and ensuring the takeoff and landing of helicopters (including vertical take-off and landing aircraft).

The German navy department transformed the existing 10,000-ton escort aircraft carriers into amphibious assault ships.

Since it was transformed from an aircraft carrier, this type of amphibious assault ship could naturally also launch and land aircraft. However, the hangar was significantly reduced, accommodating only 4 A-1 attack aircraft inside, plus 6 more on the deck, meaning this amphibious assault ship could only carry 10 A-1 attack aircraft and 4 helicopters.

The interior of the amphibious assault ship underwent a transformation, adding three layers of cabins for loading landing craft/vehicles. The cabins could accommodate 10 different types of landing craft.

Germany's standard landing craft today is the LCVP landing craft from World War II America, arguably one of the most important weapons of the U.S. military during the war. This is mainly due to its outstanding ability to quickly deploy, evacuate, or repeatedly transport troops, equipment, and supplies to enemy beaches. Apart from the landing ladder at the bow, the entire craft is made of wood. The LCVP craft is 3.2 meters wide and has a draft of 1 meter under full load conditions, with a displacement of 12 tons and a maximum speed of 9 knots.

In addition, there is the LCT Mark 2 landing craft, which is quite simple in structure, requiring only 60 hours to assemble one craft. The LCT Mark 2 landing craft is 4.3 meters wide, with a full-load displacement and a deployable bow landing ladder, capable of carrying a 16-ton tank. Unlike the wooden LCVP landing craft, the LCT Mark 2 is made entirely of metal. The control area is protected by 6mm armored steel plates, and the craft is also equipped with two 7.62mm machine guns.

There is also an improved version of the LCT Mark 2, the LCT Mark 3. With a full-load displacement, it can carry a medium tank or armored vehicle weighing up to 30 tons.

Additionally, the amphibious assault ship is equipped with 6 twin-mounted 128mm high-low angle dual-purpose guns, 6 twin-mounted 40mm anti-aircraft guns, and 16 13mm anti-aircraft machine guns. Among them, the 6 twin-mounted 128mm high-low angle dual-purpose guns can be used to bombard the shore to support the landing troops.

Wilhelm asked, "How many amphibious landing ships can be ready by the end of February? Can we ensure the number of landing craft?"

Landing operations are highly dependent on transport capacity. In addition to the first wave of ships hitting the beach, it is necessary to prepare for the follow-up of three to four waves of troops. The number of landing ships not only determines the strength of the landing but also ensures the continuity of the combat power of the landing troops. If there is a problem with subsequent support, the landing troops will face the danger of annihilation, a key issue that cannot be overlooked.

"According to the current progress, we can prepare 15 amphibious landing ships, and we can ensure the number of landing craft. The floating dock you ordered is also ready."

In the past, beach landings were near enemy ports to ensure timely replenishment of troops and materials, preventing the vanguard from being wiped out or driven into the sea by the enemy. But the enemy is not a fool and will naturally deploy heavy troops to protect these strategic locations. As a result, the attackers may not be able to land successfully even at a tremendous cost, and even if they do, the port may have been thoroughly destroyed by the enemy beforehand, rendering it useless.

During the Normandy landings, the Allies used a temporary modular dock similar to a pontoon bridge to establish a dock capable of handling cargo in the Normandy region, which lacked ports!

This feat, or rather this innovation, gave the Allies greater flexibility during the landing operations. Its emergence technically solved the problem of choosing landing sites and could forcibly ensure logistical support for the landing troops when necessary.

"Very good," Wilhelm nodded in satisfaction. "It seems that everything is now ready."