LVTs in the Pacific (and Europe)

[EarlyWarGamer]

Since Rubicon are going to bless us (shortly) with the arrival of a number of LVTs, including the LVT-2, LVT-4, LVT(A)-1, LVT(A)-2, and LVT(A)-4, I thought the following info might prove useful:

Model   Built      Distribution & Use                                   Production Data

LVT-1   1,225   540 USMC, 485 US Army, 200 Allies         - 72 (1941), 851 (1942), 302 (1943)
                        First used on Guadalcanal (Aug 1942) but only to ferry supplies.
                        Also used on Bougainville (Nov 1943), Tarawa (Nov 1943) and New Britain (Dec 1943).

LVT-2   2,962   1,355 USMC, 1,507 US Army, 100 Allies  - 1,540 (1943), 1,422 (1944)
                        First used on Tarawa (Nov 1943).
                        Also used on New Britain (Dec 1943), Kwajalein (Feb 1944), Eniwetok (Feb 1944),
                        Saipan (Jun 1944), Guam (Jul 1944), Tinian (Jul 1944), Peleliu (Sep 1944), Iwo Jima (Feb 1945)
                        and Okinawa (Apr 1945).

LVT-3    2,964   2,962 USMC                                          - 1 (1943), 733 (1944), 2,230 (1945)
                        First (and only use) on Okinawa (Apr 1945).
                        For a number of reasons, this craft was not available for combat use until the invasion of Okinawa in April 1945.

LVT-4   8,351   1,765 USMC, 6,086 US Army, 500 Allies - 11 (1943), 4,980 (1944), 3,360 (1945)
                        First used on Saipan (Jun 1944).
                        Also used on Guam (Jul 1944), Tinian (Jul 1944), Peleliu (Sep 1944), Philippines (Oct 1944),
                        Iwo Jima (Feb 1945) and Okinawa (Apr 1945).

LVT (A)-1 510   182 USMC, 328 US Army                         - 3 (1942), 288 (1943), 219 (1944)
                        First used on Kwajalein (Feb 1944).
                        Also used on Eniwetok (Feb 1944), Saipan (Jun 1944), Guam (Jul 1944), Tinian (Jul 1944),
                        Peleliu (Sep 1944) and Okinawa (Apr 1945).

LVT (A)-2 450   450 US Army                                           - 200 (1943), 250 (1944)
                        First used on New Britain (Dec 1943).
                        Also used on Kwajalein (Feb 1944), Iwo Jima (Feb 1945) and Okinawa (Apr 1945).

                        Essentially an armored version of the LVT-2, with minor differences to the cab area.  In addition,
                        over 1,000 of the LVT-2s listed above (those built starting in March 1944) were assembled using
                        the armored cab specifications, giving them an appearance similar to the LVT (A)-2, but they
                        were not given the official (A) designation.

LVT (A)-4 1,890  533 USMC, 1,307 US Army, 50 Allies       - 1,489 (1944), 401 (1945)
                          First used on Saipan (Jun 1944).
                          Also used on Guam (Jul 1944), Tinian (Jul 1944), Peleliu (Sep 1944), Iwo Jima (Feb 1945), and
                          Okinawa (Apr 1945).

                          Early models proved to be vulnerable to enemy close assaults due to a lack of machineguns. 
                          After Tinian (Jul 1944) the LVT (A)-4 was modified, and went from a single .50 MG (with no shield)
                          located at the rear of the open turret (in a ring), to having two .30 MGs, one on each side of the turret
                          (each with an armored shield).  A third .30 MG was added in a ball mount in the hull.  This revision was
                          known as the “Marianas Model”, and would be seen in battles after Tinian.

The only two LVT models missing from the Rubicon lineup are the LVT-1 (used in early war Pacific battles), and the LVT-3 (which was only available for a single campaign during the late war period).  For Guadalcanal and Bougainville the LVT-1 was the ONLY LVT used.  So the lack of an LVT-1 is a "hole" in the lineup (so to speak).  There are other craft available to cover Okinawa.

For Europe, both the LVT-2 and LVT-4 were in Commonwealth service from late 1944 (August) through the end of the war.

[tyroflyer]

Excellent information as always EWG. I completely agree with your comments on the LVT-1.

[AmTrac1833]

I'm on board for an LVT1, or a few. 
It would not take much effort to offer an LVT(A)5.  Add counterweight to the barrel, add turret basket along with motors/controls inside to provide the powered and gyro-stabilized turret. Finally, add the suspension from the LVT4 and we have an LVT(A)5.  I believe some made it to Okinawa but with end of the war there were less than 300 produced.
It would be awesome to have an LVT3 but, that will require a lot of effort for a vehicle that only saw action on Okinawa. 

[EarlyWarGamer]

The LVT(A)-5 was in the works (as you stated, it saw the introduction of a gyro-stabilization system), the war ended before any were employed.  They did form the backbone of the Marine Corps pairing of LVT-3 (for cargo and troops) and LVT(A)-5 (for armed amtracs) for many years following WWII ... including Korea.

[AmTrac1833]

I had opportunity to help maintain and drive an LVT(A)5 Modified which places that variant high on my "to do" list.  I'm kit bashing / converting some LVT(A)5 Modified kits in 1/72 and 1/35.  I even have the later style track support rollers 3D-printed in both scales.  With Rubicon's release of an LVT(A)4 and LVT4 I will also be doing the same in 1/56. 
The LVT3 is the only variant on which I do not have a pile of data.  I have only a reproduced copy of the Technical Manual and information supplied in various other references.  However, if I can source track and suspension components from current kits, a 1/56 LVT3 may be worth investing the effort towards a scratch built hull.

[Cat]

That's a very helpful list, thanks!

Have you come across any reference to LVTs being used on the Treasury Islands 27 Oct – 12 Nov 43, the prelude to Bougainville?  Presumably just the LVT-1 if any.

When I get around to building Seabees, that battle will be high on the scenario list.

[EarlyWarGamer]

I've found no reference to LVTs being used in the Treasury Islands campaign. Possibly because it was a New Zealand operation (nearly all the foot troops were Kiwis) with allied support personnel (such as Seabees like you mentioned).

I compiled that earlier list by going through everything I could get my hands on regarding LVTs. And I went looking for operations NOT listed, to see if I could find their use in other (possibly lesser know) campaigns. But I never found anything outside my first stack of materials.

I am also a (mostly in the shadows) member of he TO&E group, where Gordon Rottman regularly contributes.  For those who don't know him, he is a prolific author of numerous books, many on the war in the Pacific - head to Amazon and type in his name and you will get a LONG list of titles.  Anyway, I asked HIM if he had any information on other LVT usage, perhaps something he came upon during his research that just never made it into a book, and he said no.  The LVTs were organized into Amphip Battalions, and where they went, and which campaigns they served in was documented.

So I think you may be out of luck with a Treasury Island diorama featuring an LVT.

[Cat]

Thanks for the follow up on LVT usage!

I did come across a pdf on SeaBee ops and that mentioned 'extensive use' of LCMs.  So at the very least those will be good for general use.  And an LCM (3) is coming!