Amphib Assault questions......

[captskillet]

I've noticed that when I include LCI's in my amphib TF's they never load troops.........I assume they are used historically in that they are 'carried' in LCT's or LST's and then loaded right before H-hour.........is that assumption correct???????

Next......... how many LCI's, LCVP's, & LCM's do you guys use per division and how do you best use the LST's & LCT's............do you use them for support troops (arty, armor, engs) or do you carry everything with them? I guess when you get the Marine amphib tractor units later the LST/LCT route is best for them????

[Dereck]

Here's basically what I'm going to have for my amphibious task forces when I invade Kwajalein:

Amphib TF #1: [first wave assault]
- V Amphibious Corps HQ (LST:7200)
---- 1xLSD, 6xLST, 3xLCI
- 1st USMC Division (LST:34042)
---- 1xLSD, 33xLST, 7xLCI

Amphib TF #2: [first wave assault]
- 2nd USMC Division (LST:33152)
---- 1xLSD, 33xLST, 7xLCI

Amphib TF#3: [first wave assault]
- 1st USMC Armored Amphib Battalion (LST:2090)
---- 1xLSD, 1xLST, 3xLCI
- 183rd USA Field Artillery Regiment (LST:2000)
---- 1xLSD, 1xLST, 3xLCI
- 47th USA Engineer Regiment (LST:5620)
---- 1xLSD, 4xLST, 5xLCI

Amphib TF #4: [floating reserve]
- 4th USMC Division (AP:18992)
---- 6xAP
- 40th USA Division (AP:20764)
---- 6xAP
- 193rd USA Tank Battalion (LST:2518)
---- 3xLST, 3xLCI
- 767th USA Tank Battalion (LST:2518)
---- 3xLST, 3xLCI

Amphib TF#5: [air support and engineers]
- 39th SeaBees (AP:3480)
---- 1xAP
- 48th SeaBees (AP:3480)
---- 1xAP
- 50th SeaBees (AP:3480)
---- 1xAP
- 805th EAB (AP:2700)
---- 2xAP
- 71st Aviation Regiment (AP:8100)
----- 2xAP
- Supplies
----- 5xAK

I use LSD and LST ships for units I want to unload fast (initial assault forces and floating reserve if I have enough total LSD/LST ships). LCIs I found will load infantry but not armor and artillery. I usually try to add 3xLCI per unit just for immediate supplies for the combat troops (I'll load the unit, add 3xLCI and then load supplies). For my air support and engineer task force I'll use regular AP ships since those units won't be used for combat and won't be landed until the day after I capture the base and I'll bring those ashore to build/repair the base while my combat units are still fighting the Japanese.

I'm not sure what other people do but that's what I've been doing.

[Bradley7735]

In my experience, I've only seen LCI's load supplies. I haven't experimented much, but after a few tries, I just stopped trying to load LCU's on LCI's.

I only use LCI's as you would use barges. In all, they suck because unlike barges, they will award victory points when sunk. Even barges load LCU's if you want them to.

bc

[String]

I'd suggest putting the amphib reserve on more ships. If you're going to need it then you're going to need it to unload fast, otherwise you'll shock attack yourself silly over several days, negating the effect of more troops being brought in. IIRC a division needs about 60-70 (ship size doesn't matter) AP's to unload in one go. Atleast the bigger japanese ones do.

[tanksone]

Last I remember LCI stands for Landing Craft Infantry. The only way I think you can use them is to use load troops only . I know when I'm hopping that 5 LCIs will carry a whole US enngy regiment.

[The Dude]

I also cant seem to load troops on the LCIs. So i just dont bother using them. I just make 33 LST/LSD/LSV TFs. After loading the troops on and whatever supllies i can hold i sometimes combine them into 100 ship tfs. It means that they dont get much covering fire but if my bombardment TFs and Airstrikes do their job then that means i shouldnt have to worry about it. Either way i get enough of them to cover loses. Wheni invaded Okinawa I had 9 Divs on LSTs for the 1st wave

[captskillet]

Dont any of you guys use the LCVP's LCM's & LCT's??? My method was (and may be revised somewhat, using less AP's and more LST's & LCT's) use enough AP's for the Div. loadout and then usually add 10 to 15 each of LCVP's, LCM's and LCT's (depending on how many troops/div's in the attack) to the TF to load out the assault wave(s). I mainly used the LST's to carry the supporting armor, arty eng's. I think since I got a bunch o' LST's I will strictly use the above mentioned L's and then add enough LST's so's the entire Div. hits the beach at once and mainly use the AP's to ferry the reserve, the occupation forces and to move troops between bases.