Assault boat

Last updated
ASPB on patrol during Operation Coronado IX, November 1967 80-G-K-42552.jpg
ASPB on patrol during Operation Coronado IX, November 1967

An assault boat is a boat used for landing in combat, specifically for inland waters. Their lightweight construction allows for them to be carried by multiple men on foot. They can either be paddled or fitted with an outboard motor for high-speed operation. Some assault boats can be fitted with small firearms such as automatic rifles. Larger assault boats are used in riverine and littoral water where the boat can easily berth in tight spaces and shallow waters. The length of assault boats is usually 5 to 20 meters and they are constructed from rubber, fiberglass, aluminum, or steel.

Contents

WWII

U.S. military

American soldiers deploy an M2 assault boat during the battle of Dornot-Corny next to the Moselle River M2 assault boat at dornot and moselle.jpg
American soldiers deploy an M2 assault boat during the battle of Dornot-Corny next to the Moselle River

Assault boats in the U.S. military during World War II were typically used by Combat Engineer Battalions, whose combat engineers deployed and crewed them. [1]

The Americans deployed two types of assault boats, the "Storm Boat" and the "M2." The "Storm Boat" was an 8-man (6+2 crew) high-speed assault boat with a 55-horsepower outboard motor designed to breach at speed thus allowing the soldiers on board to "storm the shore". The "M2" was a ten-man boat (8+2 crew) that was paddled.

British

The British used two types of assault boat: a "storm boat" and a lower performance canvas boat known as "The Goatley boat".

Overview of the differences between British and American Storm and Assault Boats

British soldiers crossing the Meuse-Escaut canal Infantry carrying assault boats.jpg
British soldiers crossing the Meuse-Escaut canal

Assault Boats

British Canvas BoatsU.S Plywood Boat, M-2
PortabilityCould be carried by four menNot easily portable
Water maneuverabilityEasily when loadedEasily when loaded or empty
Fragility in transitEasily damaged by rough handlingNot likely to be damaged
RepairabilityNot easily repairedEasily repaired
PurposeCarrying up to ten men [2] Infantry support rafts and assault boat bridge
AssemblyTwo minute assembly for two men [3]

Storm Boats

German soldiers in a rubber assault boat crossing the Meuse Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1971-088-63, Frankreich, Aiglemont, Maas-Ubergang.jpg
German soldiers in a rubber assault boat crossing the Meuse

a. British Storm Boat.

(1) Heavier to carry across the country.
(2) Would carry the heavier load (6-pounders or jeep though the latter a top-heavy load).
(3) Carried ten men but at a lower speed.

b. American Storm Boat.

(1) Carried by 6 men (plus 2 for motor).
(2) Would carry up to 1500 lbs with very little reduction in speed.
(3) Carried 7 men (above crew) at maximum speed.
(4) Was the faster boat; would beach at full speed.

c. Conclusions:

(1) For assault crossing of personnel the U.S. boat carried fewer men but got them across the river and in action much faster.
(2) For cargo carrying, the British boat carried a greater load but at a slower speed.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military engineering vehicle</span> Battlefield support vehicle

A military engineering vehicle is a vehicle built for construction work or for the transportation of combat engineers on the battlefield. These vehicles may be modified civilian equipment or purpose-built military vehicles. The first appearance of such vehicles coincided with the appearance of the first tanks, these vehicles were modified Mark V tanks for bridging and mine clearance. Modern military engineering vehicles are expected to fulfill numerous roles such as; bulldozer, crane, grader, excavator, dump truck, breaching vehicle, bridging vehicle, military ferry, amphibious crossing vehicle, and combat engineer section carrier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amphibious vehicle</span> Vehicle capable of transport on both land and over/under water

An amphibious vehicle is a vehicle that works both on land and on or under water. Amphibious vehicles include amphibious bicycles, ATVs, cars, buses, trucks, railway vehicles, combat vehicles, and hovercraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontoon bridge</span> Type of bridge

A pontoon bridge, also known as a floating bridge, uses floats or shallow-draft boats to support a continuous deck for pedestrian and vehicle travel. The buoyancy of the supports limits the maximum load that they can carry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inflatable boat</span> Lightweight boat constructed with flexible tubes containing pressurized gas

An inflatable boat is a lightweight boat constructed with its sides and bow made of flexible tubes containing pressurised gas. For smaller boats, the floor and hull are often flexible, while for boats longer than 3 metres (9.8 ft), the floor typically consists of three to five rigid plywood or aluminium sheets fixed between the tubes, but not joined rigidly together. Often the transom is rigid, providing a location and structure for mounting an outboard motor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landing craft</span> Seagoing watercraft

Landing craft are small and medium seagoing watercraft, such as boats and barges, used to convey a landing force from the sea to the shore during an amphibious assault. The term excludes landing ships, which are larger. Production of landing craft peaked during World War II, with a significant number of different designs produced in large quantities by the United Kingdom and United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combat rubber raiding craft</span> Rubberised fabric tactical inflatable boat used by the US Navy

The Zodiac Milpro Futura Commando 470 or in short FC470 combat rubber raiding craft (CRRC), also known as the "combat rubber reconnaissance craft," is a specially fabricated rubber inflatable boat often used by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Army, and others. The CRRC is typically called "Zodiac," referring to the boat's manufacturer, Zodiac Milpro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landing Vehicle Tracked</span> Amphibious transport vehicle family from World War II

The Amphibious Vehicle, Tracked (LVT) is an amphibious warfare vehicle and amphibious landing craft, introduced by the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The United States Army, Canadian Army and British Army used several LVT models during World War II, and referred to those vehicles as "Landing Vehicle, Tracked."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DD tank</span> British WWII amphibious swimming tank

DD or duplex drive tanks, nicknamed "Donald Duck tanks", were a type of amphibious swimming tank developed by the British during the Second World War. The phrase is mostly used for the Duplex Drive variant of the M4 Sherman medium tank, that was used by the Western Allies during and after the Normandy Landings in June 1944.

Landing Craft Assault Landing craft used extensively in World War II

Landing Craft Assault (LCA) was a landing craft used extensively in World War II. Its primary purpose was to ferry troops from transport ships to attack enemy-held shores. The craft derived from a prototype designed by John I. Thornycroft Ltd. of Woolston, Hampshire, UK. During the war it was manufactured throughout the United Kingdom in places as various as small boatyards and furniture manufacturers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landing craft mechanized</span> Landing craft designed for carrying vehicles

The landing craft mechanized (LCM) is a landing craft designed for carrying vehicles. They came to prominence during the Second World War when they were used to land troops or tanks during Allied amphibious assaults.

CB90-class fast assault craft Ship class

Stridsbåt 90 H(alv) is a class of fast military assault craft used by several countries after being originally developed for the Swedish Navy by Dockstavarvet. Its name means Combat Boat 90 Half; the 90 refers to the year of acceptance (1990) and Half refers to the fact that it can carry and deploy a half platoon of amphibious infantry fully equipped. The CB90 is an exceptionally fast and agile boat that can execute extremely sharp turns at high speed, decelerate from top speed to a full stop in 2.5 boat lengths, and adjust both its pitch and roll angle while under way. Its low weight, shallow draught, and twin water jets allow it to operate at speeds of up to 40 knots (74 km/h) in shallow coastal waters. The water jets are partially ducted, which, along with underwater control surfaces similar to a submarine's diving planes, gives the CB90 its manoeuvrability.

USS <i>Epping Forest</i>

USS Epping Forest (LSD-4/MCS-7) was an Ashland-class dock landing ship acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II for duty in the Pacific Theater. Her task was to carry and land amphibious landing craft and other equipment and to recover and repair landing craft when possible. Named for an estate in Lancaster County, Virginia where Mary Ball Washington, mother of George Washington, was born, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amphibious warfare ship</span> Ship used in amphibious warfare

An amphibious warfare ship is an amphibious vehicle warship employed to land and support ground forces, such as marines, on enemy territory during an amphibious assault.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Engineer Special Brigade</span> Former amphibious engineer forces of the United States Army from 1942 to 1955

The Engineer Special Brigades were brigade-sized amphibious forces of the United States Army developed during World War II and active from 1942 to 1955. Initially designated engineer amphibian brigades, they were redesignated engineer special brigades in 1943. The 1st, 5th, and 6th Engineer Special Brigades were assigned to the European Theater of Operations. The 1st Engineer Special Brigade participated in the landings in Sicily and Italy before joining the 5th and 6th Engineer Special Brigades for the invasion of Normandy.

The Mk 6 Assault Boat is an assault boat used by the Royal Engineers of the British Army. It is usually paddled for a silent or night-time approach, but can be fitted with an outboard motor. Its built from glass reinforced plastic and is light enough to be carried by four men.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goatley boat</span> Collapsible boat built for military use

The Goatley boat was a collapsible boat built for military use. The boat had a wooden bottom and canvas sides, could carry ten men and weighed around 150 kilograms (330 lb). Assembly time was estimated at two minutes with two men. The boat was designed by, and named after, Fred Goatley of Saunders-Roe, and used in a number of commando and other operations by the British Forces during World War II.

MTSM motor torpedo boat

The MTSM motor torpedo boat was a series of small motor torpedo boats developed by the Italian Royal Navy during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Engineer Combat Battalion</span> Military unit of US Army Corps of Engineers

An Engineer Combat Battalion (ECB) was a designation for a battalion-strength combat engineer unit in the U.S. Army, most prevalent during World War II. They are a component of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Operation Platypus was an operation by Allied special reconnaissance personnel from Z Special Unit during the Borneo Campaign of World War II. Platypus involved small groups being inserted into the Balikpapan area of Dutch Borneo (Kalimantan), to gather information and organise local people as resistance fighters against the Japanese.

References

  1. NARRATIVE ACCOUNT OF 270TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION Period 1 March 1945 - 31 March 1945, accessed 27 September 2018
  2. "Goatley boat", Wikipedia, 2022-03-30, retrieved 2023-01-04
  3. "Goatley boat", Wikipedia, 2022-03-30, retrieved 2023-01-04