The front door-opening LSTs were used extensively in the first few weeks to unload vehicles directly on the beach. Later they were rather unloaded offshore with Rhinoferry pontoons or LCT 6 with double front and rear entrances. The grounding on the beach was more risky for the hull (especially with a rough beach like Omaha Beach) and it immobilized the empty vessel during a tide. It was advantageous in the event of an emergency of land-based needs.
The photos below were often taken on 9 June 44, when significant ammunition delays had been accumulated since 6 June and were expected to be resolved at all costs. Finally, the LST bowls held well, but they still had to accumulate mechanical fatigue. Colleville Beach was chosen for the operation, as it was east of the Mulberry and Gooseberry construction area and thus easier to manoeuvre.
Plan of a LST (Landing Ship Tank) 100m long, 2,100t payload(details) The upper deck of a loaded LST
(details) LST convoi on June 5, each one with a dam ball that will be left on the beach with its black crew of the 320th Balloon Bon.
(details)the upper deck of a loaded LST(details) upper deck of LST, empty
(details) An impressive series of about ten LSTs stranded side by side on June 9 in Colleville The LSTs on the beach are (right to left): USS LST-312; LST-320 and LST-321 (British); USS LST-72; a U.S. LST. Navy (LST-51_ - last digit not visible); LST-324 (British); USS LST-311; USS LST-49; USS LST-373; USS LST-47 and two unidentified LSTs.
Illustration not available in the transmitted fund. (details)
(details)A LST, open doors on the beach. In the foreground an LCM Abandoned.
An English truck, type "Matador" carrying equipment for the GCI air traffic control post operating in US Zone (St Pierre du Mont partitr of 10 June)
LST 337
(details) A Sherman from the 2nd DBUS leaves an LST on Omaha Beach
GIs do sport while waiting for the sea to withdraw enough for LST discharge to begin
(details) A mark 6 TCL, double front and rear door, is loaded by the door of the LST 282 wet offshore(details) The LCT mark 6, double front and rear input, moves away from LST 282 after being loaded(details) A mark 6 TCL, double front and rear input, loaded through the door of the LST 282(details) Unloading to LCTMk6
Loading of Rhinoferries pontoons at sea
(details) LST 357 hanging operation at the Rhino pontoon(details) A Rhino pontoon hanging on an open door LST
