A Film; Colour of War: D-Day

Sometimes it's hard to belive there was colour in the world before 1950 or so. This fantastic DVD puts things straight. All in colour it provides much useful information on what landing crafts looked like. No more doubt on how dark Navy Blue or how gaudy red hull bottoms were. The film begins with a short recapitulation on Stalingrad, Tunisia, the invasion of Sicily, the conference in Casablanca where the Germany first doctrine was cemented. Although the title of this DVD is D-Day one should not think it is entirely on June 6. Most of the material is focused on the build up and aftermath of the actual landing itself. One can imagine there was not much filming done during the actual fighting on D-Day and therefore there aren't much to show, at least not in colour. Maybe that is the reason for the few genuine landing sequences to be so much more touching and horrible. Starring landing craft wise there will be LCVP, LCM, LCT, LST.

Much recommended.

A book; The World Encyclopedia of Amphibious Warfare Vessels

The Wold Encyclopedia of Amphibious Warfare Vessels; by Bernard Ireland, Lorenz Books


I have been searching high and low for quite some time  for an encyclopedia containing and comparing most, if not all, amphibious vessels. Now, i got it! The first 90 pages are texts on amphibious landings of different kinds and tactics, planning, logistics etc. The following 150 pages are dedicated to ships, various landing crafts and air cushion vehicles. Almost every type is getting one or two pages each for history, use and development. If you thought LCMs and LSTs were the only vessels for amphibious operations, please rethink! The book concentrate on the large countries capabilities but misses out totally on smaller crafts from smaller countries like the Swedish CB 90, now in use in half a dozen countries. The US Navy and Royal Marines have or are planning for including this nimble little boat in their inventories.  A Norwegian CB 90 is on one of the opening pages in this book so it's only half an omission! Read more about Combat Boat 90 here.

Much recommended.

A book; WW II US Landing Craft in action

WW II US Landing Craft in action, Al Adcock, Squadron/Signal publications

A fair introduction to the landing crafts and landing ships in US Navy use but do not expect to get fully educated or enlighted after having read this. The title says it all: hardly a word on British or French use of the oh so common materiel of an amphibious assault force. A supplement to other published matters but not really the one and only publication to lean on if you want to know more on this topic. What I do like is the number of line drawings and many photos of crafts and ships in action. The centre fold is great as it is showing three of the larger types in tropical camouflage schemes plus a number of the smaller ones.


Allright.