American Amphibious Vehicles

The LVT (or Landing Vehicle Tracked) started out as a rescue vehicle to be used for travelling over swamps. The US navy soon got involved and after some improvements they were ready for military use. They first saw action during the Guadalcanal campaign, mainly for moving supplies but later variants were used to transport marines from ship to shore with the added ability to cross reefs. Many were lost during the fighting to take Tarawa mainly due to their light armour. They served all through the Pacific campaign and some saw action in Europe. They were up-graded as the war went on and later models saw action in the Korean War. Other amphibious vehicles included the ubiquitous DUKW and the small but handy Weasel.