This “restricted” World War II-era black-and-white film was produced by the US Navy to introduce the viewer to the LTV — the Landing Vehicle Tracked (an amphibious warfare vehicle and amphibious landing craft). An LTV “narrates” the film as the vehicle is shown being utilized by US Marines (mark 00:52) on a test course. Maneuvering across the ditches and through mud, we’re told how it could also be used as a bridge if necessary, as we see at mark 01:30. An LTV emerges from a tank landing ship and hits an unidentified beach in the Pacific Ocean at mark 02:25 while taking fire. Combat footage fills the screen as the action is narrated including Japanese soldiers being burned from their hiding places by flamethrowers (mark 04:45). LVTs are used to transport wounded Marines from the battlefield to hospital ships (mark 05:10) before returning to the firing lines, where a flamethrower is affixed to the vehicle (mark 05:55) “where we give that hill the hot foot — but good.” Following some routine maintenance, the LTV is ready for action while new vehicles that only recently rolled off assembly lines are ready for the war.
The Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT) is an amphibious warfare vehicle and amphibious landing craft, introduced by the United States Navy. The United States Marine Corps, United States Army, and Canadian and British armies used several LVT models during World War II.
Originally intended solely as cargo carriers for ship to shore operations, they evolved into assault troop and fire support vehicles. The types were known as amphtrack, “Amtrak”, “amtrac”, etc. (portmanteaus of “amphibious tractor”), and “alligator” or “gator”.
The contract to build the first 200 LVTs was awarded to the Food Machinery Corporation (FMC), a manufacturer of insecticide spray pumps and other farm equipment, which built some parts for the Alligators. The initial 200 LVTs were built at FMC’s Dunedin, Florida factory, where most of the improvement work had been done as well. The first production LVT rolled out of the plant in July, 1941.[3] Later wartime LVT production was expanded by FMC and the Navy to four factories, including the initial facility in Dunedin; the new facilities were located in Lakeland, Florida, Riverside, California, and San Jose, California.
The LVT-1 could carry 18 fully equipped men or 4,500 pounds (2,041 kg) of cargo. Originally intended to carry replenishment from ships to shore, they lacked armor protection and their tracks and suspension were unreliable when used on hard terrain. However, the Marines soon recognized the potential of the LVT as an assault vehicle. A battalion of LVTs was ready for 1st Marine Division by 16 February 1942. The LVTs saw their first operational use in Guadalcanal, where they were used exclusively for landing supplies. About 128 LVTs were available for the landings.
In 1941 the USMC recommended development of an LVT armed with a 37mm gun and three machine guns and armored against 0.50 (12.7mm) machine gun fire, the LVT-2 Buffalo. Armored versions were introduced as well as fire support versions, dubbed Amtanks, which were fitted with turrets from Stuart series light tanks (LVT(A)-1) and Howitzer Motor Carriage M8s (LVT(A)-4).
Production continued throughout the war, resulting in 18,621 LVTs delivered. 23 US Army and 11 USMC battalions were equipped in 1945 with LVTS. British and Australian armies also used LVTs in combat during World War two.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
