Page 151
136
Page 151
These ships, on completion, will become the
depot ships for the landing craft crews and could be sent to the training areas of the R.M. Brigade and Army Brigade Groups that may be allotted for landing operations.
(b) Order a further eighteen pairs of davits for
landing craft, so that all four ships referred to at (a) can be fitted out.
(c)
(a)
Convert two train ferrics to carry M.L.C.
with tanks on board (fifteen to each ship). The War Office, I understand, have no objection providing M.T. carrying capacity is not seriously affected. Landing trials have been completed. Carrying capacity will hardly be affected.
Order the replacement of the 10 A.L.C. lost in
Norway and on the French coast and hasten the completion of the remaining craft now on order. In addition it is proposed that 50 M.L.C. should be ordered for use in the Mediterranean as requested by Commander- in-Chief, Middle East. It is also proposed that the craft required to land a Brigade Group, in addition to those needed by this R.M. Brigade, should be built as early as possible as the probability is that both would be required simultaneously. This would bring the total of craft ordered and to be ordered to the following:-
A.L.C.
To be
Built. Ordered.
M.L.C.
To be
ordered. Total. Built. Ordered. ordered. Total.
6
36
10 (replace)
1
48 (new)
8 (reserve) 108
10 2 (replace)
36(new) 50(new
88
Requirements.
R.M. Brigade
48
1 Brigade Group 52
Reserve
8
108
S.L.C.
Ordered.
To be Total. ordered.
10
18
Requirements.
R.M. Brigade 8 1 Brigade Group8
Reserve
2
18
-3-
Requirements.
R.M. Brigade
1 Brigade Group Mediterranean
12
36
_50
88
Page 151
Page 151