CAB80-25 — Page 242

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II.—TANK LANDING CRAFT (T.L.Cs.).

15. Trials of T.L.Cs. which have recently been carried out have shown that they are essentially fair-weather craft. They can be expected to do one trip from base to scene of operations (where the distance involved does not exceed 1,000 miles), but only provided that weather conditions are very favourable and that they are not relied upon to keep to a schedule. They cannot be relied upon to act as a ferry service where distances are great, and, after the initial journey, their chief value will be as lighters at the beaches.

16. In view of these limitations T.L.Cs. cannot be readily transferred from one theatre to another. We still consider therefore that sufficient T.L.Cs. should be held in the Middle East, and in the area United Kingdom-Gibraltar, for one assault by one Invasion Corps in each theatre.

17. Our requirements for operations in 1942 are, therefore, 88 T.L.Cs. (ie., 44 in the Middle East and 44 in the Gibraltar-United Kingdom area).

III.-S.L.Cs., A.L.Cs., M.L.CS. AND EUREKAS.

18. Although it may be possible to transfer these craft from one theatre to another, we consider that it is necessary to have a complete assault outfit both at home and in the Middle East. Without this, the delays inherent in transporting the craft to a new theatre will be very great. Moreover, an outfit in each theatre will be necessary to complete the special shipping, which, as pointed out in paragraph 8 (a), may have to be withdrawn rapidly from trade.

19. Our requirements for major operations in 1942 are therefore :-

S.L.C. A.L.C. M.L.C. Eurekas

Replacement and reserves.

30

120

88

64

20. This problem must be considered under two sets of circumstances :— (a) Craft which are in daily use for training, i.e., complement of the Infantry

Assault Ships (Glens and Dutch).

(b) Craft which become casualties in operations.

21. Practical experience has shown that we must expect 100 per cent losses in landing craft used for training during 12 months. "Numbers employed in this manner are :—

A.L.C.

S.L.C.

M.L.C.

Eurekas

40

2

5

25

22. We consider that operational losses and losses from accidents and other unforeseen circumstances should amount to approximately 30 per cent. during 1941, i.e. :-

A.L.C.

S.L.C.

M.L.C.

T.L.C.

Eurekas

50

6

20

15

15

23. Thus the grand total of replacement of landing craft during 1941 would be as follows:-

A.L.C.

S.L.C.

M.L.C.

T.L.C.

Eurekas

:

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:

ထင်

90

8

25

15

40

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197

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