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The Landing Vehicle Tracked ('''LVT''') was an Amphibious vehicle used by the United States Navy , Marine Corps and Army during World War II . It was widely known as '''amphtrack''', '''amtrak''', '''amtrac''' etc., a Portmanteau of '''amphibious tractor'''. DEVELOPMENT The LVT had its origins in a civilian rescue vehicle called the ''Alligator''. Developed by Donald Roebling in 1935, the Alligator was intended to operate in swampy areas, inaccessible to both traditional cars and boats. Two years later, Roebling built a redesigned vehicle with greatly improved water speed. The United States Marine Corps , which had been developing Amphibious Warfare doctrines based on the ideas of Lt. Col. Earl Hancock "Pete" Ellis and others, became interested in the machine after learning about it through an article in Life Magazine and convinced Roebling to design a more seaworthy model for military use. After more improvements to meet requirements of the Navy, the vehicle was adopted as Landing Vehicle Tracked, or '''LVT'''. The order to built 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. Eventually the company became a prominent Defense Contractor United Defense (now part of BAE Systems Land And Armaments ). The first LVTs could hold 24 men or 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg) of cargo. Originally intended to carry replenishments from ships ashore, they lacked armored protection and their tracks and suspension were unreliable when used on hard terrain. However, the Marines soon recognized the potential of the LVT as assault vehicle. 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 M8 HMCs (LVT(A)-4). Among other upgrades were a new powerpack, also borrowed from the Stuarts, and a torsilastic Suspension which significantly improved land performance. Production continued throughout the war, resulting in 18,621 LVTs delivered. In late 1940s a series of prototypes were built and tested, but none reached production stage due to lack of funding. Realizing that acquisition of new vehicles was unlikely, the Marines modernized some of the LVT-3s and LVT(A)-5s and kept them in service until late 1950s. VARIANTS
COMBAT HISTORY The LVT were used for logistic support at Guadalcanal , but their first real test was in the assault on Tarawa . Of 125 vehicles used, only 35 remained operational by the end of the day. Still, the amtracs proved their worth by successfully ferrying men across the coral reef and through the shallows to the beach. Marines who arrived in LCVP Higgins boats, on the other hand, could not cross the reef and had to wade through chest-deep or higher water while being raked by Japanese machine guns; casualties were horrific and many who did make it to the beach alive had lost their Rifle s and other essential gear. The "alligator" was clearly a good idea that worked, but improvements such as added armor were needed to make it more effective. As a result of Tarawa experience, standardized armor kits were provided for the LVTs employed in contested landings, and gun-armed "amtanks" LVT(A)-1 and LVT(A)-4 were developed to provide fire support. Armed with a 75 mm howitzer, the latter was especially effective in this role, however its turret was open-topped; it also used bigger turret ring which led to the removal of rear-mounted machine guns; as a result, the vehicle was vulnerable to Japanese infantry attacks. To solve the problem, more machine guns were added in late production vehicles. Although usually used during landings only, in the Marianas "amtanks" were employed inland, much like regular tanks. The largest use of the LVTs was in the Leyte Landing , with nine amtrac and two amtank Battalion s deployed. As there was no fighting on the beaches, this is also one of the least famous LVTs' operations. Over 1000 LVTs took part in the Battle Of Okinawa . Although usually associated with the Pacific Theatre , toward the end of the war LVTs were employed in Europe as well. The US, British and Canadian Army used the Buffalo in the Battle Of The Scheldt , during the Operation Plunder , along the Po River , across the river Elbe and in a number of other river crossing operations. Some LVT-3Cs and modified LVT(A)-5s saw action in the Korean War . French Army used the US-supplied LVT-4s and LVT(A)-4s in the Indochina War and in the Suez Crisis . MODERN DESCENDENTS AAV in Fallujah, Iraq ]] In 1950s LVTs still in service were replaced by the LVTP-5 family vehicles, which in turn were followed by the LVT-7 family, eventually redesignated AAV . Incidentally, the AAV is manufactured by BAE Systems Land And Armaments , which was the first company to produce the LVT (as FMC ). Currently, many of the world's militaries employ more modern versions of the amphtrack. One of the latest is the United States Marine Corps EFV , slated to replace the AAV in 2008. REFERENCES
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