Today in WW II: 9 Jul 1940 Battle of Calabria [Battle of Punta Stilo, the toe of Italy] fought between the Italian Royal Navy and the British/Australian Royal Navies, 30 miles [48km] east of Punta Stilo. More ?

9 Jul 1943 US-British invasion of Sicily begins [night of 9-10 Jul].
9 Jul 1944 British and Canadian forces capture Caen from the Germans, a critical post-D-Day objective in Normandy, France.
9 Jul 1944 US forces reach the northern end of Saipan, finding thousands of Japanese civilian men, women, and children who commit suicide by leaping off the cliffs rather than be captured.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

LARC-V Amphibious Craft

The all-aluminum LARC-V (Lighter, Amphibious, Resupply, Cargo, 5 ton capacity) was used by the US Army during the Vietnam War to transport onto the beach personnel and cargo discharged from deep-water ships. LARC-Vs operated the LST beach at Cam Ranh Bay, and also at Nha Trang, Phan Rang, Phan Thiet, and Vung Ro Bay. At Phan Thiet, five LARC-Vs supported the 2nd Battalion 7th Cavalry during Operation Byrd. About 900 LARC-V vehicles were manufactured.

The LARC V was 35 feet long, 9.9 feet wide, and 12 feet high with its top erected. It could go 28 mph on land and 12 mph in water. With a gross weight of 19,000 pounds, it could carry five tons of cargo or 40 soldiers, plus a crew of two. It could navigate shallow water with a draft of only 3 1/2 feet.

The LARC-V shares its name with the much larger Lighter, Amphibious Resupply Cargo, 60-ton (LARC-LX).

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the LARC-V Amphibious Craft at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup.

LARC-V Photo Gallery

458th Transportation Company (Light Amphibian) LARC-V at South Beach, Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam.

LARC V (Lighter, Amphibious, Resupply, Cargo, 5 ton capacity) comes ashore on Vietnam beach
LARC-V comes ashore on Vietnam beach.

LARC V (Lighter, Amphibious, Resupply, Cargo, 5 ton capacity) operating off Wunder Beach, Vietnam
LARC-V operating off Wunder Beach, Vietnam.

LARC V (Lighter, Amphibious, Resupply, Cargo, 5 ton capacity)

Pair of LARCs belonging to St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office (Louisiana).