Today in WW II: 14 Nov 1940 German Blitz air raids on Coventry, England with 449 bombers, destroy much of the city and its cathedral [November 14-16].  More ↓
14 Nov 1940 Greek army pushes the Italians out of Greece, chasing them into Albania.
14 Nov 1942 Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal pits aircraft from US carrier Enterprise and Henderson Field against large Japanese force trying to reinforce Guadalcanal by sea.
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)
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)
LARC V (Lighter, Amphibious, Resupply, Cargo, 5 ton capacity)

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

Pair of LARCs belonging to St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office (Louisiana). LARC V (Lighter, Amphibious, Resupply, Cargo, 5 ton capacity)
Pair of LARCs belonging to St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office (Louisiana).