Amphibious Military Vehicles

Amphibious military vehicles are most important in beach landing operations, to ferry troops and cargo from larger vessels to the shore. During World War II the DUKW as heavily employed in Europe and the Pacific for the many over the beach operations. At the same time, the USMC developed the concept of the armored amphibious tractor, the LVT or AMTRAC.

USMC LVTP-7 used as a field mobile command center, Operation CAX 1-2-82, Marine Corps Air-to-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA, November 1981.
USMC LVTP-7 used as a field mobile command center, Operation CAX 1-2-82, Marine Corps Air-to-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA, November 1981.

For many more photos of amphibious vehicles, wheeled and tracked, as well as tanks, self-propelled artillery, halftracks, armored cars, tank destroyers, trucks, jeeps and more, visit the linked page.

Today in WW II: 18 Jan 1942 German-Japanese-Italian military alliance and cooperation agreement signed in Berlin.  More ↓
18 Jan 1942 US Marines arrive at Pago Pago, American Samoa, supported by aircraft from the USS Enterprise.
18 Jan 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising against Germans captors begins [18 Jan-16 May].
18 Jan 1943 Red Army takes German fortifications south of Lake Ladoga [Operation Spark], opening a corridor to Leningrad, partially lifting the siege.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

Chart of Amphibious Military Vehicles

In this chart of amphibious military vehicles, click on the photo link to go to the page of photos and information for the specific vehicle.

General Amphibious Vehicles
Vehicle Description Photo Link
GPA Truck, Amphibian, GPA, 1/4 ton, 4x4. Ford (G-504) Truck, Amphibian, GPA, 1/4 ton, 4x4. Ford (G-504) Seep, built in 1942 and 1943 by Ford
M-28/M-29 M-28/M-29/M-29C Carrier, Cargo, Amphibious. "Weasel" (G-179) M-28/M-29/M-29C Carrier, Cargo, Amphibious. Weasel (G-179)
DUKW Truck, Cargo, 2 1/2 ton, 6x6 Amphibious "duck" (G501) Truck, Cargo, 2 1/2 ton, 6x6 Amphibious duck (G501)
XM147 XM147 "Super DUKW" Amphibious Truck XM147 Super DUKW Amphibious Truck
M-76 M-76 Carrier, Cargo, Amphibious. "Otter" M-76 Carrier, Cargo, Amphibious. Otter
M-116 M-116 Carrier, Cargo, Amphibious. "Husky" M-116 Carrier, Cargo, Amphibious. Husky
M-973 SUSV M-973 Carrier, cargo, tracked, 1 1/2 ton SUSV (small unit support vehicle). M-973 Carrier, cargo, tracked, 1 1/2 ton SUSV (Small Unit Support Vehicle)
LARC LARC-5 (Lighter, Amphibious, Resupply, Cargo). 5 ton capacity. LARC-5 (Lighter, Amphibious, Resupply, Cargo). 5 ton capacity
BARC Barge Amphibious Resupply Cargo or LARC-LX. 60 ton capacity. Barge Amphibious Resupply Cargo or LARC-LX. 60 ton capacity
Landing Vehicle, Tracked or Amphibious Tractor Vehicles
Alligator Prototype of the USMC Landing Vehicle, Tracked (LVT) series Prototype of the USMC Landing Vehicle, Tracked (LVT) series
LVT Landing Vehicle, Tracked in World War II Landing Vehicle, Tracked (2)
LVT(A) Landing Vehicle, Tracked (Armored) in World War II 708th Amphibian Tank Bn. crew with their LVT(A)(4)
LVT/AAV Landing Vehicle, Tracked and Armored Assault Vehicle post-World War II USMC Landing Vehicle, Tracked-7 or Amphibian Assault Vehicle-7
Countries other than United States
Stalwart Alvis Stalwart, FV 620, 622, 623, 624. HMLC 6x6 Amphibious "stolly" Alvis Stalwart, FV 620, 622, 623, 624. HMLC 6x6 Amphibious stolly
Schwimmwagen Volkswagen Type 166 Waffen SS Schwimmwagen Volkswagen Type 166 Waffen SS Schwimmwagen
BTR-50 BTR-50 Amphibious Armoured Personnel Carrier (Russian) made in many variants by the Soviet bloc countries. This unit has been identified as a Czech-built OT-62A. Thanks to Jim Webster for the identification. Photo: Courtesy of Douglas Greville BTR-50 Amphibious Armoured Personnel Carrier (Russian) made in many variants by the Soviet bloc countries. This unit has been identified as a Czech-built OT-62A. Thanks to Jim Webster for the identification. Photo: Courtesy of Douglas Greville