Landing craft crews' repeated journeys under fire

Landing craft crews faced repeated journeys into the same defended beach. They landed infantry under fire, backed away, turned their sterns toward the enemy, and returned for another load. Infantry that reached the beach could move inland into a more familiar battlefield, while the boat crews had to repeat the approach. The US Coast Guard and Royal Navy supplied many of these crews for D-Day. Royal Marines who had not joined the commandos also served in landing craft.