Q&A · 2:51:56-2:56:46

How prewar assault ships could change Norway

British dock landing ships and tracked landing vehicles could bring rapid mobile deployment to the Norwegian campaign.

Question

What if Britain had four Ashland-class-type ships and amphibious vehicles before World War II?

Short answer

They would be used in Norway and could materially improve rapid deployment and movement of troops and vehicles across difficult shores.

Notes

If Britain had acted early on concepts later embodied by the Ashland class, specialized ships could have delivered vehicles and troops directly into difficult coastal theaters. In Norway, DUKWs and LVTs would improve movement across shorelines and give commanders options unavailable to improvised transports.