Fearless and Intrepid had only just escaped proposed withdrawal, yet they formed the center of a system rather than a self-contained capability. Round Table-class Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships supplied supporting sealift, while Army-operated logistics landing craft added another institutional layer. LCUs, LCMs, landing craft for vehicles and personnel, and powered lighters moved loads between ships and shore. Amphibious capability depended on this network of specialized hulls, crews, and transport links. Cutting the two conspicuous landing platform docks could therefore unravel much more than two hulls.
Chapter · 12:41-14:43
The Fearless-class amphibious force and its supporting craft
The amphibious inventory explains how Fearless and Intrepid depended on Round Table-class landing ships and a wider family of landing craft.