How the Landing Craft Assault balanced beaching, protection, and troop movement

The Landing Craft Assault's hull combined a curved sheer with a more steeply curved lower bow intended to beach gently on shores of different slopes. Its angular chine construction came from powerboat practice, while the flat bow accommodated a landing ramp. Slight angles in the bottom softened pitching impacts, and longitudinal wooden battens beneath the hull helped it lie level when grounded. Outward-sloping sides helped produce a righting motion when the boat heeled. The four-and-a-half-foot ramp allowed two files of troops to leave together and used pulleys and small rollers to assist operation and withdrawal from the beach. Armoured doors separated the raised ramp area from the troop compartment. Troops sat on three longitudinal benches, with the central row exposed unless an awning was fitted and the outer rows partly sheltered beneath the decks.