The Royal Navy grouped infantry carriers as large, medium, small, and hand-hoisting Landing Ships Infantry. HMS Empire Battleaxe illustrates the ambiguity: it appears here among the large LSIs, although other classifications differ. The total is estimated at 37 to 40 ships, and the boundaries remained uncertain. Converted ships could change equipment or employment during the war, while others served in the role only temporarily. The labels were evolving operational categories rather than fixed ship classes.
Notable Point · 7:11-9:15
Landing Ship Infantry categories and shifting roles
Large, medium, small, and hand-hoisting LSIs did not always fit neat wartime categories.