A photograph appears to show several LCMs carried on an LST Mark III's deck. This arrangement replaced the single LCT(5) carried by some Mark IIs with a group of smaller landing craft. The larger ship could thus transport several craft across open water, but launching them meant a drop of roughly ten feet over the side. The awkward handling shows the cost of adding another delivery function to an already crowded amphibious hull.
Notable Point · 29:18-29:57
LST decks became launch platforms for smaller landing craft
A Mark III carrying several probable LCMs shows how an ocean-going ship could bring its own smaller landing craft, though launching them meant a drop of about ten feet.