The LST's wartime record sits uneasily with its 'large slow target' nickname. The cited figure is only twenty-six American-built ships of the type lost to enemy action during the Second World War. The comparison places the LST alongside the aircraft carrier and submarine among the war's most significant ship types. Its value came from carrying deployable landing capability across operational distances, including an LCT(5) as deck cargo. On that basis, the case is made that more LSTs should have been built.
Notable Point · 24:16-25:15
The LST's wartime record challenges the 'large slow target' nickname
Why its low loss count and capacity to carry deployable landing craft made the LST one of the war's most important ship types.