Medium LSIs were smaller than the Glen class but fast enough to reach about 22 knots. They carried roughly 350 soldiers plus 22 officers, while landing-craft crews and the ship's company brought the total aboard toward 650. Their davits could handle both Landing Craft Assault (LCAs) and the larger Landing Craft Mechanised (LCMs), allowing the craft to enter the water quickly. This balance of speed, embarked strength, and launch gear suited long-range commando operations especially well.
Chapter · 16:01-18:10
Medium LSI speed, capacity, and launch gear
A 22-knot infantry ship could move a commando-sized force while davits placed LCAs and heavier LCMs into the water quickly.