Operation Ironclad shows why opposed landings required a fleet of specialized ships. The troopship category appears to have included merchant liners with little or no conversion, while landing ships infantry carried troops and boats. Winchester Castle combined the capacity of a large infantry landing ship with headquarters space for the joint force. The order of battle also included a heavily loaded landing ship gantry, a fleet oiler, and an early LST. Although Ironclad was modest compared with later invasions, its assault force still needed ships to transport troops, carry and launch landing craft, exercise command, and sustain the operation. Madagascar was an early example of amphibious shipping working as an integrated system.
Chapter · 15:50-20:35
Operation Ironclad assembles a complete amphibious fleet
How Ironclad combined troopships, infantry landing ships, a headquarters ship, gantry ships, oilers, and an early LST into an integrated amphibious force.