U.S. landing craft carries its own pier. A U.S. LST (landing ship-yank), its bow doors open discharges a U.S.

U.S. landing craft carries its own pier. A U.S. LST (landing ship-yank), its bow doors open discharges a U.S. Army vehicle over its short "drawbridge" ramp on a beach during maneuvers en route to North Africa. The landing craft carries steel pontoon gear on its side to be used as a pier or roadway to the shore when rocks or sheals prevent its cominig up to the beach. LST craft have been extensively employed in the Mediterranean theater and in the North and South Pacific.