LANDING CRAFT INFANTERY (Large) LCI (L) 188 18 and 192

[aukepalmhof]

The stamp issued by the Maldives Islands issued in 1994 18R depict two Landing Craft Infantry and the stern of a third vessel, in the background are two vessels more, but not visible in the photo I believe the stamp is designed, after the photo on http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/15/1015019201.jpg and depict the LCI 188, 18 and 192. When the above URL not works, try http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/15/15idx.htm and scroll down to the named landing craft, go to the images of the craft and click on the first photo.

The inscription on the stamp gives “D” Day 6th June 1944 + landing craft damaged at Omaha Beach, the inscription is wrong the photo is made by the landing of French Colonial troops during the invasion of Elba on 07 June 1944, and all three landing craft never took part in the D-Day landing .

LCI (L) 188 Landing Craft Infantry (Large).
Built at the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. Kearny, N.J. for the US Navy.
Displacement 216 ton light, 234 ton landing and 389 ton loaded. Dim.48.32 x 7.10 x 1.56m. (maximum draught).
Powered by two sets of four G.M. diesel engines, 1600 hp., speed 14 knots, twin variable pitch propellers.
Fuel oil 130 ton, lube oil 200 gallon, fresh water 37 tons.
Range 4.000 miles at 12 knots.
Crew 3 officers and 21 ratings.
Troop capacity 6 officers and 182 enlisted.
Cargo capacity 75 tons.
03 February 1943 commissioned at Port Newark, N.J.
Assigned to the Mediterranean Theatre, in LCI Flotilla I.

She crossed on her own power the North Atlantic...
Took part in the following operations:
Sicilian occupation from 9 till 15 July 1943.
Salerno landings from 09 till 21 September 1943.
West coast of Italy operations, a) Anzio - Nuttuno advanced landings, 22 to 1 March 1944. b) Elba and Pianosa landings, 17 June 1944.
Invasion of Southern France, 15 August to 18 September 1944.

Following World War II LCI (L) 188 performed occupation duty in Europe from 08 May to 26 June 1945.
Decommissioned, date unknown.
07 March 1947 transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal.
Fate unknown.

Source: http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/15/150188.htm

LCI (L)-18 Landing Craft Infantry (Large)
Where built and launching date unknown.
11 December 1942 commissioned.

Her details and war career are the same as the LCI(L)-188 till 15 July 1945.

15 July 1945 redesignated as Landing Craft Guns LCI(G)-18.
Crew 5 officers and 65 enlisted.
When struck from the Naval Registry unknown.
13 December 1946 sold, fate unknown.

Source: http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/15/150018.htm

LCI(L)-192 Landing Craft Infantry, only the stern of the vessel is visible.
Built at the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Kearny, N.J. for the US Navy.
03 February 1943 commissioned at Port Newark, N.J.

Her details and war career the same as LCI(L)-188 till 1945, except that she not took part in the Sicilian occupation from 09 till 15 July 1943.
1945 Modified for gunfire support of amphibious operations at San Diego, CA, and reclassified Landing Craft Infantry (Guns), LCI(G)-192.
Crew 5 officers and 65 enlisted.
Following World War II LGI(G)-192 performed occupation service in the Far East including service in China.
September 1946 decommissioned.
When struck from the naval registry, unknown.
31 March 1948 transferred to the Maritime Commission ship disposal unit, fate unknown.

Maldives 1994 18R sg 2120, scott2005.

Source: http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/15/150192.htm