How many troops could it in a landing craft was a vital question! The capacity of a landing craft used on D-Day depended on its type. Some usually carried only personnel on foot. The LCVP carried 36 troops, and the LCA held 35 troops. The larger LCM could carry many more men: up to 100 for the Mk.1 type, or up to 60 for the Mk.3. All the above craft would usually carry personnel to the beach from a ship a few miles offshore, not all the way across the English Channel.
Above: The capacity of an LCA like this one was 35 troops. (Photo: Directorate of History and Heritage, Canadian Armed Forces)
Two types of larger troop-carrying craft that could make the entire crossing from the UK to Normandy were the LCI(S) which held 102 men, or the LCI(L) with a capacity of 189-209 troops depending on the exact variant.
Above: US troops travelling in (relative) comfort on board a US Coast Guard LCI(L). (Photo: US National Archives)
Other landing craft were specifically designed to carry vehicles. The British-built LCT(3) and LCT(4) were larger than the US-made LCT(5) and LCT(6), so naturally could carry more vehicles. It is hard to give an exact figure as the mix of vehicle types and sizes could vary so greatly, from a jeep or motorcycle to the largest tanks, but the bigger LCTs could carry up to about 10 tanks for example.
An LST had two decks and therefore had an even greater capacity: up to 55 vehicles in total, or up to 40 on US LSTs which had less space on the upper deck. Within that number, heavier vehicles were carried on the lower deck, which could hold up to 20 Sherman tanks or the equivalent. Landing Ships such as the British LSI or American APA types had the largest capacities, but needed other craft to put their cargoes ashore. The largest of these ships could hold some 1,400 troops, as well as carrying vehicles and stores in their holds, and landing craft on their derricks and decks.