Bow doors and ramps were added to these ships, which became the first tank landing ships, LST (1): HMS Misoa, Tasajera and Bachaquero. As an interim measure, three 4,000- to 4,800-GRT ' Lake tankers', built to pass over the restrictive bars of Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela, were selected for conversion because of their shallow draft. The British evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940 demonstrated to the Admiralty that the Allies needed relatively large, ocean-going ships that could handle shore-to-shore delivery of tanks and other vehicles in amphibious assaults upon the continent of Europe. 18 knots (33 km/h 21 mph) laden to beaching draught.Over 1,000 LSTs were laid down in the United States during World War II for use by the Allies the United Kingdom and Canada produced eighty more. In June 1944 they were part of the huge invasion fleet for the Normandy landings. The British ships were used in late 1942 during the Allied invasion of Algeria, by 1943 LSTs participated in the invasion of Sicily and mainland Italy. The first tank-landing ships were built to British requirements by converting existing ships the UK and the US then collaborated upon a joint design. The LSTs served across the globe during World War II including in the Pacific War and in the European theatre. The twin propellers and rudders had protection from grounding. The LST had a flat keel that allowed the ship to be beached and stay upright.

The bow had a large door that could open, deploy a ramp and unload vehicles.

The LST had a highly specialized design that enabled ocean crossings as well as shore groundings. This enabled amphibious assaults on almost any beach. Landing Ship, Tank ( LST), or tank landing ship, is the naval designation for ships first developed during World War II (1939–1945) to support amphibious operations by carrying tanks, vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto shore with no docks or piers. Amphibious assault ship of World War II A Canadian LST off-loads an M4 Sherman during the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943

Military tank future manned top gun