Sandscrapers: The U.S. Navy's LSMs (Medium Landing Ships) and LSM(R)s (Rocket Ships) in World War II.

A total of 558 Medium Landing Ships were built in WWII. The modest 203-foot ships had bow ramps like those of much larger LSTs, and a deck house resembling the turret of a medieval castle. So unique were their looks, that it was not uncommon when an LSM entered port, for someone to yell out, "What type of ship is that?" Despite their large numbers, the ships were relatively unknown to the public. Perhaps because they entered service late in the war-after the Navy decided it required a vessel larger than a tank landing craft, but smaller than a tank landing ship-or because they first saw combat at Leyte in autumn 1944. During the launch of the Philippine Islands Campaign, much attention was focused on the Allied invasion of Europe.

Nicknamed "Sandscrapers," the shallow-draft, small LSMs were able to land on beach areas denied LSTs, and did so at Leyte, Ormoc Bay, Mindoro, Lingayen, Zambales, and other island assaults in the Philippines. LSMs were also at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and supported Australian troop landings on Borneo. Of the dozen LSMs reconfigured as rocket ships, LSM(R)s, for use in naval bombardment, one-quarter were lost to kamikaze attacks at Okinawa while employed with destroyers on isolated radar picket stations. With their decks bristling with explosive rockets, LSM(R)s were particularly vulnerable targets. One hundred seventy-seven photographs, maps, and diagrams; appendices; and an index to full names, places, and subjects add value to this work.