USS LST-507

USS LST-507 was a United States Navy Landing Ship, Tank (LST) that was sunk during Exercise Tiger, a large-scale rehearsal for the Invasion of Normandy during World War II.

Design and construction

The USS LST-507 was one of over 1,000 Landing Ship, Tanks designed and built during World War II. These ships were designed to transport and land tanks, vehicles, and troops directly onto enemy shores. The LST-507 was laid down on 29 October 1943 at the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company in Seneca, Illinois, and launched on 28 January 1944.

Service history

After commissioning, the USS LST-507 was assigned to the European Theater of Operations. It participated in Exercise Tiger on 28 April 1944, a large-scale rehearsal for the upcoming Invasion of Normandy. During the exercise, a group of German E-boats attacked the convoy, and the LST-507 was hit by a torpedo and sunk. Of the 496 servicemen aboard, 202 were killed in the attack.

Legacy

The sinking of the USS LST-507 and two other LSTs during Exercise Tiger resulted in a greater loss of life than the actual invasion of Utah Beach, one of the five sectors of the Normandy invasion. The incident was initially covered up to maintain morale, but has since been recognized as one of the most tragic events of World War II.

See also

• List of United States Navy LSTs
• Exercise Tiger
• Invasion of Normandy

References

• Friedman, Norman (2002). US Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-250-1.
• Atkin, Ronald (1990). Pillar of Fire: Dunkirk 1940-1945. Birlinn Ltd. ISBN 1-84158-078-3.

This US Navy ship related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.