Invasions 1942
311 LST/APA and LSI used for Overlord around 1m ton worth and 76 LST listed in the OOB for Husky.
The brits have probably completed about half of total allied war production of LCT already (which is a little better than OTL but not a lot) and could have all the UK LSI available - not that many to begin with.
I think its more likely than not that the Brits alone could mount a Husky type operation in 42 - based on possible shipping production but there would be a need to specifically produce the specialised shipping and probably a 4-6 month delay from decision to go to having the shipping ready (plus transit times). Even if that decision had been made the far east could well have put things on hold. I think a date in the second half of 42 much more likely or a single division assault.
Single div assault would be based on taking a port - Dieppe vs italians. But the 43 planning said both Catania and Palermo were needed to support enough troops to take the island (10 1/2 div).
Someone may take a risk on that, someone is probably doing some fortune telling to the italians.
311 LST/APA and LSI used for Overlord around 1m ton worth and 76 LST listed in the OOB for Husky.
The brits have probably completed about half of total allied war production of LCT already (which is a little better than OTL but not a lot) and could have all the UK LSI available - not that many to begin with.
I think its more likely than not that the Brits alone could mount a Husky type operation in 42 - based on possible shipping production but there would be a need to specifically produce the specialised shipping and probably a 4-6 month delay from decision to go to having the shipping ready (plus transit times). Even if that decision had been made the far east could well have put things on hold. I think a date in the second half of 42 much more likely or a single division assault.
Single div assault would be based on taking a port - Dieppe vs italians. But the 43 planning said both Catania and Palermo were needed to support enough troops to take the island (10 1/2 div).
Someone may take a risk on that, someone is probably doing some fortune telling to the italians.