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101-709: The LVTP-5 was an evolution of the LVT-1 to LVT-4 World War II-era landing vehicle tracked series, but was considerably larger and could carry 30-34 combat-armed troops. A smaller design based on the M59 APC was also produced as the LVT-6 , but only a few were built. The LVTP-5 was replaced in service by the LVT-7 family. The most common type was the LVTP-5, an armored personnel carrier, with mine-sweeper, command, recovery and fire support variants,

202-521: A 60-ton main battle tank, from a landing dock ship to shore and across beach barriers. Only one Goliath was built and it never became operational. Currently, many of the world's militaries employ more modern versions of the amtrack. One of the latest is the now cancelled United States Marine Corps Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle , that was slated to begin replacing the AAV in 2015 but was cancelled in 2011 after going significantly over budget. The US Army used

303-619: A 75mm howitzer, the latter was introduced in 1944 just before the Marianas campaign and was especially effective in this role as it was capable of destroying Japanese fortifications as it came ashore. Its howitzer complemented the 75mm gun of the M4 Sherman tanks used by the Marines. However, the LVT(A)-4 had an open-topped turret which left the crew vulnerable to artillery and infantry attack, especially to

404-563: A civilian rescue vehicle called the Alligator . Developed by Donald Roebling in 1935, the Alligator was intended to operate in swampy areas, inaccessible to both traditional cars and boats. Two years later, Roebling built a redesigned vehicle with improved water speed. The United States Marine Corps , which had been developing amphibious warfare doctrine based on the ideas of Lieutenant colonel Earl Hancock Ellis and others, became interested in

505-566: A different naming system from the Navy but instead of using the usual Army system of Model (M)-numbers , they referred to the LVTs by Mark number using Roman numerals rather than Arabic numerals. Hence the LVT-4 was the "Mark IV". In British service LVTs were given service names and mark numbers to distinguish them. The first military model. Traveling at a respectable 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) laden in

606-507: A female householder with no husband present, and 39% were individuals and nontraditional families. About 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.82. In 2000, the city the population was spread out, with 21.4% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

707-671: A gun turret to provide fire support to the landing waves. The concept languished until June 1941, when USMC recommended development of an LVT armed with a 37mm gun and three machine guns and armored against 0.50 (12.7mm) machine gun fire. Development was slow and ultimately involved a complete redesign of the LVT, the LVT-2 Buffalo. Armored versions were introduced as well as fire support versions, dubbed Amtanks , which were fitted with turrets from Stuart series light tanks (LVT(A)-1) and howitzer motor carriage M8s (LVT(A)-4). Among other upgrades were

808-464: A large digital collection with over 7,000 images of the city of Lakeland, its landmarks, significant historical moments, cultural institutions, and prominent citizens. The LHR provides one-on-one assistance with historic research, a history lecture series with prominent local historians, a DIY Digitizing Lab for personal material preservation, and genealogical programs and resources. In 2019, an initiative led by Lakeland City Commissioner Phillip Walker,

909-638: A militarized prototype by May 1940. The Bureau of Ships requested a second prototype with a more powerful engine, and the USMC tested the design in November 1940. Impressed by the second prototype, the Bureau of Ships placed a contract for production of 100 units of a model using all-steel construction, for a more rugged and easily produced design, and the first LVT-1 was delivered in July 1941. Another 200 units were ordered even before

1010-650: A new powerpack (engine and cooling accessories), also borrowed from the Stuarts, and a rubber "torsilastic" suspension which improved performance on land. After Borg-Warner evaluated the LVT-1, Borg-Warner and FMC began work on new designs. FMC was assisted by faculty from Caltech and the University of California and developed the designs that became the LVT-2 and the LVT(A)-1. Interest in

1111-452: A number of other bodies of water unnamed, mostly phosphate mine pits that eventually filled with water. The largest of these is Lake Parker , which is 2,550 acres (10.3 km ) in size. Much of the culture of Lakeland revolves around its many lakes, and many people use the lakes as reference points in much the same way people in other towns use streets as reference points, such as "I live near Lake Beulah." In addition to Lake Parker, some of

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1212-712: A platoon of LVTs. LVTs were known as "alligators" in French armed forces. During the 1956 Suez Canal crisis , 40 and 42 Commando of the Royal Marines made a landing in Port Said in LVTs, supported by a number of Centurion tanks from the Royal Tank Regiment . The French Navy assigned 13 LVT-4s to the Force H, to be used by the 1ère compagnie du 1er R.E.P. and 3eme Marine Commando during their assault on Port Fuad . At

1313-582: A product of the 1920s boom), Park Trammell Building (formerly the Lakeland Public Library and today the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce), and others. The city also has several historic districts that have many large buildings built during the 1920s and 1940s. The Cleveland Indians held spring training there from 1923 to 1927 at Henley Field Ball Park . Parks were developed surrounding Lake Mirror, including Barnett Children's Park, Hollis Gardens, and

1414-513: A routine traffic stop in the Wabash area of Lakeland. More than 500 police officers from a variety of law enforcement agencies joined in a search for Angilo Freeland, suspected of murdering Williams and stealing his gun. Freeland was found hiding in a rural area the next morning. Nine officers from five different law enforcement agencies surrounded Freeland and shot him when he raised Williams' stolen gun at them. A total of 110 shots were fired, and Freeland

1515-830: Is a basketball team playing in the NBA G League and is an affiliate of the Orlando Magic . The Florida Tropics SC is an indoor soccer team playing in the Major Arena Soccer League . The Tropics organization also operates an outdoor team, the Lakeland Tropics, which competes in the Premier Development League . The Florida Tarpons were an indoor football team playing in the American Arena League for one season after relocating from Estero, Florida . In

1616-481: Is a special collections archive established in 1987 housed within the Lakeland Public Library 's main branch. The Lakeland History Room maintains the City's collection of historical materials as well as other locally relevant collections composed of documents, photographs, maps, building plans, audio/visual media, scrapbooks, specialty items like citrus crate labels, artwork, yearbooks, posters, and postcards. The LHR maintains

1717-749: Is an amphibious warfare vehicle and amphibious landing craft , introduced by the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps . (The USN and USMC use "L" to designate Amphibious vessels, also called "L class".) The United States Army , Canadian Army and British Army used several LVT models during World War II , and referred to those vehicles as "Landing Vehicle, Tracked." Originally intended solely as cargo carriers for ship to shore operations, they evolved into assault troop and fire support vehicles. The types were known as amphtrack, "amtrak", "amtrac", etc. ( portmanteaus of "amphibious tractor"), and "alligator" or "gator". The LVT had its origins in

1818-633: Is home to several colleges and universities. Lakeland Linder International Airport is in Lakeland as is the corporate headquarters of Publix , a supermarket chain. European-American settlers arrived in Lakeland from Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina in the 1870s. The city expanded in the 1880s with the arrival of rail service, with the first freedmen railway workers settling here in 1883. They and European immigrants also came because of land development opportunities with farming, citrus, cattle and phosphate industry developing. Lakeland

1919-583: Is home to the 1,267-acre Circle B Bar Reserve (513 ha). In the 18th century Native Americans groups, collectively called " Seminoles ", moved into the areas left vacant. In 1823, the United States and the various tribes in Florida signed the Treaty of Moultrie Creek , which created a reservation in central Florida that included what is now Polk County. Starting in 1832, the United States government tried to move

2020-584: Is home to the Swaminarayan Hindu Temple , which was established in 2005. In 1994, the first and only mosque in the county was established. It was called Masjid Aisha, but is now called the Islamic Center of Lakeland. Christianity makes up the largest religious group in Lakeland. As of 2013, an estimated 300 churches existed with an address in the city. Lakeland is the largest city on Interstate 4 between Orlando and Tampa. Large industries in

2121-418: Is no longer the largest industry in the area, it still plays a large part in the economy of Lakeland and Polk County. Phosphate mining is still important to the economy of Lakeland, although most of the mining now takes place farther south. The Bone Valley produced 25% of the U.S. phosphate supply. Lakeland's largest employer is Publix Super Markets . Publix is one of the largest regional grocery chains in

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2222-647: Is the most populous city in Polk County. As of the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau release, the city had a population of 112,641. Lakeland is a principal city of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area . Lakeland is situated among several lakes including Lake Morton downtown and is sometimes locally referred to by the nickname "Swan City" due to its sizeable population of swans, all of whom are descendants of two mute swans given to Lakeland by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957. Lakeland

2323-456: Is the largest university in the area, with undergraduate enrollment around 6200. Southeastern is affiliated with the Assemblies of God . Florida Southern College , established in 1883 and with a current undergraduate enrollment of just over 2600, is on Lake Hollingsworth . Florida Southern is the home of the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. In July 2008,

2424-479: Is used extensively on the campus. The concrete blocks he used are in need of restoration. Wright titled the project Child of the Sun , describing his Florida Southern buildings as being "out of the ground, into the light, a child of the sun." It is the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in the world, and attracts 30,000 visitors each year. In 1975, the "Florida Southern Architectural District"

2525-740: The Korean War . The French Army used the U.S.-supplied LVT-4s and LVT(A)-4s in the Indochina War and in the Suez Crisis . During the Korean War, LVT(3)Cs and LVT(A)s were used for the landing in Incheon and subsequent Han River crossing to re-take Seoul . It was also used in the evacuation of Hungnam Harbour when Chinese forces attacked. The LVT(3)C was used by USMC in Korea as both an amphibious vehicle, and in

2626-574: The LVT-7 family, eventually redesignated Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV). The AAV is manufactured by BAE Systems Land and Armaments , which is the successor company to FMC. In 1958, the US Navy tested the largest LVT ever produced, the LVT(U)X2 Goliath produced by Pacific Car and Foundry . The Goliath was large enough to transport any load the conventional Landing Craft Utility could carry, including

2727-570: The Lakeland Derby Dames ; however, the team was dissolved in November 2015. The Lakeland Center also hosts the Florida High School Athletic Association 's state basketball finals. Lakeland is governed by a six-member city council. Four members are elected from single-member districts ; the other two are elected at-large , requiring them to gain a majority of the votes. The mayor is elected. The City of Lakeland

2828-520: The Lakeland Municipal Airport . In 1938, Florida Southern College President Ludd Spivey invited architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design a "great education temple in Florida." Wright worked on the project for over 20 years as Spivey found ways to fund it and find construction workers during World War II . Wright's original plan called for 18 structures; in total he designed 30, but only 12 were completed. Wright's textile block motif

2929-462: The Light Tank M3 , with a 37 mm Gun M6 in an M44 mount and coaxial 0,30-inch machine gun. Two more 0.30-inch machine guns on ring mounts on the rear deck behind the turret, 509 units were produced. It was powered by a 262 bhp (195 kW) air-cooled petrol engine. Due to the limitations imposed by the turret, it could carry only a limited payload of 1,000 lb (450 kg) of but maintained

3030-490: The M3A1 Stuart light tank) in the rear of the hull with a propshaft along the centreline to the transmission at the front, and torsilastic suspension. The aluminium track grousers were bolted on, making changes much easier since they wore out quickly on land and even more so on coral. Hard terrain performance was much better compared to the LVT-1. 2,962 units were produced for the US Navy, who then proceeded to transfer 1,507 to

3131-780: The 1980s, the Lakeland Center briefly played host to the indoor version of the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer team. The Lakeland Center has also hosted a few hockey teams, the Lakeland Ice Warriors, the Lakeland Prowlers, and the Lakeland Loggerheads. The United States Basketball League once had a team here as well called the Lakeland Blue Ducks . Sun 'n Fun was home to Lakeland's only roller derby league,

LVTP-5 - Misplaced Pages Continue

3232-914: The Alligators. The initial 200 LVTs were built at FMC's factory in Dunedin, Florida , where most of the improvement work had been done as well. The first production LVT rolled out of the plant in July, 1941. Later, wartime LVT production was expanded by FMC and the Navy to four factories, including the initial facility in Dunedin; the new facilities were located in Lakeland, Florida , Riverside, California , and San Jose, California . The LVT-1 could carry 18 fully equipped men or 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg) of cargo. Originally intended to carry replenishment from ships to shore, they lacked armor protection and their tracks and suspension were unreliable when used on hard terrain. However,

3333-932: The British Army for training in preparation for future operations in Europe. The U.S., British , and Canadian armies used the Buffalo in the 1944 Battle of the Scheldt in the Low Countries, during Operation Plunder crossing of the Rhine in March 1945, along the Po River in Italy, across the river Elbe, and in a number of other river crossing operations. LVTs were used in the Normandy landings , but their use by

3434-704: The Chinese Nationalists in 1949. French armored units developed the use of amphibious tracked vehicles in Indochina: The amphibious C model of the M29 Weasel (armed either with FM1924/29 , Bren or Browning M1919 machine guns and with 57mm M18A1 recoilless guns), LVT-4s (equipped with two M2 and two M1919 machine guns, and sometimes equipped with 40mm Bofors guns or 57 mm recoilless guns) and LVT(A)-4 (with 75 mm howitzer) were used to great effect by 1er Régiment Etrangers de Cavalerie . In 1950,

3535-777: The French Army received a number of LVT-4s and LVT(A)-4s from the US to supplement M29Cs. In September 1951, the first French mixed unit ( 1er Groupement Autonome ) was created, consisting of two squadrons of Weasels (33 each), three squadrons of LVT-4 (11 each) and one fire support platoon of 6 LVT(A)-4. Later a second group was created in Tonkin when more LVTs were received. Both these groups participated in Mekong and Red River delta operations and in landing operations on Vietnam shores. The 1er régiment de chasseurs à cheval  [ fr ] also deployed

3636-768: The LVT was enough that the Secretary of the Navy formed the Continued Board for the Development of the Landing Vehicle Tracked on 30 October 1943. Production continued throughout the war, resulting in 18,616 LVTs delivered. 23 US Army and 11 USMC battalions were equipped by 1945 with LVTs. British and Australian armies also used LVTs in combat during World War II. In the late 1940s, a series of prototypes were built and tested, but none reached production stage due to lack of funding. Realizing that acquisition of new vehicles

3737-402: The Lakeland area are citrus, cattle, and phosphate mining . In the past few decades, tourism, medicine, insurance, transportation, and music have grown in importance. Citrus growing dates back to the early settlers who planted trees in the area, in the 1850s. After a series of freezes in counties north of Polk County, the area became the focal point for citrus growing in Florida. Although citrus

3838-407: The Marines replaced all LVTs used in operations. As a result of Tarawa experience, standardized armor kits were provided for the LVTs to be used in contested landings. Other improvements were made in the damage repair area, machine gun shields, and in the LVT design to increase crew and LVT survivability. The gun-armed "amtank" LVT(A)-1 and LVT(A)-4 were developed to provide fire support. Armed with

3939-453: The Marines soon recognized the potential of the LVT as an assault vehicle. A battalion of LVTs was ready for 1st Marine Division by 16 February 1942. The LVTs saw their first operational use in Guadalcanal , where they were used exclusively for landing supplies. About 128 LVTs were available for the landings. As early as January 1940, Roebling had prepared preliminary sketches of an LVT with

4040-533: The NYPD, and one new hire used to work in the NYPD's notorious anti-crime units which were disbanded after high-profile scandals. The 28 elementary schools, seven middle schools, five traditional high schools, and three magnet-choice high schools in the Lakeland area are run by the Polk County School Board . A number of opportunities exist for higher education around the Lakeland area. Southeastern University

4141-500: The Seminoles in Florida west to the Indian Territory . Most of the Seminoles resisted, resulting in the Second Seminole War , 1835–1842. By the end of that war, most of the Seminoles had been sent west, with a few remnants pushed well south of what is now Polk County. Florida became a state in 1845, and Polk County was established in 1861. After the American Civil War , the county seat was established southeast of Lakeland in Bartow . While most of Polk County's early history centered on

LVTP-5 - Misplaced Pages Continue

4242-436: The US Army and 100 to the British Army. With a maximum speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) on land and 5.4 kn (10.0 km/h; 6.2 mph) on water) and an operational endurance of 150 miles on land (or 75 mi (121 km) on water) the LVT-2 could carry a normal payload of 6,500 lb (2,900 kg) or 24 fully equipped troops. Portable plating of "10 lb" rating on the sponson sides and hull rear and '20 lb' on

4343-418: The United States was limited as the US Army doctrine in Europe viewed the Sherman DD as the answer to assault on heavily defended beaches . LVT-2s were used to help unload supplies after the landings on Utah Beach from the cargo ships off the coast to the beach and through the nearby swamps. For the Rhine crossing, the British 21st Army Group had some 600 Buffalos available, most of them used to transport

4444-447: The United States with over 1,200 stores across the American South . Publix employs over 6,500 people in the Lakeland area including headquarter and warehouse employees. Lakeland is a transportation hub. FedEx Freight and FedEx Services and the Saddle Creek Corporation employ over 600 people in the area. Other large employers in the area include Amazon , GEICO , Rooms To Go , and Lakeland Regional Health. The Lakeland History Room

4545-599: The University of South Florida's Lakeland campus was granted partial autonomy by Governor Charlie Crist and became Florida Polytechnic University. Florida Polytechnic (FLPoly) is just inside the Lakeland's northeast border at the intersection of I-4 and Polk Parkway. They also have some administrative offices on the campus of Polk State College on Winter Lake Road. FLPoly is focused on STEM degree programs, such as engineering and computer science. Both Everest University and Keiser University , two multisite, accredited universities, have locations in Lakeland. Traviss Career Center

4646-540: The armed LVT(A)-1 together helped to capture the Marshalls far ahead of schedule. Saipan saw the massive use of the LVTs by the USMC with six battalions of cargo LVT, including the new ramped LVT-4, and two battalions of armored Amtracs, employing the new LVT(A)-4 with a 75 mm howitzer. At Tinian a field variant of the LVT-2 was created by the Seabees of the 3rd Battalion 18th Marines and 3rd Battalion 20th Marines . V Amphibious Corps chose beaches abutted by coral embankments up to 15 feet. The Japanese thought

4747-441: The assault infantry. As mud was expected to hamper the Sherman DD tanks, some LVTs were armed with a 20 mm cannon and two machine guns to give fire support until bridges could be constructed across the river. The "Specials" were under the 79th Armoured Division (which operated and coordinated the use of all specialist assault vehicles), that also provided Buffalos fitted with "Bobbin" carpets to create temporary roadways over

4848-420: The beach alive had lost their rifles and other essential gear. After Tarawa, many changes were made. The USMC recommended that a battalion of armored LVTs, two companies of DUKWs and two battalions of cargo LVTs be assigned to each division in future amphibious operations. The number of LVTs by battalion was increased to 300; before Tarawa it was 100. Due to mechanical reliability problems after every landing,

4949-475: The beachheads was an inherent risk for Marines storming out of their landing craft. This was an armored version of the LVT-2, following the US Army's request for an armored variant of the LVT-2. Service in the South Pacific soon indicated more protection was needed. This version had the driver's cab protected by 0.5 in (13 mm) of armor plate, and the rest of the hull with 1 ⁄ 4 inch (6.4 mm) armor plate. By 1944, shields were added to protect

5050-561: The capture of two of the royal swans, and the swans now on the lakes of Lakeland are the descendants of the one surviving royal swan sent by the Queen. In July 2006, Scott Lake, one of the city's lakes, was almost totally drained by a cluster of sinkholes . Later the lake partially refilled. Lakeland, like most other parts of Florida north of Lake Okeechobee , is in the humid subtropical zone ( Köppen climate classification : Cfa ). Typically, summers are hot and humid with high temperatures seldom dropping below 90 °F and 70 °F for

5151-431: The chief logistical vehicle in the first days of Battle of Iwo Jima . Ashore, the LVTs were used to rescue wheeled vehicles that could not navigate Iwo Jima 's soft volcanic ash and steep terraces. In addition, American troops used the LVTs to transport casualties from the front lines to evacuation sites on the beaches. The 75 mm howitzer on the LVT-4 provided important fire support as the Marines slowly advanced across

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5252-449: The city has an area of 67 sq mi (173.5 km ), of which 45.84 sq mi (118.7 km ) is land and 5.61 sq mi (14.5 km ) (10.90%) is covered by water. Lakeland is within the Central Florida Highlands area of the Atlantic coastal plain , with a terrain consisting of flatland interspersed with gently rolling hills. The dominant feature in Lakeland is the city's many lakes. Thirty-eight lakes are named, with

5353-448: The city. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 97,422 people, 40,529 households, and 24,654 families residing in the city. Between 2008–2012, the per capita income was $ 23,817 and the median household income was $ 40,284. Persons below the poverty line in 2008–2012 were 17.5% according to the US Census. As of 2000, 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 13.7% had

5454-424: The embankments made the beaches unsuitable for a landing. The CB engineers constructed detachable ramps mounted on LVTs to make such an assault possible. Salvaging iron beams from the damaged sugar factory on Saipan they fabricated 10 assault vehicles. Their commander, General Harry Schmidt , was skeptical and ordered a vehicle go up and down a ramp 100 times before approving their use in combat. The Tinian assault

5555-467: The end of the first day, continuing to ferry men and supplies across the coral reef and through the shallows to the beach. The 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion had only about 79 LVT-1s and 50 LVT-2s (directly shipped from San Diego) available for the assault. Most of the troops had to disembark from LCVP "Higgins boats" and wade across the reef in chest-deep or higher water while under heavy enemy fire. American casualties were very heavy and many who made to

5656-427: The end of the war, the oldest LVT versions were disposed as surplus and sold to other countries. Only LVT-3 and LVT(A)-5s remained in operational use in the US armed forces. In 1947 a dozen Buffalo LVTs were used by the British Army to fix a breach in the flood defenses at Crowland in Lincolnshire fens following the terrible winter that year . Five LVTs were swept away and lost in flood waters. On 29 April 2021 one of

5757-430: The first production units were delivered. After more improvements to meet requirements of the Navy, made difficult by Roebling's lack of blueprints for the initial designs, the vehicle was adopted as "Landing Vehicle Tracked" or LVT. The contract to build the first 200 LVTs was awarded to the Food Machinery Corporation (FMC), a manufacturer of insecticide spray pumps and other farm equipment, which built some parts for

5858-431: The front and cab could be fitted. Rails for mounting machine guns ran round the sides and rear of the cargo space and across the back of the cab. LVT-2s participated in more campaigns than any other LVT variant, including Tarawa, Roi-Namur, Cape Gloucester, Northern Kwajalein, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and in some parts of Europe, such as the Rhine crossing of Operation Plunder . The LVT(A) Mark 1

5959-502: The front gunners. Surprisingly the additional 2,750 lb (1,250 kg) of armor, added to the 24,250 lb (11,000 kg) weight of the unarmored LVT-2, had no impact on performance and only caused the craft to draw an additional 2 inches (51 mm) of water when afloat. The LVT(A)-2 had a capacity of 18 troops. 450 units produced. Lakeland, Florida Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida , United States. Located along I-4 east of Tampa and west of Orlando , it

6060-413: The invasion and subsequent taking of Leyte . Company A vehicles brought troops for the second major landing on Leyte at Ormoc. The Battalion provided vehicles for the landing at Luzon as well and during the conquest of Luzon personnel were heavily involved in clean-up operations of Japanese troops left behind the advance. The LVT-4 played a crucial role both as the assault vehicle to carry troops and as

6161-426: The island of Bougainville . 29 LVTs were landed on the first day, with a total of 124 LVTs operating with the Marines during the landing. In the campaign for the Marshall Islands , the full range of the LVT models became available, including armed Amtrac LVTs based on the proven LVT-2 with a tank gun turret. This provided close-in firepower as the cargo LVTs neared the beach. The combination of armoured cargo LVT-2 and

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6262-427: The island. Okinawa was the largest landing in the Central Pacific drive. The new LVT-3, which featured a redesign of the arrangement of the powertrain, was used successfully through the long Battle of Okinawa . Over 1,000 LVTs took part in the campaign. In Europe, LVTs were mainly used for landings and river crossing operations as well as assaults in swampy zones. By the end of 1943, 200 LVT-1s had been delivered to

6363-510: The latter mounted a 105 mm howitzer. An anti-aircraft version was prototyped, but never saw service. As of the mid-2010s, the sole remaining state user of the LVTH-6 was the Philippines, who used four of them for their naval infantry force . As of 2013, Philippine LVTH-6s came in a "digital"-style camouflage pattern. This United States Marine Corps article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Landing Vehicle Tracked The Amphibious Vehicle, Tracked ( LVT )

6464-461: The latter, as it lacked any sort of machine gun armament. The lack of machine gun armament was eventually rectified, though the open-topped turret remained in order to save weight. Although usually used in a direct role during landings only (once inland the "amtanks" were assigned to artillery formations to augment their firepower), in the Marianas campaign "amtanks" were employed inland, much like regular tanks. In November 1943, US Marines landed on

6565-447: The machine after learning about it through an article in Life magazine and convinced Roebling to design a more seaworthy model for military use. Both the US Navy and Roebling resisted the idea of a military design; the US Navy because it felt conventional landing craft could do the job, and Roebling because he wished his invention to be used only for peaceful purposes. Roebling was persuaded after war broke out in Europe, and completed

6666-412: The missing vehicles was excavated from 30 feet below the surface after being located in an English field. (See also #Preservation .) During Operation Highjump , the United States Navy Antarctic Developments Program from 1946 to 1947, LVT-3s and LVT-4s were tested in Antarctic conditions. In the 1950s, LVTs still in service were replaced by the LVTP-5 family of vehicles, which in turn were followed by

6767-449: The more prominent lakes in the Lakeland area are Lake Hollingsworth , Lake Morton , Lake Mirror, and Lake Gibson . Swans are one of the most visible features on the lakes near downtown Lakeland. They have a long history, the first swans appearing around 1923. By 1954, the swans were gone, eradicated by alligators and pets. A Lakeland resident who mourned the passing of the swans wrote to Queen Elizabeth II . The royal family allowed

6868-420: The most heavily defended beaches the Americans ever met in the Pacific. This was also the first use of the LVT-2 Water Buffalo in combat. 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion LVTs took part in the first, second, and third waves of landings and carried the continuous supply of ammunition, reinforcements, and ferrying back of the wounded. Of 125 vehicles used (50 new LVT-2s and 75 LVT-1s), only 35 remained operational by

6969-446: The mud. The US Army used LVT-2s and LVT-4s in Europe in small numbers in 1944–45 for river crossing operations. LVT-2s and LVT-4s were used by US troops on the Roer River crossing in 1945. US Army LVT-4's were also used by 752nd Tank Battalion to ferry 88th Infantry Division troops across the Po River in Italy in April 1945. Five LVT-4s were supplied through Lend-Lease to the Soviet Red Army , which used them when assaulting

7070-488: The nation, the Florida peninsula was used as a launching point for military forces in the war. The then small town of Lakeland housed over 9,000 troops. The 10th Cavalry Regiment , one of the original Buffalo Soldier regiments, were housed on the banks of Lake Wire. Soon after being stationed there, the black troops faced conflict with the local white population. In one event, a local druggist refused to sell to black soldiers and an argument ensued which eventually escalated to

7171-409: The new machine was often an issue, as few Marines were trained to work on it, and early models suffered frequent breakdowns. As LVT-1 vehicles experienced many breakdowns they were gradually phased out of operational use before 1945. This was an improved version of LVT-1. It featured a new powertrain (to save time and to simplify production it was the same Continental radial 7-cylinder engine as that in

7272-631: The newest, Allen Kryger Park. The "boom" period went "bust" quickly, and years passed before the city recovered. Part of the reemergence was due to the arrival of the Detroit Tigers baseball team in 1934 for spring training. The Tigers still train at Lakeland's Joker Marchant Stadium and own the city's Class A Florida State League team, the Lakeland Flying Tigers . In the mid-1930s, the Works Progress Administration built

7373-440: The overnight low. Like most of Central Florida, afternoon thunderstorms are the norm throughout the summer. Winters in Lakeland are drier and warm, with frequent sunny skies. High temperatures range in the mid 70s during the day, with lows in the 50s. Cold snaps drop temperatures below freezing twice a year on average. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 112,641 people, 41,750 households, and 24,433 families residing in

7474-616: The point where the druggist brandished a pistol. The soldiers shot the druggist before he could fire, which resulted in two of the troops being arrested. The Florida boom resulted in the construction of many significant structures in Lakeland, a number of which are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places . This list includes the Terrace Hotel, New Florida Hotel (Regency Tower, currently Lake Mirror Tower), Polk Theatre , Frances Langford Promenade , Polk Museum of Art (not

7575-613: The population, while German came up as the third-most spoken language, which made up 0.8%, and French was fourth, with 0.5% of the population. In 1913, the Wolfson family arrived from Lithuania and became the first Jewish settlers to the area. After some struggles, the Jewish community in Lakeland flourished and the first synagogue, Temple Emanuel opened in 1932. The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute presents classes and seminars in Lakeland in partnership with Chabad of Lakeland. Lakeland

7676-423: The project is currently underway and it is unknown when the project will be completed. Joker Marchant Stadium , north of downtown, hosts spring training for the Detroit Tigers , as well as their Lakeland Flying Tigers class-A Florida State League and GCL Tigers rookie-league Gulf Coast League minor league baseball teams. RP Funding Center is also home to two indoor sports teams. The Lakeland Magic

7777-407: The rear cargo hold. The LVT-1 was propelled on both land and water by tracks which were fitted with Roebling patented oblique shoes that gave good grip on land as well as good drive in the water. A part of the forward driver's compartment, the bulk of the unarmoured steel hull was given over to a cargo area 21 ft 6 in by 9 ft 10 in which could be laden to 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg). The hold

7878-802: The reconnaissance units of the British Fourteenth Army in Burma operated LVT-1s. Although originally planned to fight against the Japanese on the Burmese coast at the end of 1943, this part of the operations plan was cancelled and no LVT-1s were used in combat. In 1945, the Royal Marines Amphibious support unit was created. Its LVT-4s and LVT(A)-4s supported Royal Marines landings in Burma and Malaya . Some LVT-3s, LVT-3Cs, and modified LVT(A)-5s saw action in

7979-436: The role of an armored personnel carrier while on land. Nationalist China (ROC) forces used some US-provided LVT-4s and LVT(A)-4s during China's civil war against communist Chinese troops . Many were captured by communist Chinese forces, with at least several dozen refitted with a Soviet ZiS-2 57 mm anti-tank gun in place of the original US 75 mm howitzer-gun following their successful capture of mainland China from

8080-531: The same speed of 25 mph (40 km/h) on land and 5.4 kn (6.2 mph; 10.0 km/h) in water of the Mark 2, with an operational endurance of 125 mi (200 km) on land or 75 mi (120 km) in water. These vehicles were intended to provide fire support to the assaulting Marines in the early stages of establishing a beachhead. It was common, however, for the LVT(A)s to commence firing whilst still in

8181-556: The school (renamed the Lodwick School of Aeronautics in the midst of this period). From June 1941 until October 1942, 1,327 British Royal Air Force cadets trained at the Lakeland facility. The Lodwick School of Aeronautics closed in 1945. The airport ceased flight operations in the 1960; the site has since then housed the Detroit Tigers ' "Tiger Town" baseball complex. According to the United States Census Bureau ,

8282-498: The two cities of Bartow and Fort Meade , eventually, people entered the areas in northern Polk County and began settling in the areas which became Lakeland. Lakeland was first settled in the 1870s, and began to develop as the rail lines reached the area in 1884. Freedmen settled here in 1883, starting development of what became the African-American neighborhood of Moorehead. Lakeland was incorporated January 1, 1885. The town

8383-411: The water and 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) on land, it could deliver 20 fully equipped assault troops to the beach and supply supporting fire from two .30 M1919 Browning machine guns though it was only intended for delivering supplies inland until wheeled vehicles could be brought ashore. It was powered by a Hercules WXLC 146 bhp (109 kW) six-cylinder petrol engine, mounted in a housing in

8484-510: The water. At Roi-Namur, the 24th Marines had support of LVT(A)-1s, but they could not close up enough to effectively support the troops from the beaches. Other LVT(A)-1s supported the 22nd Marines landing at Engebi. By mid-1944, all LVT(A)-1s had been replaced by much more capable 75mm gun armed LVT(A)-4s. This switch was primarily due to the LVT(A)-1 M6 gun lacking adequate bunker busting capabilities. The inability to neutralize bunkers on or near

8585-469: The weakened liberated civilians back behind the lines during the contested withdrawal. The US Army 826th Amphibious Tractor Battalion provided Company A to land 43rd Infantry Division troops in first wave of this first American return to the Philippine Islands . Following the landing Company A "amphibs" were utilized to transport dead and wounded, carry supplies inland and provide support throughout

8686-624: The well-defended west banks of the Oder and Danube rivers. The first operational use of the LVT in North Africa was in November 1942. A small number of LVT-1s were used during the landings on the coast of North Africa during Operation Torch . Four LVT-1s and two bulldozers were assigned to each shore party engineer company. Their tasks were towing vehicles and boat salvage operations. LVT-1s proved useful in getting stranded landing craft afloat, but they also experienced many mechanical failures. Some of

8787-676: Was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males. In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $ 16,119, and for a family was $ 17,468. Males had a median income of $ 14,137 versus $ 9,771 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 15,760. About 47% of families and 35% of the population were below the poverty line , including 97% of those under age 18 and 9% of those age 65 or over. As of 2000, those who spoke only English at home accounted for 91% of all residents, while 9% spoke other languages at home. The most significant were Spanish speakers who made up 6.4% of

8888-582: Was J.W. Trammell. The first female mayor was Lois Q. Searl, who served in 1965. The 1970 municipal election placed the first African-American on the City Commission, Dr. John S. Jackson . In 1972, he became the first black mayor for the city. In 1980, Carrie R. Oldham became Lakeland's first African-American female mayor. Since 1988, the mayor has been elected by the city's voters. On September 28, 2006, Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Vernon "Matt" Williams and his K-9 partner Diogi were shot and killed after

8989-578: Was a success. The defenders were quickly overwhelmed compromising the remainder of the defenses. The Seabees named their LVTs "doodlebugs". From the Peleliu campaign on, a number of LVTs were fitted with a flamethrower for use against fortifications. The LVT was usually flanked by a pair of gun tanks for protection. A number of LVTs were converted to armored ambulances carrying a doctor and three corpsmen . LVTs were also employed as guide boats for tanks unloading onto submerged reefs. The largest use of LVTs

9090-835: Was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 2012, Wright's campus was designated as a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service . At the beginning of World War II , the Lakeland School of Aeronautics —headquartered at the recently built Lakeland Municipal Airport —became part of a nationwide network of civilian flight schools enjoined for the war effort by the United States Army Air Corps . Between 1940 and 1945, more than 8,000 Army Air Corps and Army Air Forces cadets trained on two-seater Stearman PT-17 and PT-13 biplanes at

9191-473: Was armed with three .30-caliber machine guns (sometimes water-cooled models) and a .50-caliber machine gun. Organization of LVTs of the Amphibian Tractor Battalions for the assault: In the amphibious assault on Tarawa in late 1943, the LVTs were first used for amphibious assault in order to negotiate the barrier reef, where several Higgins Boats had run aground and became stuck, and arrive to

9292-590: Was cargo transport from ship to shore. Many vehicles were refitted prior to the Tarawa landing to hold two .50 in (13 mm) Browning heavy machine guns forward, with the .30 guns aft. The vehicle was not armored and its thin steel hull offered virtually no protection, although prior to Tarawa some vehicles received 9 mm (0.35 in) of armor plating to the cab. Tracks performed well on sand , but not on tough surfaces. The rigid suspension threw tracks and roller bearings corroded in salt water. Proper maintenance of

9393-467: Was divided into several watertight compartments. 1,225 LVT-1s were built between 1941 and 1943, 485 were transferred to the US Army and 200 to the British Army. The LVT-1 had a maximum speed of 12 mph (19 km/h) on land or 6.9 mph (11.1 km/h) in water; and a range of 210 miles (340 km) on land or 60 miles (100 km) in water. No armor or weapons were included in its design as its role

9494-578: Was established to organize and advise the City in the design, content, and construction of the exhibit. The Lakeland Public Library was eventually chosen as the location of the future exhibit space due to its central location within the city, its status as a community hub, and because it was the current home of the city's local archive, the Lakeland History Room, which would be expanded into the Lakeland History and Culture Center. Construction on

9595-506: Was first presented to the City Commission to create the City's first History and Culture Center. The project was unanimously approved by the Commission and funds were allocated for the project's construction; although, the exhibit's content design would be funded by local donations and grant funding. An advisory committee made up of educators, city officials, local business owners, and civic and community leaders, led by former Mayor Gow Fields ,

9696-491: Was founded by Abraham Munn (a resident of Louisville, Kentucky ), who purchased 80 acres (320,000 m ) of land in what is now downtown Lakeland in 1882 and platted the land for the town in 1884. Lakeland was named for the many lakes near the town site. In April 1898, the Spanish–American War began and started a crucial point in Lakeland's development. While the war ended quickly and had little effect on most of

9797-489: Was hit 68 times, killing him instantly. Multiple investigations concluded the officers' use of force was justified. Deputy Williams and Diogi were laid to rest on October 3, 2006, after a funeral that included a one-hour-and-45-minute procession to Auburndale . In 2021, the Lakeland Police Department hired numerous former NYPD officers. Two of the new hires failed to disclose that they had been disciplined by

9898-554: Was in the Leyte landing in October 1944, with nine US Army amtrac and two amtank battalions deployed by US Army Sixth Army . These US Army LVTs were later used in other Philippine islands landings. 54 LVT(4) tracked amphibious assault vehicles of the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion as part of the raiding force on 23 February 1945 forged across Laguna de Bay and crashed the gates during the liberation of Los Baños Internment Camp . They ferried

9999-451: Was incorporated on January 1, 1885. The mayor is one of seven members of the City Commission, acting as the board chair and performing mostly ceremonial and procedural duties beyond the powers of the other six. Prior to 1988, the City Commission selected Lakeland's mayor from among its members. Mayors can be on the board for up to 12 years in a lifetime, or 16 years in combination with holding a regular commission position. Lakeland's first mayor

10100-419: Was the first infantry support LVT. With the first experience of Pacific amphibious operations it was clear heavier firepower than the usual .50 in guns was needed. Based on the LVT-2, A standing for 'armored', this fire support version had a hull with 12 mm (0.47 in) plate on the bow, cab and turret and 6 mm (0.24 in) of armor elsewhere. It was fitted with a turret nearly identical to that of

10201-499: Was unlikely, the Marines modernized some of the LVT-3s and LVT(A)-5s under projects SCB-60B and SCB-60A respectively, and kept them in service until the late 1950s. USMC LVT-1s were mainly used for logistical support at Guadalcanal . LVT-1 proved in this campaign its tactical capabilities, versatility and potential for amphibious operations. As LVT-1s were unarmed, the Marines decided to arm them using any available machine gun. Each one

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