Landing Vehicle Tracked LVT-4 Buffalo
The Landing Vehicle Tracked LVT-4, commonly known as the “Buffalo,” was an amphibious assault vehicle used by the United States during World War II, particularly in the Pacific theater. It was an improved version of the earlier LVT-1 and LVT-2 models, designed to transport troops, equipment, and supplies from ships to shore during amphibious assaults. The LVT-4 was powered by a 147-horsepower gasoline engine, giving it a top speed of 8 mph (13 km/h) on land and 4 mph (6.4 km/h) in water.
The vehicle had a fully tracked design, which allowed it to move across both land and water, making it highly versatile in the difficult island terrain of the Pacific. It could carry up to 30 soldiers or approximately 5 tons of cargo in its spacious, open-top hull. The LVT-4’s armor was relatively light, with thickness ranging from 12 to 19mm, which offered limited protection from small arms fire but was sufficient for its role in amphibious landings.
The LVT-4 was equipped with a .50 caliber M2 Browning heavy machine gun for defense, and later models were equipped with additional armament, including 40mm Bofors guns or flamethrowers for close support. With a production of over 1,000 units, the LVT-4 played a crucial role in major battles like Iwo Jima and Okinawa, allowing U.S. forces to successfully land and advance across hostile beaches.
