The Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) or Higgins Boat was one of the most vital pieces of Allied naval equipment of the Second World War Used not only during Operation Overlord & the invasion of occupied France but also throughout American naval operations in the Pacific proving to be particularly useful during the operations at Okinawa & Iwo Jima With a shallow draught & full-width bow ramp it was able to offload its cargo & leave the beach in just 3 to 4 minutes