HMS BULWARK's landing craft

[Robert J Smith]

Hi,

HMS BULWARK was in Plymouth Sound during the week with her landing craft running between ship & shore. Most of them had B numbers i.e. B3 & B5. I assumed the B stood for BULWARK but one was A7, is she part of BULWARK's armament or is she associated with sister ship HMS ALBION.

Anyone know?

Regards

Bob

[steve*f]

Hi Bob,

This is a great question and a subject I am researching at the moment. I have seen quite a few LCVP (landing craft) recently over the last two years in London and I am researching what units they were from.

BULWARK was in London in 2011 and had 'B' prefix LCVP on board. They were from 1 Assault Group Royal Marines (1 AGRM)/4 Assault Squadron Royal Marines (4 ASRM) who operate from HMS BULWARK.

OCEAN was in London during 2012 (twice) and carried LCVP with 'N' and 'P' prefix codes. They were from 1 Assault Group Royal Marines (1 AGRM)/9 Assault Squadron Royal Marines (9 ASRM) who operate from HMS OCEAN.

However during the Olympics a number of LCVP carried 'A' prefix codes (A7 0204 was one noted) and a few people, including a number of reports on the Internet sugest they were from the training squadron - 10 Landing Craft Training Squadron ( 10 LCTS) These 'A' prefix LCVP were never spotted on board OCEAN at any time. These also never carried any additional squadron flags. I've logged quite a few numbers recently!

Again this is just what I have resarched for the craft I've seen and may be total nonsence for you but it may help.

Regards
Steve

[Robert J Smith]

Thanks Steve,

That probably makes sense being as ALBION was not in Devonport as far as I know.

I thought I had seen something recently regarding these prefix's, must have been on your website 

Cheers

Bob

[steve*f]

Hi, Bob

HMS ALBION is currently in Extended Readiness as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review SDSR.

[B.Clark]

BULWARK came into Falmouth Bay on Saturday 16th March and dropped off 4 landing craft, the landing craft exercised in Carrick Roads and
 in the harbour for a while. BULWARK later returned to the bay and picked them up before heading for the Plymouth area.
I got some hurried shots but never noticed their markings.

[Robert J Smith]

With reference to "British Warships & Auxiliaries 2012/2013" the alpha-numeric codes signify their parent ship
A-Albion
B-Bulwark
P-RM Poole

although there is a photo of a LCVP Mk5 with the alpha-numeric code C13, Maybe C for oCean.

Regards

Bob

[steve*f]

Hi Bob,

thats really useful and interesting info. More info to mull over. the Royal Marines don't make it easy
Any other info would be much appreciated if ever you come across any.
Im trying to also find out what the red and yellow flag and blue and red flag carried means.

Thanks for the update

Regards
Steve

PS

Just noted the hover craft that were with Bulwark in 2011 were 'C' codes with C21 and C22

[B.Clark]

I think the red and yellow flags may indicate the 'troop' that the RM's belong to.

[Robert J Smith]

Hi Bob,

thats really useful and interesting info. More info to mull over. the Royal Marines don't make it easy
Any other info would be much appreciated if ever you come across any.
Im trying to also find out what the red and yellow flag and blue and red flag carried means.

Thanks for the update

Regards
Steve

PS

Just noted the hover craft that were with Bulwark in 2011 were 'C' codes with C21 and C22

Hi Steve,

All I can find re: hovercraft is that there are 4 Griffon 2400TD LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion) that operate from the well deck on RN amphibious ships.

Regards

Bob

[miraflores]

In June 2008 I could make these 4 fotos in the Kiel Canal, HMS Bulwark was in the Baltic Sea at that time.

http://www.sh-touri.de/fotos/b1.jpg
http://www.sh-touri.de/fotos/b1_01.jpg
http://www.sh-touri.de/fotos/b2.jpg
http://www.sh-touri.de/fotos/b5.jpg

Rgds.

Juergen

[buggins]

the LCAs and LCUs all have a 4 digit boat number which is their permanent identifier, these can sometimes be seen on the wheelhouse. The A B and P numbers relate to the unit they are allocated to and can therefore change. Ocean`s LCAs have an "N" identifier. One of the LCUs is marked "FJ" commemorating the LCM and crew lost in the Falklands.