Tank landing craft in the south-east corner of No. 3 Basin, Portsmouth Dockyard, Hampshire

Looking south-by-east from the top of the 250 ton hammerhead crane on the Promontory showing the south-east corner of No. 3 Basin, Portsmouth Dockyard. Four Mark 4 tank landing craft are berthed in a trot in the corner of the basin and they all have camouflage netting over their tank decks. The innermost vessel is LCT 609 (1942) of the 39th LCT Flotilla and she is fitted with Sherman type ramp extensions. Next to her is LCT 666 (1943) and then LCT 859 (1943) of the 32nd LCT Flotilla, both fitted with Mulock heavy tank ramp extensions. The outboard vessel is not identified but is also fitted with Mulock type heavy tank ramp extensions. Two unidentified Mark 3 tank landing craft are in the flooded No. 12 Dry Dock. The Factory is on the left and the burnt out Guildhall can be seen in the distance with the Solent, Isle of Wight and Spit Sand Fort in the distant right. Resident photographer Robert William Wheeler took the photograph using a 5" x 4" press plate camera, assisted by Mr Fred E Wooden.