Quote:
Originally Posted by The Colonel
I seem to recall several accounts of crusaders using ships fitted with ramps via which horsemen could ride directly onto the shore - probably the medieval version of an LST.
In the C19, I also seem to recall accounts of shallow draft, square bowed boats being used to land troops - probably modified lighters and mainly used to land horses, guns and/or stores as troops can be landed in regular boats.
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They had such things on the Med and plenty of experience transporting horses but neither were as common in the Atlantic. David Howarth believed that if Harold Godwinsson had returned Williams army would have been immobilized by seasick horses. Seasick men too but that is another story.
Unless there was a prolonged inland campaign in mind most amphibious operations had no cavalry involved. A simple island-snatch would have been an infantry op. Even the Great Heathen Army stole most of it's horses from the Saxons on arrival rather then bringing them along.