Thousands of landing craft were used to transport men and equipment across the English Channel on D-Day. Many different types of craft were used. These ranged from tiny Assault Landing Craft to huge Landing Ships. Other landing craft were fitted with guns or rockets. There was even a 'Landing Barge, Kitchen' to prepare food for the troops. The use of landing craft meant that the Allies could land troops and heavy equipment, such as tanks, on strongly defended beaches that were not previously intended to receive supplies. Because equipment could be brought directly onto the beaches, the landing craft were also a short-term solution to the problem of securing the harbours and ports that were needed for the immediate build-up of men and materiel. Although the development of specialised landing craft began early in the war, it was only on D-Day that they were used on such a scale.