Amphibious Landing Drill by U.S. Forces on the Algerian Coast, 1944

June 20, 2025 - Reading time: 3 minutes

U.S. amphibious assault troops land during a training exercise from USS Cepheus (AKA-18) in Algeria.

Algerian Coast, North Africa. April 1944.
Before the guns roared on the shores of France, the U.S. Navy and Marines sharpened their amphibious teeth under the blazing sun of North Africa. Captured in this rare photo is a practice run of amphibious assault drills — troops disembark from LCVP Higgins boats and wade onto an Algerian beach, rehearsing what would soon become D-Day routines.

The landing craft are launched from the USS Cepheus (AKA-18), an Andromeda-class attack cargo ship operated by the United States Coast Guard under Navy command. These vessels were the logistical workhorses of the Allied landing forces, capable of carrying hundreds of tons of cargo and deploying assault troops directly onto beaches via smaller boats.

These drills were part of Operation Torch’s extended theater presence and subsequent preparations for the invasion of Europe. By this time in 1944, North Africa had become a massive forward-operating base, staging ground, and live-fire classroom for the coming storm across the Channel.

📷 Technical photo data:
📸 Photographer: Unknown
🌐 Source: commons.wikimedia.org
📅 Date: April 1944
📍 Location: Algeria, North Africa