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| Many LST's were transferred to other countries after the WWII, Korea and Vietnam wars. This page is about some of those LST's and the changes they underwent with their new owners. This information is being provided by a former shipmate of the Taiwan Navy. His name is Larry Lin, 26 years of age, whose interest in LST's developed with his service (2002-2004) aboard the Taiwan Navy LST 208 Chung Shun. (Formerly the USS LST 732 ) I certainly appreciate Larry's cooperation in providing the information and photos and look forward to additional information as he is able to obtain it, change it into English and forward it to me. (CCB) |
| Photo of the former USS LST 732 Larry has sent a copy to the Navsource website for publication. At the present this may be the only photo of the LST 732 available on the web. I know they will be glad to obtain it. It may be a while before they can place it on their website. (ccb) |
| Taiwan Chung Shun - LST 208 (Formerly USS LST 732) |
| Ex-USN WWII-era LST's, all completely rebuilt 1960's.
Most probably based at Tsoying. Up to six of the ships listed below may be in reserve. Number Name Year Homeport Notes 201 Chung Hai 1944/46 Ex-LST 755 205 Chung Chien 1944/46 Ex-LST 716 208 Chung Shun 1944/46 Ex-LST 732 216 Chung Kuang 1943/60 Ex-LST 503 217 Chung Suo 1943/58 Ex-LST 400 221 Chung Chuan 1944/48 Ex-LST 640 226 Chung Chih 1945/58 Ex-LST 1091 227 Chung Ming 1945/58 Ex-LST 1152 230 Chung Pang 1944/58 Ex-LST 578 231 Chung Yeh 1945/61 Ex-LST 1144 (Haze Gray website) USS LST 732 • Laid down, 5 January 1944, at Dravo Corp., Neville Island, Pittsburgh, PA. • Launched, 19 February 1944 • Commissioned USS LST-732, 10 April 1944 • During World War II LST-732 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater • Following World War II LST-732 performed occupation duty in the Far East and saw service in China until early June 1946 • Decommissioned, 7 June 1946 • Struck from the Naval Register, 19 July 1946 • Transferred, to the Republic of China under terms of the Lend-Lease Act, named Chung Shun (LST-208) • Final Disposition, transferred to the US State Department for disposal, fate unknown |
| LARRY LIN Shipmate of Chung Shun - LST 208 (2002 - 2004) (Formerly USS LST 732) |
| An interesting article from a former Taiwan LST Sailor
who served on the Original USS LST 732
Hello.... Thanks for your response. I still collect the history of the LST and LSM of Navy of Taiwan. When I served in the navy during 2002 to 2004, there are 13 LST’s and 4 LSM’s. I can give you the data after I corrected for the Chinese. (There are several Chinese datum in this file.) Through the LST is truly not a modern ship, I still get great experience in those life. We took the amphibious exercise with LCU, or the training for the Marines. Besides, the supply for outlet army is also a exciting mission. I've landed (beached), for true mission or exercise, for 7 times within 1 year. In the 1970s, the LST’s are re-constructed with lots of difference. The Navy reconstructed the shape, replaced for the propulsion system. In the 1980s, the Navy renewed for the living cabins for air conditioned. And 4 LCVP’s are installed into each ship. In the 2000s, modern communication facilities are installed, such likes the military satellite phone or wireless network. Fewer people served in the ship now. 11 officers and 88 enlisted is the maximum number. Some LST’s are also change the location of restaurants (or the Marines' cabin). In the original design, the restaurant is under the kitchen and near the end of the ship. Some LST’s change the purpose for this space, instead with a huge cage. The area is not for the military issue but for a special reason. We send back the illegal-entered people from Mainland China (PROC) with the police and immigration office. So the people would be sent in to the cage and sailed to the outlets of Taiwan with a 6-hours journey. Then the Red Cross authorized by the China would take them back to the Mainland China. It also interesting that you've served in the LST1126. When did you served in the Navy? Since the LST’s are old ships, you may elder than me for even more than 15 years. (I am aged 26 now.) It a funny thing to share the difference of LST’s. I still got some pictures in my file. I'll try to handle it after my office hours. Sincerely yours, Larry Lin served on the original USS LST 732 |
| My most recent message from Larry in which he sent me the photos of himself and the former USS LST 732 above. 8/8/05 Dear Buddy I am also pleased to see your mail and so happy you can put my experience in your website. Also sent 2 pictures for you with this mail. The first photo is my picture in the Army Peer of Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan in 2004, one month before to be demobilized from the Navy. One officer took this photo for me. You can see that the lifeboat has been replaced for a new type ones. This kind of lifeboat would automatically enables once the pressure is up to the setting and is widely used now. The second one shows we were in a training for salvage training. We pretend that we lost our power and another LST try to towing us. Also you can see a column in the main deck. It's for training of Goods delivery in the sea. I also send some pictures to the NAVYSOURCE website (http://www.navsource.org) about the LST in Taiwan. They may put it on the website this two months. Last but not least, I appreciate your response and would like to thank you again. Sincerely yours, Larry Lin |
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