Amphibious << am FIHB ee uhs >> warfare is the conduct of military operations by naval, air, and land forces to enter or seize a beach or coast. Amphibious operations are generally considered the most complex form of warfare. In the Pacific Ocean region during World War II (1939-1945), a common objective of United States amphibious operations was to seize islands on which to build advance air and naval bases for operations against Japan.
Steps in amphibious operations.
Officers of the various forces taking part in an amphibious operation first decide where the landing will take place. They plan the number and kinds of ships, planes, and troops that will take part. They also plan the equipment the troops will need.
The first step in an amphibious landing is to gain complete mastery of the skies over the area to be seized. Planes and warships then bombard the landing beach to prevent defenders from shooting at the approaching landing craft and helicopters.
Amphibious craft then arrive with troops, weapons, vehicles, and other cargo. Some clear the area of obstructions. Others unload the troops and equipment directly onto the beach. Additional vessels transfer the troops and equipment using small amphibious landing craft and helicopters. Once a beachhead (foothold) has been established, amphibious ships and cargo ships send more troops and equipment ashore.
History of amphibious warfare.
The ancient Greeks and Romans carried out early forms of amphibious landings. In 1066, the Normans undertook a successful amphibious landing when they invaded England (see Norman Conquest).
Amphibious operations played a major role in World War II. The Japanese carried out amphibious assaults on the Philippines, Malaya, and the East Indies. American forces counterattacked with amphibious landings in the Central Pacific. Beginning at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, they worked their way toward Japan by landing on numerous Pacific islands. Allied troops also made amphibious invasions of North Africa and Italy. The Allied landing at Normandy in northern France on June 6, 1944—known as D-Day—was the largest amphibious invasion in history. German and Soviet forces also made amphibious landings during the war.
During the Korean War (1950-1953), U.S. marines made a difficult but highly successful landing at the Korean port of Incheon (also called Inchon) on the Yellow Sea. In 1982, British forces made a major amphibious landing in the Falkland Islands after Argentine troops invaded and occupied the islands. U.S. troops undertook an amphibious invasion of the Caribbean island of Grenada in 1983 after Communists took control of Grenada’s government.
After World War II, American and British forces developed techniques for moving troops by helicopter from ship to shore. Today, inflatable watercraft and air cushion vehicles (ACV’s) are also used. ACV’s can move troops and equipment at high speeds from amphibious ships to the beach. These craft travel on a cushion of air and can move over land or water (see Air cushion vehicle). Following the Cold War, submarines have broadened their amphibious capabilities. Such submarines can land special forces in secret to fight or to collect intelligence (information).
