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Amphibious warfare

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Amphibious warfare is a way to move troops and equipment from ships onto a shore.

M113s disembarking a LHD Landing Craft during Talisman Sable 2019
M113s disembarking a LHD Landing Craft during Talisman Sable 2019

This is considered the most complex kind of military maneuver. It requires many different groups to work together perfectly. These groups include people who fly planes and those who use naval guns. They must also use special transport ships and follow careful plans. Without good coordination, these landings can lead to very bad results. Success depends on having the right tools and lots of training.

Darke APA-159 - LCVP 18
Darke APA-159 - LCVP 18

These operations happen in different stages to ensure they work. First, leaders must do strategic planning and careful preparation. Next, the forces move across the ocean to the area of operations. After that, they practice with rehearsals before they actually land. The actual landing of troops is a very important part. Once on the beach, the forces must work to hold their ground. Finally, they move further inland using ground and air power.

lci-convoy
lci-convoy

People have used the sea to reach land since ancient times. The Sea Peoples once challenged the Egyptians during the reign of Akhenaten. Later, the Persians landed at Marathon on September 9, 490 BC. This was a huge operation for that time in history. In 1537, Charles V of Spain began training special units. These were the first professional marines, called the Compañías Viejas del Mar de Nápoles. They were trained to fight both on ships and on land.

Tapisserie bato1
Tapisserie bato1

History shows that landings can be small or very large. A small raid might only take a few days to plan. These often happen on small islands to gain a new base. Larger landings can take months of planning and many fleets. For example, the Battle of Leyte was a massive strategic landing. Operation Neptune was another huge event that required great effort. In 1583, Álvaro de Bazán led a successful landing in the Azores. He used 90 ships and 15,000 men to win.

RoK K1 88-Tank landing from LCAC
RoK K1 88-Tank landing from LCAC

Today, many different types of vehicles make these landings possible. In the 1930s, the United States and United Kingdom used new vehicles. Some early prototypes were even named Alligator and Crocodile. Now, forces use fast patrol boats and rigid inflatable boats called zodiacs. They even use mini-submersibles to move people quietly. Large landing craft can also carry heavy tanks onto the beach.

Kiska Invasion 01
Kiska Invasion 01

This variety of tools helps move everything from soldiers to heavy cargo.

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🖼️ Images & Media (23)
File:The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H19057.jpg
The British Army in the United Kingdom...
File:RoK K1 88-Tank landing from LCAC.jpg
RoK K1 88-Tank landing from LCAC.jpg
File:M113s disembarking a LHD Landing Craft during Talisman Sable 2019.jpg
M113s disembarking a LHD Landing Craft...
File:Tapisserie bato1.jpg
Tapisserie bato1.jpg
File:PlainsOfAbraham2007.jpg
PlainsOfAbraham2007.jpg
File:Chesapeake Campaign Map.jpg
Chesapeake Campaign Map.jpg
File:Fort Fisher Bombardment.jpg
Fort Fisher Bombardment.jpg
File:Japanese Army Landing on the Liaodong Peninsula 1.jpg
Japanese Army Landing on the Liaodong...
File:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1970-074-34, Besetzung der Insel Ösel, Truppenanlandung.jpg
Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1970-074-34,...
File:V Beach Helles Gallipoli.jpg
V Beach Helles Gallipoli.jpg
File:Anzac Beach 4th Bn landing 8am April 25 1915.jpg
Anzac Beach 4th Bn landing 8am April 25 1915.jpg
File:Kiska Invasion 01.jpg
Kiska Invasion 01.jpg

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