Amphibious Operations: Do We Need a Hard Reset?

Abstract

Mankind has been landing troops by sea-going vessels on foreign shores since time immemorial. In 1200 BCE, to attack Troy, the Greeks had to make a shore landing, as did the Persians prior to the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE. Both the world wars saw several amphibious landings, the most prominent ones being Gallipoli in 1915 and Normandy in 1944. During World War 2 the Pacific Theatre witnessed many amphibious operations. Over time the complexity of amphibious operations increased with technologically enhanced land power, and the advent of maritime and air power, all of which necessitated a high degree of joint planning and flexibility of execution. This article will analyse amphibious operations in the contemporary context and examine if there is a need for a hard reset.