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Amphibious operations

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2017 9:42 am
by Francis Marliere
Gentlemen,

I have some questions about amphibious operations (just the landing, not assault, which is even more complicated).

I assume that not all beaches are suited for a landing. What is the minimum size and maximum slope for the beaching of a small craft (LCVP, LCM, LCT) ? Same question for a LST.

I expect amphibious operations to be difficult in rough weather, despite historical counter exemples (Normandy). In which sea state it becomes dangerous or even impossible to sail in a small craft ? Same question for the deployment of small craft from a LSD / from a davies or deck of a ship. Same question for the beaching of a LST.

Since sea state may be a problem for amphibious operations, it may be better to land in a sheltered area. Not being a sailor, I don't realize how a bay or a creek can protect from heavy sea. Assuming a sea state of, let's say, 5 in open sea, what would it be in the sheltered area ?

I would like to estimate the time taken by a small craft to make a rotation. Transit time is easy to guess, but how long does it take to load and unload a LCVP / LCM / LCT ? How long does it take to unload a LST once beached ?

I assume that an unit that have been landed need space for defensive positions and stores. How much space does a batallon-sized unit need ?

Thanks for any help,

Francis Marliere

Re: Amphibious operations

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2017 4:42 pm
by Literalman
I found a document that will probably interest you, though it doesn't have specific answers to the questions you asked. On the Hyperwar website at http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ref ... index.html you can read "Landing Operations Doctrine, United States Navy, 1938." It doesn't have numbers about the slope of a beach or the sea state, but it does have sections on beachheads and selection of landing areas.

Re: Amphibious operations

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 5:30 pm
by dunmunro

Re: Amphibious operations

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 10:34 am
by Francis Marliere
Thanks.