The Development of Marine Corps Amphibious Doctrine, 1898-1941

Land the Landing Force: The Development of U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Doctrine, 1898–1941

by Eric Hammel

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1873 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	21 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

The United States Marine Corps has a long and distinguished history of amphibious operations. From the landing at Veracruz in 1847 to the storming of Iwo Jima in 1945, Marines have played a vital role in projecting American power ashore. The development of Marine Corps amphibious doctrine has been a continuous process, shaped by the experiences of combat and the evolving nature of warfare.

The Early Years

The roots of Marine Corps amphibious doctrine can be traced to the late 19th century. In 1898, the Marines participated in the Spanish-American War, which saw the United States acquire overseas territories in the Caribbean and the Pacific. The war highlighted the need for a specialized force capable of conducting amphibious operations. In response, the Marine Corps established the Amphibious Brigade in 1903.

The Amphibious Brigade was a small force of Marines, sailors, and Army troops. It was designed to conduct raids and landings in support of naval operations. The brigade's first major test came in 1900, when it was deployed to China to suppress the Boxer Rebellion. The Marines conducted a successful amphibious landing at Taku Forts, which helped to open the way for the relief of Beijing.

The Interwar Period

The interwar period saw the Marine Corps continue to develop its amphibious capabilities. In 1921, the Marine Corps established the Fleet Marine Force (FMF). The FMF was a permanent force of Marines assigned to the Navy. It was designed to provide the Navy with a dedicated amphibious force capable of conducting a wide range of operations.

The FMF underwent a major reorganization in 1933. The brigade structure was replaced by a regimental structure. The FMF also began to receive new equipment, including landing craft and amphibious tractors. These new technologies gave the Marines the ability to conduct amphibious operations over greater distances and with greater firepower.

World War II

The outbreak of World War II in 1939 presented the Marine Corps with its greatest challenge to date. The Marines were called upon to conduct a series of amphibious landings in the Pacific theater. These landings included the assault on Guadalcanal in 1942, the invasion of Tarawa in 1943, and the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945.

The Marines' amphibious landings in World War II were a major success. The Marines developed new tactics and techniques for conducting amphibious operations. They also learned the importance of close cooperation with the Navy and other branches of the military.

The Legacy of Marine Corps Amphibious Doctrine

The Marine Corps amphibious doctrine that was developed in the period from 1898 to 1941 had a profound impact on the conduct of World War II. The Marines' ability to conduct amphibious operations over greater distances and with greater firepower was a major factor in the Allied victory in the Pacific. The Marine Corps amphibious doctrine that was developed in this period remains the foundation of Marine amphibious operations today.

The development of Marine Corps amphibious doctrine has been a continuous process, shaped by the experiences of combat and the evolving nature of warfare. The Marines' amphibious doctrine has enabled them to project American power ashore for over a century. The Marine Corps amphibious doctrine is a vital part of the United States' national security strategy.

Land the Landing Force: The Development of U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Doctrine, 1898–1941

by Eric Hammel

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1873 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	21 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE