The Development Of Marine Corps Amphibious Doctrine 1898-1941

In the realm of military strategy, the ability to conduct amphibious operations has always been a crucial factor. From the early days of sailing and naval warfare to the modern era, the Marine Corps has played a significant role in developing and refining amphibious doctrines. This article explores the fascinating journey of the Marine Corps' development of amphibious doctrine from 1898 to 1941, tracing the key milestones and strategic transformations that shaped their approach.

From Expeditionary Forces to World War I

The roots of the Marine Corps' amphibious doctrine can be traced back to the late 19th century. In 1898, the Marine Corps made its first significant amphibious assault in the Battle of Guantánamo Bay during the Spanish-American War. This crucial operation laid the foundation for future amphibious strategies.

During World War I, the Marine Corps further refined its amphibious capabilities. With the advent of tanks, aircraft, and other innovations, the Marines became adept at conducting combined arms operations from ship to shore. The Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918 showcased the Corps' ability to adapt and succeed in challenging amphibious environments.

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

by Eric Hammel(Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1873 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	21 pages
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The Interwar Period: Experimentation and Learning

In the interwar period, the Marine Corps focused on experimentation and learning from previous experiences. The Lessons Learned from the Vera Cruz Intervention in 1914 and subsequent operations in Haiti and the Dominican Republic provided valuable insights into the challenges of amphibious warfare.

Under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Earl "Pete" Ellis, the Marine Corps conducted extensive studies and developed new doctrines. Ellis emphasized the use of mobile and flexible forces, combined arms, and close air support in amphibious operations. His work laid the groundwork for future amphibious campaigns.

World War II: The Pacific Theater

The outbreak of World War II marked a turning point in the development of Marine Corps amphibious doctrine. The Pacific Theater became the ultimate testing ground for the Corps' amphibious capabilities.

The Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942 was a watershed moment, highlighting the importance of amphibious assaults for securing strategic objectives. The Marines' successful operations in Guadalcanal and subsequent campaigns such as Tarawa, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa demonstrated the effectiveness of their evolving doctrine.

Key Principles and Innovations

Throughout this period, several key principles and innovations emerged that shaped Marine Corps amphibious doctrine:

• The emphasis on thorough intelligence, reconnaissance, and planning to ensure effective and successful landings
• The development of specialized landing craft and amphibious vehicles for transporting troops and equipment
• The integration of naval and air support to provide cover, suppress enemy defenses, and facilitate the landing
• The use of combined arms tactics, with Marines incorporating infantry, artillery, armor, and aviation elements
• The establishment of the Marine Corps Schools, which formalized the training and education of amphibious specialists

Legacy and Influence

The development of Marine Corps amphibious doctrine from 1898 to 1941 has left a lasting legacy and continues to shape military operations worldwide. The lessons learned during this period have been instrumental in the success of subsequent amphibious campaigns, such as the D-Day landings during World War II and the Incheon landings during the Korean War.

Today, the Marine Corps' commitment to amphibious warfare remains steadfast, with ongoing adaptations and refinements to doctrine and strategies. The ability to project power from the sea to the shore continues to be a crucial capability in modern warfare scenarios.

The Marine Corps' development of amphibious doctrine from 1898 to 1941 represents a remarkable journey of innovation, adaptation, and strategic refinement. From the initial engagements in the Spanish-American War to the pivotal battles of World War II, the Marines have continuously improved their amphibious capabilities.

The lessons learned from this period, combined with ongoing advancements, have ensured the Marine Corps' position as a leading force in amphibious warfare. As technology and tactics evolve, the Marine Corps continues to adapt and expand its capabilities, ensuring its readiness to face the challenges of the future.

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

by Eric Hammel(Kindle Edition)

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

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

Eric Hammel

For the first 123 years of its existence, the United States Marine Corps was, like its British parent, the Royal Marines, a branch of the navy composed of small, ship-board detachments that usually served as seagoing police or base guards but were sometimes employed as the core of detachments that boarded enemy ships or took part in brief forays to attack enemy ports and fortresses. This changed in 1898, when at Key West, at the start of the Spanish–American War, the Marine Corps organized and trained an expeditionary battalion of infantry and artillery to seize—and hold—a beachhead at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. On May 10, 1898—just ten days ahead of a landing by the main U.S. Army invasion force—the Marine expeditionary battalion secured the objective, which it then successfully defended against a superior Spanish force.

The use of amphibiously delivered Marines to seize an advance base and to defend it was revolutionary.

Now, in a 4,500-word essay, military historian Eric Hammel chronicles the evolution of the Fleet Marine Force and its amphibious tactics between 1898 and the eve of America’s entry into World War II.