ISSUE 1 : Nov/Dec - 1976 - Australian Defence Force Journal

A NEW AMPHIBIOUS CAPABILITY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN SERVICES 21at sea. He observed that the bulk of the forcesand equipments required are already availablein the Australian Services, apart from specialistamphibious shipping, but he went on, withoutexplanation, to claim that the creation of anamphibious force would reduce the size andcapability of the three Services for the performanceof individual Service duties. Thisclaim would appear to be based on the ideathat a separate Marine Corps with its ownair support is a necessity for the conduct ofamphibious operations; but the need for sucha concept cannot be substantiated. As notedearlier, Australian Army units have conductedamphibious operations successfully in twoWorld Wars: although the US Marines conducteda series of island-hopping amphibiousoperations required in the Pacific in WorldWar II, US Army units provided the bulk ofAmerican participation in allied landings inthe North Africa and European theatre; whilein the UK forces the British Army has alwaysprovided the bulk of wartime landing forces.Even in the so-called 'peace' of the '50s to'70s, when the Royal Marines CommandoBrigade has provided the spear-head of UKlanding forces, their armour, artillery, engineerand logistic support has been provided byArmy units.In this writer's view, to meet Australia'sstrategic requirements and to give greatertactical flexibility to operations around Australia'scoast, all Field Force units should becapable of tactical deployment by sea as wellas by land and air. There would be no lossin any Service's capabilities to conduct theirindividual single service roles, but there wouldbe a very definite gain in joint capabilities forstrategic and tactical movement. A PatrolBoat inserting a beach recce party; destroyersproviding escort and/or naval gunfire support;a clearance divin« team clearing underwaterBritish LSLs beached during an exercise in the Mediterranean.