Amphibious Vehicles

Amphibious operations have occurred for millennia when attacking forces landed on shores of oceans, lakes, or rivers held by enemy forces. Speed and overwhelming force were essential to tactical success, because the assault forces needed to get sufficient numbers of troops and equipment ashore before the defenders could drive them back into the sea. Transporting the assault forces to shore required specialized boats, but these vessels were limited in the places where they could land troops. Shores had to be accessible to the shallow draft boats and free of obstructions like reefs or sandbars above and below the waterline. Only true amphibious vehicles could traverse such obstacles. It was not until the 20th century that amphibians were developed and utilized in these operations. This entry ...