question for military historians: has the USA attempted an amphibious assault that failed? im a former........

Question

marine and was taught that all amphbious operations were successful, i have a hard time believing that because of the lack of the element of suprise and the complex logistics of such an assault

Answer 1

No, although they did end up often being extremely costly for the very reason you stated earlier. Amphibious assults require a much larger force than a ground assult, and a larger force increases death by accidents and the fact there are more targets. Interestingly enough, the whole reason why a larger force is needed is because of the expected casualties.

Answer 2

Yes, after the tremendous casualties taken at the amphibious assault on Tarawa in 1943 all it was realized that all amphibious tactics had to be reviewed and modified. The US won the battle of course but the casualties were out of proportion to the objective and the timetable was thrown off by the resistance of the Japanese defenders, who destroyed most of the incoming landing craft in the first waves

Answer 3

I can't say I'm a history buff, but with all of the reading I have done, I have never heard of a amphibious assault failing. Believe it or not, some landings have been a surprise. Another thing to remember, if you throw enough soldiers and bombs at a target, you will achieve your goal. Look at the numbers for Iwo Jima.

Answer 4

No, we have not yet failed..

From Crossing the Delaware, Liberating Cuba from Spain, through WWII we never have had a FAILED amphibious assault.

Many were costly... but that is warfare. We learn from our errors.

Thanks Marine

Answer 5

Bay of Pigs

Answer 6

I was in the Navy, Marine. I don't know of one that ever failed. That doesn't mean they were easy.

Answer 7

They sure have.