Naval Strategy and Operations in Narrow Seas

by Vego,Milan N.

• ISBN13: 9780714653891
• ISBN10: 0714653896
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-01-31
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Naval warfare in a typical narrow sea such as the Baltic Sea or the Arabian Gulf includes peculiarities not found in war on the open ocean. Because of the proximity of the landmass, the employment of naval forces and aircraft is far more complex than in war on the open ocean. The outcome of war in a typical narrow sea depends - to a larger degree than on the open ocean - on the course of events on land and in the air. The threat of land-based aircraft, submarines, coastal anti-ship missiles and mines makes the operations of blue-water navies such as the US Navy both more complicated and riskier than on the open ocean. Typically, naval warfare in a narrow sea is highly intense, with swift and drastic changes in a sea or air situation. Combat actions are conducted almost continuously over the entire sea area and in the air and are fought at high intensity from the outset, with sudden shifts from offensive to defensive. Sea or air actions often take place during the night or in bad visibility, making themovement, deployment and redeployment of one's own and friendly forces very difficult. The key aspects of conducting naval strategy and operations in narrow seas are covered here. Professor Vego contends that blue-water navies have not given it serious consideration, and it is necessary to revise the view that a fleet capable of defeating an adversary on the open ocean will automatically do the same in narrow seas.

Author Biography

Milan N. Vego was born in Capljina, Herzegovina, and was granted political asylum in the United States in 1976. He gained his PhD from the George Washington University for his thesis 'Anatomy of Austrian Sea Power, 1904-1914'. Since 1991 he has been Professor of Operations at the US Naval War College, where he teaches operational art, military planning and decision-making, and east European history and politics

Table of Contents

List of Maps	p. vi
List of Abbreviations	p. vii
List of Place Names	p. xi
Series Editor's Preface	p. xiii
Preface	p. xv
Introduction	p. 1
The Factor of Space	p. 15
Positions	p. 42
Bases	p. 61
Theater Geometry	p. 73
Strategic Objectives and Fleet Distribution	p. 97
Sea Control and Sea Denial	p. 110
Methods	p. 129
Securing Control	p. 147
Exercising Control	p. 184
Disputing Control	p. 206
Attack on Maritime Trade	p. 225
Defense and Protection of Maritime Trade	p. 254
Support of the Army Flank	p. 267
Conclusion	p. 292
Select Bibliography	p. 301
Index	p. 311
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