Author:
Liptak, Eugene, author.
ImprintOxford ; New York : Osprey Publishing, 2014.
Imprint2014
Description64 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm.
Note:Amphibious Scouts & Raiders. Origins ; Weapons and equipment; Operations, Mediterranean and Europe: North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Adriatic Sea, Normandy, Southern France ; Operations, Pacific: Marshall Islands, New Guinea, New Britain, Philippines -- Beach Jumpers. Origins ; Weapons and equipment ; Operations: Sicily, Italy, Southern France, Philippines -- Naval Combat Demolition Units. Forerunners: North Africa and Sicily ; Establishment of NCDUs ; Weapons and equipment ; Operations, Pacific: Admiralty Islands, New Guinea, Philippines, Borneo ; Operations, Europe: Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Southern France -- Underwater Demolition Teams. Origins ; weapons and equipment; Transportation: APDs and LCP(R)s ; Operations: Marshall Islands, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Peleliu, Philippines, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Borneo, Japanese surrender -- Naval Group China. Origins -- Cdr Milton Miles ; "Happy Valley" ; Inter-service rivalries ; Navy/Air Force cooperation ; Operations: Guerilla training and operations ; Pact Doc ; Weather stations ; Coast watching ; French Indochina ; Japanese surrender.
Bibliography Note:Includes bibliographical references (page 63) and index.
Note:The Allies knew that large-scale amphibious landings were needed to tip the balance of World War II, so the US Navy developed several innovative and specialized units to reconnoitre potential landing areas, degrade the enemy's ability to resist, and assist the landing forces on to the beaches. The Scouts and Raiders were one of the forerunners of the famous SEALs, and the Beach Jumpers made elaborate simulated landing to distract the enemy. The Naval Combat Demolition Units and Underwater Demolition Teams cleared obstacles to amphibious landings, while Naval Group China fought daringly alongside Chinese guerrillas behind Japanese lines. This book uncovers the fascinating history of these lesser-known units, the equipment they developed and tested in action, and the vital roles they carried out throughout the war.
