Role of Amphibious Warfare in British Defense Policy

IAN SPELLER is Lecturer in Defence Studies at the Joint Services Command and Staff College. His research interests are amphibious warfare, maritime strategy and British foreign and defence policy.

• Acknowledgements Introduction Amphibious Renaissance The Torch of Combined Operations Cinderella of the Services Operational Capabilities and Lost Opportunities Amphibious Equipment Amphibious Ambassadors and Vertical Envelopment Operation Musketeer Epilogue Appendices Bibliography Index

'In his meticulously researched book Ian Speller tells us why between 1945 and 1956, in a throw-back to pre-Second World War thinking, amphibious warfare was the orphan of British strategy, despite stunning successes such as the Allied landings in Normandy. This book is a must for anyone with a serious interest in British Defence Policy.' - Julian Thompson, Major General 'Ian Speller is the leading expert on Britain's amphibious capabilities in the post Second World War era and has produced an excellent and comprehensive survey of their evolution in the period 1945-1956. He explains in a critical but balanced manner why this key maritime warfare area suffered from the neglect that was reflect in the problems in forming an effective amphibious force for the Suez landings. The book, which contains much that is new and original, should be essential reading for students of British naval policy and British defence policy as a whole.' - Eric Grove, Centre for Security Studies, University of Hull