Amphibious warfare Daniel E. Barbey

troops , landing craft crews training @ hmas assault @ port stephens

on 8 january 1943 barbey assumed command of amphibious force, southwest pacific force. established headquarters aboard attack transport (apa) uss henry t. allen on brisbane river , set building small training command major amphibious force capable of carrying out strategy of supreme commander, southwest pacific area (swpa), general douglas macarthur, amphibious advance australia philippines. on 15 march 1943, stroke of admiral king s pen, southwest pacific force became seventh fleet , amphibious force became vii amphibious force. on meeting barbey first time, macarthur had 1 question: lucky officer?

the vii amphibious force inherited royal australian navy amphibious training center hmas assault @ port stephens, new south wales , combined training school @ bribie island , nearby toorbul point in queensland. there 1 apa, henry t. allen, in poor state of repair , trailed oil slick wherever went, precluding use in combat zone, vii amphibious force had 3 australian assault transports, known landing ships, infantry (lsi): hmas manoora, kanimbla , westralia. moment, valuable risk in forward areas. augmented flotilla each of new beaching craft, landing ships, tank (lst), landing craft, infantry (lci) , landing craft, tank (lct). there small number of high speed transports (apd). macarthur directed 2 navies use common doctrine, ftp 167. however, written assumption apds available , carry

beach parties. doctrine therefore required modification start.