ABSTRACT
The primary purpose of river flotillas in combat is cooperation with ground forces in the interests of those ground forces. Independent actions of river flotillas against enemy river forces can only be an exception, and only for the purpose of securing a bridgehead for its own joint actions with ground forces. Even when fighting against ships of the enemy flotilla, it is necessary to rely on the shore and the assistance of forces operating on land. Such a close association of combat actions of river flotillas with those of ground forces obliges combined arms commanders to be familiar with the combat features of river flotillas.
