ABSTRACT
Naval Gunfire Shore Support Ship-based gunfire against land targets has existed since ships mounted guns; for various technical reasons, however, it was generally ineffective. During the interwar period, the U.S. Marine Corps investigated amphibious warfare and in 1935 published its Tentative Manual fo r Landing Operations. This manual contains a chapter on naval gunfire support. It was the first formalization of the concept of naval shore bombardment in support of a landing force. The manual was tested during the annual fleet landing exercises held between 1935 and 1940. These exercises pointed out several key needs: a shell designed for shore bombardment; concentrated sustained force on the target; close integration of landing force movement and naval gunfire; and radio-equipped fire control parties with the landing force to direct the ships’ fire.
