Amphibious Reconnaissance - Mission Role

Mission Role

Specific missions for amphibious reconnaissance patrols included:

• To determine characteristics of beaches available for landing, and report same to commander at sea.

1. By hydrographic reconnaissance of water near the shore line.
2. By examining terrain in immediate vicinity of beach.
3. By noting beach defenses, such as wire, mines, and other obstacles; troops in immediate vicinity; other defenses.

• To report landmarks for assisting in locating landing beaches.
• To mark beaches and landing points during landing.
• To determine location, strength, and composition of troops in landing area.
• To take and hold in concealment a prisoner or prisoners and be prepared to turn them over to Headquarters Landing Force.
• To spot observers to report enemy activity by radio or by panel.
• To determine road net and be prepared to meet and guide elements of landing force.
• To determine practicability of terrain for air landings.
• After the beachhead has been established, to contour the sea floor beginning at the ten foot line and using a two foot contour interval in order to expedite the unloading of supplies by locating most advantageous channels and beaches.

Also assigned were the following non-intelligence missions:

1. To create a diversion from proposed landing point.
2. Minor night attacks.
3. To assist a landing by executing light demolitions.
4. To disrupt enemy communications by wire cutting and jamming radios.
5. To set flares for naval gunfire at night, or to smoke a beach in order to screen a landing wave, or to otherwise mislead the enemy.