Product Description

This major revision updates Wayne Hughes's 1986 landmark study that is credited with providing decision makers a sound foundation for battle planning and tactical thinking. The book integrates the historical evolution of tactics, analysis, and fleet operations, and today it can serve as a primer for anyone who wants to learn how navies fight and win. This second edition includes much new material on combat in the missile age and reflects the reconfiguration of many tactics for littoral operations after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Hughes recreates famous battles to show how tactics have changed through the ages and the ways in which they have remained unchanged. He covers tactical interaction between land and sea, the sensory revolution of WWII, secret weapons and maritime surprise, the role in battle of leadership and morale, and the importance of surface warships in today's U.S. fleet. He suggests that naval tactics, unlike ground combat, are dominated by the offense and concludes that the great tactical maxim must be attack effectively first.

A new chapter traces the evolution of missile tactics at sea and includes details of attacks on ships. Many changes emphasize joint operations and coastal combat. The already extensive appraisal of command and control and information warfare is further expanded to cover modern naval operations and the character of modern salvo warfare. In the tradition of Mahan and Clauswitz, this classic text incorporates literature, politics, and a knowledge of human nature. Indispensable reading for all those interested in naval tactics, it is also a valuable reference for wargamers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #465215 in Books
• Published on: 1999-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 378 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781557503923
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Customer Reviews

The tactical guide to naval combat
Covering the Age of Sail, WW1, WW2 and the Missile Age, Fleet Tactics and Coastal Combat examines the trends and constants of warfare in a comprehensive and concise book. Examining the need to mass fire power and the benefit of the first effective strike, this book provides a sound base for tactical though. Updated from Fleet Tactics, Fleet Tactics and Coastal Combat includes relevant information to the new arena that the navy will be finding its self in - littoral combat. Many examples and equations are given in this book to illustrate the points Captain Hughes makes. A must read for anyone who is interested in the evolution of naval combat.

Excellent Overview of Naval Strategy
Hughes brings the reader through successive eras of Naval Strategy, threading common themes about what has changed and what has remained constant, and how (and why) tactics on the water differ from those on land. His updated edition demonstrates the likely impact of advances in technology and shifting political realities on naval power, with implication on tactics, training, and equipment. The work is refreshing not only because contemporary works on naval strategy are relatively uncommon, but also because he lays out in easy to follow fashion the challenges that our navies will face. This is particularily important in an era of shrinking overseas land presence, as the Navy will be called upon to project power more frequently. His stark description of 'exchange ratios' and their implications serve an important reminder to the West of the perils of the fight. The book will comfortably take its spot on your bookshelf beside the numerous general, land, and air strategy books available. I only wish there was more written on this topic.

Excellent overview of contemporary and historic tactics
The dismanteling of the Soviet Union brought about a fundamental shift in how we analyze the role of a modern nuclear navy. Large fleet to fleet battles between technologically sophisticated opponents is still a remote possibility, however, surface group actions of the future will certainly resemble smaller more tactical battles as well. The idea of skirmishes and close-quarters combat between vessles must be understood. So to the more immense multi-unit combat possibilities.
This is the spectrum "Fleet Tactics" seeks to analyze. It does this remarkabley well. It also explores more intangible factors. Moral and leadership are terms often used but rarely integrated into a coherant strategy towards victory. It seems taken for granted, but the author shows how we must take nothing for granted when restructuring our tactical phillospohy. Re-examining age old ideas and historic battles is only one side of the coin. Here, we have a book that does this but holds up such notions for the purpose of building better tactical thinking.
I have read both the original edition and this newe, updated one... the changes are clear. We have a book that picks up where naval theory as of 1990 left off. While still managing to represent its original content with value towards the tactician in naval warfare.
Read this book is you are interested in more than just bland analyses of age old battles. Read it if you want to develope a strong understanding of how naval conflicts of almost every kind should be fought. Read it if you want to develope a sound understanding of the timeless tactical cornerstones in naval strategy.