Chapter III
Operations Requiring Coordination

  1. Types.
    1. Independent operations.

    2. Joint operations which are generally of two classes:

      1. Joint overseas expeditions.

      2. Coastal frontier defense.

  2. Tasks of Army and Navy forces in joint operations.--The normal Army and Navy tasks enumerated below are to serve as guides in the planning and execution of operations in which Army and Navy forces jointly participate. This statement of tasks also indicates in which service authority for coordination should be vested for various forms of joint operations. When Army forces participating in joint operations move overland, tactical coordination of the Army and Navy forces will be exercised when the forces of the two services approach the objective to within supporting distance of each other.

  3. Joint overseas expeditions.
    1. Joint overseas expeditions include:

      1. Joint overseas movements.

      2. Landing attacks against shore objectives.

    2. Joint overseas movements.

      1. The normal Army tasks in joint overseas movements are:

        1. To provide and operate all vessels for the Army, except when naval opposition by the enemy is to be expected, in which case they are provided and operated by the Navy.

        2. To assemble the Army troops, together with their equipment and supplies, at designated ports of embarkation.

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        1. To provide and operate the Army ports of embarkation.

        2. To load transports, whether these are provided by the Army or the Navy, for the transportation of Army personnel, equipment, and supplies, subject to Navy approval as to stability of vessels.

        3. To load in readiness for operation such aircraft and armament as can be made available to assist the Navy during the movement at sea or in landing operations.

        4. To organize and operate shore installations used primarily for debarkation of Army personnel, equipment, and supplies.

      1. The normal Navy tasks in joint overseas movements are:

        1. To maintain sea lines of supply.

        2. When naval opposition by the enemy is to be expected--

          1. To procure, man, equip, and operate the vessels necessary to transport Army personnel, equipment, and supplies.

          2. To assemble the necessary transports at designated ports of embarkation at the times specified by the commanders of the ports of embarkation.

          3. To provide for security of transports at sea.

          4. To provide in outlying ports means for the embarkation, or debarkation, of Army troops, equipment and supplies, when such means cannot be provided ore obtained by the Army.

    1. Landing attacks against shore objectives.

      1. The normal Army tasks in landing attacks directed from the sea against shore objectives are:

        1. The deployment into boats used for landing, these boats being operated by the Navy.

        2. The delivery of rifle and machine-gun fire from landing boats, except from such machine guns as are parts of the naval equipment of the boats.

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        1. The deployment from the landing boats and the gaining of a foothold on shore.

        2. The organization of a beachhead.

        3. The organization and conduct of operations to extend the beachhead.

        4. The conduct of operations beyond the beachhead for the accomplishment of the mission.

      1. The normal Navy tasks in joint attacks directed from the sea against shore objectives are:

        1. Naval forces.

          1. To provide adequate reconnaissance.

          2. To provide the defense against enemy naval forces during landing operations.

          3. To provide, man, equip, and operate the small craft required for landing operations.

          4. To cover the landing by mine sweeping, gunfire, aircraft, and screening operations.

          5. To provide signal communications between ships and shore.

          6. To organize and operate the necessary sea lines of supply for forces on shore.

        2. Marine forces.--Marines organized as landing forces perform the same functions as above stated for the Army, whether operating with the Navy alone or in conjunction with the Army and Navy.

  1. Coastal frontier defense.

    1. Attacks against our coastal frontiers may be classified as follows:

      1. Major operations, i.e., those executed for the purpose of invasion; and

      2. Minor operations, i.e., raids against shipping or shore objectives.

    2. The general function of the Army in coastal frontier defense is to conduct military operations in direct defense of United States territory.

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    1. The specific functions of the Army in coastal frontier defense are:

      1. To provide and operate the mobile land and air forces required for the direct defense of the coast.

      2. To provide, maintain, and operate essential harbor defenses.

    2. In carrying out these functions, the Army will provide and operate or maintain--

      1. Guns on land, both fixed and mobile, with necessary searchlights and fire-control installations.

      2. Aircraft operating in support of harbor defenses; in general coastal frontier defense; in support of or in lieu of naval forces.

      3. A communication and intelligence system to include an aircraft warning service, among the elements of the land defense, with provision for the prompt exchange of information or instructions with the Navy.

      4. Controlled mines and their appurtenances, including the vessels necessary for their installation and maintenance.

      5. [»] A system of underwater listening posts.

      6. Beach defense, together with vessels necessary for its installation, maintenance, and patrol.

      7. Fixed underwater obstructions in connection with controlled mine barrages.

      8. Additional mobile forces required in accordance with the situation.

    3. The general function of the Navy in coastal frontier defense is to conduct naval operations to gain and maintain command of vital sea areas and to protect the sea lanes vital to the United States, thereby contributing to the defense of the coastal frontiers.

    4. The specific functions of the Navy in coastal frontier defense are:

      1. To control and protect shipping in the coastal zones.

      2. To conduct naval operations directed toward the defeat of any enemy force in the vicinity of the coast.

      3. To support the Army in repelling attacks on coastal objectives.

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    1. In carrying out these functions the Navy will:

      1. Provide and operate--

        1. A system of offshore scouting and patrol to give timely warning of an attack, and, in addition, forces to operate against enemy forces in the vicinity of the coast.

        2. A communication and intelligence system among the elements of the sea defense, with provisions for the prompt exchange of information or instructions with the Army.

        3. Contact mines, nets, and booms, including the vessels necessary for their installation and maintenance.

        4. Inshore patrols for the protection of mine fields and underwater obstructions other than beach defenses; for the control and protection of shipping in passage through defensive sea areas; for the control of shipping in defensive coastal areas, and for the prevention of enemy mining and submarine operations.

        5. [»] Underwater listening posts for naval use where this service cannot be obtained from Army listening posts.

        6. Through the Lighthouse Service, when turned over to the Navy, coastal lights, buoys, and aids to navigation, and to change them as necessary.

        7. An information system through the Coast Guard stations when turned over to the Navy, and through lighthouses and light vessels.

        8. Necessary mine-sweeping vessels.

      2. Provide and maintain such fixed underwater obstructions as are component parts of Navy barrages; including the vessels necessary for their installation and maintenance.

      3. Operate gates through nets.

      4. Conduct shipping through channels in mine fields or obstructions.

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