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meters, complex currents, and is susceptible to typhoons during most of the year. The
Strait is relatively shallow, with a maximum depth of less than 40 fathoms, and marked
by shoals. There are very few suitable landing beaches on either of the island’s coasts;
the east coast is characterized by high cliffs and a steep ocean bottom gradient, while the
west coast is marked by wide areas of mud flats.
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This geography has serious implications for the conduct of naval operations.
First, the lack of suitable landing areas for beaching craft severely limits the conduct of a
traditional amphibious assault. Troops may be ferried ashore via helicopter or air-
dropped from fixed wing transports, but their heavy equipment must be carried in surface
craft. U.S. doctrine for conducting an amphibious assault stipulates that the assailant
possess a 5:1 advantage in troops over the defender, a ratio difficult for the PLA to
establish should Taiwan be forewarned. Table 2 addresses the factors necessary for a
successful amphibious assault on opposed territory.
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Table 2: Ingredients in Successful Amphibious Assault
Air Superiority
Superiority at
Pt of Attack
Reinforcement
at Pt of Attack
Surprise?
Successes
Okinawa, 1944
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Normandy,1944
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Inchon, 1950
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Falklands, 1982
No
Yes
No
Yes
Failures
Anzio,1943
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Gallipoli,1915
N/A
Yes
No
Yes
Bay of
Pigs,1961
No
Marginal
?
No
Possible
Attack
Convention