Naval Tactics (Military Science)

Elephants Chasing Ants: Counter-piracy operations and the failure of strategy in the Gulf of Aden

by Andy Young

Draft Copy

Currently, there are over 30 Warships from more than 16 Nations undertaking counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of... more Currently, there are over 30 Warships from more than 16 Nations undertaking counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden (GoA). Yet, despite the disparity of force betwen these ultra-modern high tech vessels and the low-tech criminals, piracy remains a thriving business venture. Only by focussing on the root causes of piracy can the international community deal efectively with these maritime guerillas who are truly the 'enemies of all mankind'.

Early Egyptian Naval Warfare: Inshore Action off the Nile Delta (1179 BCE)

by David G Terrell

A land and sea battle occurred between Egypt and the “Sea Peoples” (Inhabitants of the ‘Lands of the Very Green Sea’)... more A land and sea battle occurred between Egypt and the “Sea Peoples” (Inhabitants of the ‘Lands of the Very Green Sea’) in 1174 BCE, early in the reign of Rameses III. Three years before, enemies, possibly from southern Asia Minor and the Aegean, had sent ships to aid the Libyans in war against Egypt. The battles of 1174 are described in texts and illustrations on the walls of Rameses' funerary temple at Medinet Habu. While intended to support political and religious ideology, the extensive sculptural reliefs and inscriptions do illuminate Egyptian warfare and may provide notionally accurate depictions of the battle. This paper will examine the sea battle and the naval tactics, weapons and organization exemplified there.