Spanish Armada Battle Analysis

PLANNING AND TACTICS – FORCE MULTIPLIERS? (670 WORDS) The Spanish Armada could have succeeded, the plan was simple and could have been effective. The Spanish had the strongest army in Europe and the English defences were not exactly good. All the Spanish had to do was get to the Dundirk pick up the armies, take them to Kent, March to London and dismiss the Queen Elizabeth. This plan was very simple, but could have been deadly operation if it had worked.

The Spanish 3 Invasion Plan (Santa Cruz)
1. Massive invasion fleet of 510 ship, 55,000 infantry and 1,600 cavalry to London.
2. Put forward his commander, Duke of Parma in the Netherlands, surprise attack across the channel with 30,000 veterans transported on barges at night. The crossing

To tackle the armada in its home water inside the English Channel and to beat the Spanish by slipping behind them as the prevailing westerly winds blew them up to English Channel and then wait for strike.
2. English would also gain the advantage of the weather.
3. All ships with sails must sail with the wind. In sea battle, being up wind or to windward mean having the initiatives.

On 3rd June 1588, most of English ship arrive to Plymouth with 15 ships guarded the eastern approaches of the channel and kept an eye out for Parma Army. England also has upgraded the fire beacon system that supervising and would pass the news of the armada arrival along the English coast.

Based on the successful chasing battle toward Spanish Armada, the English has set one precedent for the Royal Navy operation for the basic squadron organization. Each commander is to lead his squadron (4 squadron divided with one commander) into action in single fire firing on his opponent, then turn away by allowing the next ship to fire following by next ship. This formation known as Howard’s single fie “line ahead” formation that been used in naval warfare for the next three centuries