ETHIOPIA AND THE SOMALILANDS SECTION 22 COASTS AND LANDING BEACHES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 179
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 17, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: June 1, 1962
• Content Type: NIS

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JOB 85-00612. NIS 55
BOX a FWER 0_62
DESENSITIZED
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY
ETHIOPIA AND THE SOMALILANDS
CHAPTER II
SECTION 22
COASTS AND LANDING BEACHES
Section, 22 on, NIS 55 is issued under the NIS maintenance
program. It and NIS 106, Part IV supersede Section 21, Oceanog-
raphy, dated April 1950, and Section 22, Coasts and Landing Beaches,
dated March 1950, on NIS 55, copies of which should be destroyed.
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Washington, D. C.
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ETHIOPIA, ERITREA,
AND THE
SOMALILANDS
Ai NIS AREA BOUNDARY
0 100 200 300 400 Miles
oGondar
LAKE
TA N.1
ADDIS ABABA
? Berbera
\ZraHmAaRGEISA BRITISH
01-1Arar .NO oBurao
? SOM......ALILAND??
P I is:
?? --..?
,Erigavo
LAKE (NIS 56A)
RIYI)OLF
TANGANYIKA "???????.,
WARNING
This material contains information affecting the national defense of the United States
within the meaning of the espionage laws, Title 18, USC, Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission
or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
GROUP 1 Excluded from automatic downgrading and declassification
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NAVY - JUNE 1962 N I S 5 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR SECTION 22
CONFIDENTIAL
Page
A. General 22- 1
1. Summary 22- 1
2. Maps and charts 22- 4
3. Criteria for beach selection 22- 4
4. Major beach areas 22- 9
5. Minor beach areas and landing places 22-11
6. Reliability index 22-11
7. Glossary 22-12
B. Coastal oceanography 22-12
CONFIDENTIAL
1. Introduction 22-12
2. Tides and currents 22-12'
a. Tides 22-12
(1) Astronomic tides 22-12
(2) Meteorological tides 22-12
b. Currents 22-13
(1) General surface currents 22-13
(a) Red Sea 22-14
(b) Gulf of Aden 22-14
(c) Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea 22-14
(2) Subsurface currents 22-15
(3) Tidal currents 22-15
(4) Local currents 22-15
3. Sea and swell, and breakers and surf 22-16
a. Sea and swell 22-16
(1) Introduction 22-16
(2) Seasonal characteristics 22-17
(3) Red Sea and Bab el Mandeb 22-18
(4) Gulf of Aden 22-18
(5) Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea 22-20
b. Breakers and surf 22-21
(1) Introduction 22-21
(2) Criteria for wave and breaker computations 22-21
(3) Seasonal characteristics 22-22
(a) Red Sea and Gulf of Aden 22-22
(b) Indian Ocean Region 22-23
4. Bottom sediments 22-23
5. Marine biology 22-24
a. Dangerous marine life 22-24
(1) Introduction 22-24
(2) Venomous animals 22-24
(3) Nonvenomous animals 22-25
b. Bioluminescence 22-25
(1) Introduction ' 22-25
(2) Geographic distribution 22-25
c. Marine algae 22-26
(1) Introduction 22-26
(2) Geographic distribution 22-26
d. Seagrasses 22-26
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CONFIDENTIAL MILITARY GEOGRAPHY NAVY-JUNE 1962
PAGE 22-ii
Page
C. Selctor 1: Ethiopia (Eritrea) 22-26
1. I Coast 22-28
2. Landing beaches 22-35
D. Selctor 2: French Somaliland 22-39
1. I Coast 22-40
2. Landing beaches 22-44
E. Se tor 3: Somali Republic and Socotra and adjacent islands 22-44
1. Subsector 3-A: French Somaliland - Somali Republic
Capo Guardafui
a. Coast
p. Landing beaches
2. Subsector 3-B: Socotra and adjacent islands
4. Coast
)). Landing beaches
3. Subsector 3-C: Capo
. Coast
6. Landing beaches
border to
22-46
22-47
22-52
22-56
22-56
22-59
Guardafui to Somali Republic - Kenya border. 22-59
22-61
22-67
sources 22-73
F. Co/Inments on principal
1. Evaluation 22-73
4. Coastal oceanography 22-73
22-73
Coasts and landing beaches
22-74
2. List of sources
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Fig. 2-1 Table Summary of coasts and landing beaches 22- 5
Fig. 2-2 Diag. Generalized beach profile for tidal sea 22- 9
Fig. 2-3 Diags. Tidal curves 22-13
Fig. 2-4 Table Current speeds and directions at selected 22-15
locations in the Red Sea, together with
simultaneous observations of wind direc-
tions
Venomous marine animals 22-24
Major beach areas of Coastal Sector 1 22-36
Minor beach areas of Coastal Sector 1 22-38
Minor beach areas of Coastal Sector 2 22-44
Major beach areas of Coastal Subsector 3-A 22-52
Minor beach areas of Coastal Subsector 3-A 22-56
Major beach areas of Coastal Subsector 3-B 22-60
'Major beach areas of Coastal Subsector 3-C 22-68
Minor beach areas of Coastal Subsector 3-C 22-72
Sector 1, Segment [1]. Northern follows 22-75
coast of Ethiopia
Fig. 22 15 Aerial Sector 1, Segment [1] . Northern coast of do
Ethiopia near Mersa Mubarec
Fig. 22 16 Aerial Sector 1, Segment [1] . Coast of Ethiopia do
about 17 miles south of Mersa Mubarec
Fig. 22--5 Sketch
Fig. 2-6 Table
Fig. 2-7 Table
Fig. 2-8 Table
Fig. 2 9 Table
Fig. 22 10 Table
Fig. 22 11 Table
Fig. 22 12 Table
Fig. 22 13 Table
Fig. 22 14 Aerial
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CONFIDENTIAL
Follows page
Fig. 22-17 Aerial Sector 1, Segment [1]. Ethiopian coast in- 22-75
land from Ras Arb
Fig. 22-18A Aerial Sector 1, Segment [1]. Coast of Ethiopia do
at major beach area (1)
Fig. 22-18B Photo Sector 1, Segment [1]. Ethiopian coast do
at major beach area (2)
Fig. 22-19 Aerial Sector 1, Segment [2]. Isola Dahlac Che- do
bir off coast of Ethiopia
Fig. 22-20 Aerial Sector 1, Segment [2]. Southwestern part do
of the Isole Dahlac off coast of Ethiopia
Fig. 22-21 Aerial Sector 1, Segment [2]. Isola Sciumma off do
Ethiopian coast
Fig. 22-22 Aerial Sector 1, Segment [3]. Coast at Massaua, do
Ethiopia
Fig. 22-23 Aerial Sector 1, Segment [3]. Ethiopian coast do
south of Massaua at minor beach area 1
Fig. 22-24 Aerial Sector 1, Segment [3]. Central coast of do
Ethiopia near Baia d'Anfile
Fig. 22-25 Aerial Sector 1, Segment [4]. Ethiopian coast do
near Ras Sciaks
Fig. 22-26 Aerial Sector 1, Segment [4]. Coast of Ethiopia do
at major beach area (4)
Fig. 22-27 Aerial Sector 1, Segment [4]. Coast of Ethiopia do
at minor beach areas 3 and 4
Fig. 22-28A Aerial Sector 1, Segment [4]. Coast north of do
Assab, Ethiopia
Fig. 22-28B Aerial Sector 1, Segment [4]. Ethiopian coast at do
Assab
Fig. 22-29 Aerial Sector 2, Segment [1]. Coast near Ethio- do
pia - French Somaliland border
Fig. 22-30 Aerial Sector 2, Segment [1]. Northern coast of do
French Somaliland at Has Siyan
Fig. 22-31 Aerial Sector 2, Segment [2]. Tadjoura, French do
Somaliland
Fig. 22-32 Aerial Sector 2, Segment [2]. French Somaliland do
coast near head of Golfe de Tadjoura.
Minor beach area 1
Fig. 22-33 Aerial Sector 2, Segment [2]. French Somaliland do
at Djibouti showing minor beach area 8
Fig. 22-34 Aerial Subsector 3-A, Segment [1]. Coast near do
French Somaliland - Somali Republic
border
Fig. 22-35 Aerial Subsector 3-A, Segment [1] Northern do
coast of Somalia at Zeila
Fig. 22-36 Aerial Subsector 3-A, Segment [1]. Vicinity of do
Berbera, Somali Republic. Major beach
area (5) and minor beach area 9
Fig. 22-37 Aerial Subsector 3-A, Segment [1]. Coast of do
Somalia in vicinity of Has Walhun. Ma-
jor beach area (6)
Fig. 22-38 Aerial Subsector 3-A, Segment [1]. Somalia do
coast southwest of Ras Sudda. Major
beach area ('7)
Fig. 22-39 Aerial Subsector 3-A, Segment [1]. Somalia do
coast east of Berbera
Fig. 22-40A Aerial Subsector 3-A, Segment [2] Coast of do
Somalia at village of Heis
CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL
Fig. 22-40B
Fig. 22-41
Fig. 22-42
Aerial
Aerial
Aerial
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY NAVY-JUNE 1962
Follows page
Subsector 3-A, Segment [3]. Bender Cos- 22-75
sim, Somali Republic. Minor beach area
12
Subsector 3-A, Segment [3]. Somalia do
coast at Ras Bur Gaban
Subsector 3-A, Segment [3]. Coast of do
Somalia near Ras Filuch
Fig. 22-43
Aerial
Subsector 3-A, Segment [3]. Alula, So-
mali Republic. Minor beach area 13
do
Fig, 22-44
Aerial
Subsector 3-B, North coast of Socotra in
vicinity of Ra's Kadarma. Major beach
area (12)
do
Fig. 22-45
Photo
Subsector 3-B. Northwest coast of Socotra
do
Fig. 22-46
Aerial
Subsector 3-B. South coast of Socotra
do
Fig. 22-47
Aerial
Subsector 3-B. Socotra
do
Fig. 22-48
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [1]. Eastern
coast of Somalia south of Ras Shenaghef
do
Fig. 2---49
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [1]. Somalia
coast in vicinity of Ras Binnah. Major
beach areas (15) and (16)
do
Fig. 2-50
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [1]. Somalia
coast south of Ras Binnah. Major beach
areas (15) and (16)
do
Fig. 2
-51
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [1]. Coast of
do
Somalia at Baia di Hafun Settentxionale
Fig. 2
-52
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [1]. Dante, So -
mali Republic. Major beach area (17)
do
Fig. 2
-53
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [1]. Somalia
coast near Dante
do
Fig. 22-54
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [2]. Coast of
do
Somalia in the vicinity of Baia di Hafun
Meridionale
Fig. 22-55
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [2]. Somalia
coast in the vicinity of Ras Mabber ,
do
Fig. 22-56
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [2]. Somalia
coast in the vicinity of Ras el Cheil
do
Fig. 2
-57
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [3]. Coast of
do
Somalia at Itala. Major beach areas
(18), (19), and (20)
Fig. 22r-58
Aerial
Subsector 3--C, Segment [3]. Mogadiscio,
Somali Republic
do
Fig. 22-59A
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [3]. Somalia
coast southwest of Mogadiscio at minor
beach area 15
do
Fig. 22I-59B
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [3]. Somalia
coast at minor beach area 15
do
Fig. 22-60
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [3]. Coast of
do
Somalia at Merca. Minor beach area 16
Fig. 224-61
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [3]. Somalia
coast at major beach area (21) and one
landing place
do
Fig. 22-62A
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [3]. Brava, So-
mali Republic. Major beach area (21)
and two landing places
do
Fig. 22-62B
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [31. Somalia
do
PAGE 22-iv
coast in vicinity of Brava. Major beach
area (22) and one landing place
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N I S 5 5 CONFIDENTIAL
Follows page
Fig. 22-62C
Aerial
Subsector 3-C, Segment [3]. Chisimaio,
Somali Republic. Major beach area (23)
22-75
Fig. 22-63A
Chart
Tide ranges
do
Fig. 22-63B
Chart
Cotidal lines
do
Fig. 22-64A
Diag.
Bab el Mandeb, resultant currents
do
Fig. 22-64B
Chart
General surface currents, northeast mon-
soon
do
Fig. 22-64C
Chart
General surface currents, southwest mon-
soon
do
Fig. 22-65
Charts
State of sea, January through June
do
Fig. 22-66
Charts
State of sea, July through December
do
Fig. 22-67
Charts
Swell, January through June
do
Fig. 22-68
Charts
Swell, July through December
do
Fig. 22-69
Charts
Breakers
do
Fig. 22-70A
Chart
Distribution of bottom materials observa-
tions
do
Fig. 22-70B
Chart
Bottom sediments
do
Fig. 22-71
Map
Coastal Sector 1
do
Fig. 22-72
Map
Coastal Sectors 1 and 2, and Subsector 3-A
do
Fig. 22-73
Map
Coastal Subsectors 3-A, 3-B, and 3-C
do
Fig. 22-74
Map
Coastal Subsector 3-C
do
Fig. 22-75
Map
Coastal Subsector 3-C
do
Fig. 22-76
Map
Coastal divisions and distribution of major
beaches
do
CONFIDENTIAL
This Section was prepared for the NIS by the Office of
Naval Intelligence, with contributions on coastal oceanog-
raphy from the U.S. Hydrographic Office and on routes of
transportation from the Office of the Chief of Transportation,
Department of the Army. The material on landing beaches
was prepared under the general supervision of the Assistant
Chief of Stall for Intelligence, Headquarters, Department of
the Army, by the Office of the Chief of Engineers.
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NAVY ? JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
22. Coasts and Landing Beaches
The user can supplement the information in this Section by referring to Section 20
for a strategic appreciation of the Area's external geographic relationships and its inter-
nal geographic characteristics. Topical treatment of Weather and Climate is given in Sec-
tion 23; Topography, including Terrain, Vegetation, and Cross-country Movement, in Sec-
tion 24; and Urban Areas in Section 25. Integrated analysis of key military aspects of
these topical sections by regions is presented in Section 21.
A. General
1. Summary
The NIS 55 Area consists of about 3,055 miles*
of coastline and comprises Ethiopia (including
Eritrea**), French Somaliland, and the Somali Re-
public (FIGuRE 22-76). Socotra and the adjacent
islands,*** located off the "Horn of Africa," have
about 275 coastline miles. On the north, the main-
land coasts are fronted by the Red Sea and the Gulf
of Aden which are connected by a narrow strait, the
Bab el Mandeb. On the east, the mainland coasts
are fronted by the Arabian Sea and the Indian
Ocean. Socotra and the adjacent islands lie in
the westernmost part of the Arabian Sea.
The coastal zones of the NIS 55 Area are mostly
hot desert and semidesert regions, sparsely popu-
lated, and served only by the most meager net-
work of roads and tracks. A wide coastal plain
prevails in the southeastern part of the Area.
Elsewhere, the coastal plains are much narrower
and compartmentalized by ridges which extend to
the sea from a rugged hilly-to-mountainous hin-
terland. Numerous intermittent streams emanate
from these highlands and flow in entrenched
courses across the coastal plains.
The NIS 55 Area is bordered on the northwest
by Sudan (NIS 54) and on the south by Kenya
(NIS 56A). The adjacent coast of Sudan has
sandy shores, fronted in most places by reefs,
shoals, and islands. A low and sandy coastal
plain, as wide as 40 miles, backs the shores and
rises gently to barren rugged mountains. In
places, isolated hills rise abruptly from the coastal
plain.
In the text, distances are in statute miles unless
nautical miles are specifically indicated by "n.," as
in "14 n. miles."
Eritrea became federated with Ethiopia on 15 Sep-
tember 1952 and a province of Ethiopia on 15 Novem-
ber 1962.
Socotra and adjacent islands are treated in this
Section because of their proximity to the Somali Re-
public. They are politically a part of the Aden
Protectorate (NIS 32) .
CONFIDENTIAL
The adjacent coast of Kenya has mostly sandy
shores fringed by coral reefs and interrupted by
stretches of rocky cliff-bound shores. Many
islands, reefs, and rocks front the shores. A flat-
to-undulating coastal plain, mainly covered by
grass and brush, but partly cultivated, extends for
many miles inland behind the shore. A low ridge
rises from the plain, roughly paralleling the shore
about 11 miles inland.
Based on political divisions, the Area is divided
into three sectors as follows:
Sector
Sector
Sector
1?Ethiopia (Eritrea) .
2?French Somaliland.
3?Somali Republic and Socotra and adja-
cent islands.
Twenty major beach areas, 16 minor beach
areas, and 31 landing places are in the NIS Area;
3 major beach areas and 3 landing places are on
Socotra and adjacent islands. Major beach areas,
the distribution of which is shown on FIGURE
22-76, range from 1 mile to 40 miles in length
and are widely scattered throughout the Area.
Minor beach areas are similarly distributed, as
shown in FIGURES 22-71 through 22-75, and range
from 400 yards to 1,720 yards in length. The
largest concentration of the major and minor
beach areas is along the eastern part of the north
coast (Subsector 3-A) and the southern part of
the east coast (Subsector 3-C).
Most of this NIS Area is unsuitable for large-
scale amphibious operations because of poor ap-
proaches, principally fringing coral reefs; cliffs,
bluffs, or steep hills and mountains close behind
the shore; and the general lack of roads. The
coastal areas most suitable for large-scale am-
phibious operations are near Massaua and Assab
in Ethiopia (Eritrea) (Sector 1), Djibouti in French
Somaliland (Sector 2), Berbera and Bender Cas-
sim on the north coast of the Somali Republic
(Subsector 3-A) , and at Itala and Mogadiscio on
the east coast of the Somali Republic (Subsector
3-C). These areas have been selected primarily
because they include several or all of the follow-
ing: generally unobstructed approaches; port facili-
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CONFIDENTIAL
ties; relatively lar
proximate roads, r
The Eritrean co
sandy shores back
or sand dunes whi
undulating coast
miles wide. Part
marsh or swamp w
barren but have
brush. Backing t
NI S 55 NAVY - JUNE 1962
ge plains behind beaches; and
ailroads, and air facilities.
St (Sector 1) has predominantly
d mostly by low sandy stretches
h in turn are backed by flat-to-
plains mostly about 5 to 15
of the shores are fringed by
ile the coastal plains are mostly
scattered clumps of grass or
e coastal plains is an extensive
partly brush- and tree-covered mountainous pla-
teau with elevations up to 10,000 feet. In places,
hilly-to-mountaino s spurs of the interior high-
lands reach to or ear the water's edge, compart-
mentalizing the co stal plains. Isolated hills and
mountains are als scattered over many parts of
the plains. The in erior plateau is deeply dissected
by numerous int rmittent streams which flow
across the plains n entrenched courses and, in
many places, terrrinate in swamps, marshes, or
porous sandy ares on the coastal plains. For
brevity, these inter ittent streams are referred to
as "wadies" in the beach tables appearing in this
SECTION 22.
French Somalila d (Sector 2) has mostly sandy
shores but there a e many rocky cuffed stretches
of shore as well as some 'muddy stretches border-
ing the Golfe de adjoura. Along most of the
Golfe de Tadjoura, narrow pocket plains back the
shore, in turn bac
and a mountain?
these highlands te
edge. Along the B
the shores are pri
sloping sandy co
ed and flanked by rugged hills
s plateau. In many places
minate in cliffs at the water's
b el Mandeb and Gulf of Aden,
arily backed by flat-to-gently
tal plains which extend as
much as 30 miles inland. Rugged hills and a
mountainous plate .0 back the coastal plains. The
coastal areas are Mostly barren, but clumps of
grass and brush
plains while the hi
The Somali Re
sandy shores, alth
of rock, pebble, or
low bluffs back m
re scattered over the coastal
hlands are partly wooded.
ublic (Sector 3) has mainly
ugh there are some stretches
mud. Rocky slopes, cliffs, or
st of the shores, and at the
headlands rise dir ctly from the water's ele.
The southwestern shores of the Somali Repub ic
(south of approximately 8?N.) are backed by a flat-
to-undulating coastal plain that extends over 100
miles inland. In t e remainder of the SomaliFte-
public, the shores tr e backed by plains that are
mostly 5 to 25 mils
s wide and sporadically inter-
rupted by isolate hills and mountains. The
plains are separated by hilly-to-mountainous spurs
and ridges that ext nd to the sea from highly dis-
sected rugged hills nd mountains which back the
plains. Most of th Somali Republic coast is bar-
ren with scattered lumps of grass or brush, but
PAGE 22-2
there are prominent areas of grass, pasture, and
cultivation in the southern part of the country.
This southern part is drained by the only peren-
nial rivers in the entire NIS Area. The remainder
of the country is dissected by numerous intermit-
tent streams. These streams flow in entrenched
courses across the coastal plains, and many of
them terminate in the sands before they reach
the sea.
The principal off-lying islands are the Isole Dah-
lac (Sector 1) , a dense cluster of islands and islets
in the Red Sea, and Socotra and adjacent islands
(Subsector 3-B) in the Arabian Sea. The numer-
ous islands and islets of the Isole Dahlac are prin-
cipally low, composed of sand and coral outcrop-
pings, and have mostly sandy shores with fring-
ing coral reefs. Socotra and the adjacent islands
are mainly hilly and mountainous, and although
Socotra has many stretches of sandy shores, the
other islands are chiefly bordered by rocky shores.
In many places throughout the Area, movement
inland from the shores is difficult because of steep
bluffs and cliffs. Cross-country movement over
broad areas of the coastal plains is good; however,
isolated hills and mountains, sand dunes, and
sandhills are local obstacles to movement in places
but they can generally be bypassed. Vehicular
movement on the plains is impeded in many places
by the steep sides of entrenched intermittent
streams. During rainy periods, many of the
streams on the coastal plains flood and inundate
broad areas. There are also many areas of sandy
clay along the coastal plains which become very
slippery during rainy periods, presenting a traffic-
ability problem for wheeled vehicles. The Tugged
hills, mountains, and plateaus which back and
flank the plains are formidable obstacles to move-
ment. Movement through these highlands is
mainly limited to stream valleys or to the skeletal
network of roads and tracks.
Within this NIS Area, the offshore approaches
are mostly clear although in Sectors 1 and 2 there
are several groups of off-lying islands, rocks, reefs,
and shoals. The principal group of offshore ob-
structions is the islands, islets, and reefs of the
Isole Dahlac which lie as much as 80 n. miles off
the mainland coast of Sector 1. The Isole Dahlac,
however, are separated from the mainland by a rel-
atively broad navigable channel; an additional but
more devious channel leads through the archipel-
ago. Throughout the Area, coral reefs fringe
most of the shores of both the mainland and
islands and constitute the principal nearshore en-
cumberance; however, there are also scattered
rocks, shoals, and islands encumbering parts of
the nearshore approaches, especially in the south-
ern part of the Area.
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NAVY-JUNE 1962 MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
In this Section anchorages are classified either
as fleet anchorages or anchorages. A fleet anchor-
age is one that affords clear anchorage in an area
of 4 square miles or more in not less than 7 fathoms
and offers some protection from the weather. All
fleet anchorages are symbolized on the location
maps (FIGURES 22-71 through 22-76). The other
anchorages are those that fail to meet the size,
depth, or protection criteria for a fleet anchorage
and are not symbolized on the location maps.
There are four potential fleet anchorages, all lo-
cated off Eritrea (Sector 1). These fleet an-
chorages are off the mainland in Golfo di Zula
and Baia di Beilul, and on the western side of
Isola Dahlac Chebir, an island in the Isole Dahlac.
In addition to the potential fleet anchorages, there
are many smaller anchorages scattered through
the Area, but only a few offer any protection.
The ports in this Section are classified as prin-
cipal, secondary, and minor ports on a basis of
alongside berthing capacity and commercial and
strategic importance. Massaua in Ethiopia (Eri-
trea) and Djibouti in French Somaliland are prin-
cipal ports; Assab in Eritrea is a secondary port.
These ports are the only ports in the area that
have alongside accommodations for oceangoing
vessels.
Massaua handles about 90% of the waterborne
cargo for Eritrea and has highway connections
with the hinterland as well as a railroad leading
inland. Although Djibouti lacks good road con-
nections, it has a railroad leading inland to Addis
Ababa, making it the principal port for Ethiopia.
The secondary port of Assab is also very signifi-
cant as an outlet for Ethiopian trade, particularly
because it has good highway connections with
Addis Ababa.
In addition to the principal and secondary ports,
there are 15 minor ports with piers, which are
located principally along the Gulf of Aden and
the Indian Ocean. Also, a number of places, not
classified as ports and without piers, handle cargo
over the shores.
In general, the ports are the largest coastal cen-
ters of urban population, with Mogadiscio in the
Somali Republic being the most populous. Other
important coastal urban areas are: Massaua and
Assab, in Eritrea; Djibouti, in French Somaliland;
Berbera, Merca, Brava, and Chisimaio, all in the
Somali Republic. Also, there are widely scattered
villages and settlements, the population of which
are seasonally increased and decreased by semi-
nomads, the principal inhabitants on the coastal
plains.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
The transportation routes in this Section are
classified as surfaced roads, unsurf aced roads,
tracks, or trails. Surfaced roads have either bi-
tuminous, bituminous-treated, gravel, or earth and
gravel surfaces, 14 to 22 feet wide. Except for
spot flooding during rainy periods, the surfaced
roads may be regarded as being all-weather
routes. Unsurfaced roads are composed of earth
and are graded and drained, but in general are
trafficable only during dry weather. In places,
both the surfaced and unsurfaced roads may be
in a poor state of repair, particularly in the Somali
Republic. The remaining land routes are classi-
fied as tracks or trails. In general, tracks are dry-
weather routes that are wide enough for a small
truck to negotiate. Trails are routes which can be
used by pack animals and foot troops, but are gen-
erally unsuitable for wheeled or tracked vehicles.
Source data on the transportation routes were in-
complete in many places, and classification of the
routes may be subject to changes in localized
areas.
A skeletal network of roads, tracks, and trails
extends over the plains and only a few routes
lead into the interior. Vehicles can move cross-
country over the greater part of the coastal plains,
and the lack of roads and tracks on the plains is
not as great a handicap as it is in the hilly-to-
mountainous hinterland where off-road movement
is difficult to impossible. There are only six
places in the NIS Area where surfaced roads lead
any appreciable distance inland from the shores;
these are at Massaua and Assab in Eritrea, and
Berbera, Bender Beila, Obbia, and Mogadiscio in
the Somali Republic. However, only the roads
leading inland from Massaua, Assab, and Moga-
discio are bituminous or bituminous treated; the
others are gravel or gravel and earth.
There are only two railroads of importance in
the NIS Area, and both are narrow gage and single
tracked. The longest railroad is a 3'3%" meter-
gage line extending some 490 route miles from the
principal port of Djibouti, in French Somaliland,
to Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. The
other is a 3'1%"-gage line running some 190 route
miles from the principal port of Massaua to As-
mara and Agordat, serving most of the important
urban areas of Eritrea.
The Fiume Giuba, in the southern part of the
Somali Republic, is the only navigable river in
the NIS Area. There are seasonal variations in
the water level, but during the higher water pe-
riod of March or April through November, craft
drawing 3 feet can ply the river more than 300
miles upstream.
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
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CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5
Air facilities in t
ing to Vol. 18 of At
the World as follow,
is Section are classified accord-
fields and Seaplane StationS of
AIRFIELDS
CLASS LENGT* OF DELINEATED RUNWAY* (FEET)
1 .... 7,000 fee
6,000 to
5,000 to
4,000 to
2,000 to
import
nifica
lineat
or over
,999
,999
4,999
,999, or any usable potentially
nt airfield of intelligence sig-
ce over 2,000 feet without de-
d runways
SEAPLANE STATIONS
DESCRIPTION
shelter and complete facilities
shelter but limited or aban-
acilities
CLASS
6 .... Adequat
7 .... Adequat
doned
* Delineated i'ariway is a defined or marked
area on an a1rfleld prepared or selected for
landing and takeoff of aircraft.
Runway surfaces are symbolized on the location
maps as follows: ip?Permanent, T?Temporary,
and N?Natural. Air facilities not described in
the Airfield and Se plane Station publication are
referred to as "un lassified" and are not symbol-
ized on the location maps (FIGURES 22-71 through
22-75). The "unc assified" airfields or seaplane
stations are areas potentially available for the
landing of aircraft.
The only Class 1
there is also a Clas
classified facility f
Other airfields are
and on the highlan
important coastal
saua, Bender Cassi
addition to the air
the plains that are s
though loose sand
ardous in places.
ing areas on the p
hinterland.
ir facility is at Djibouti where
s 7 seaplane station, the only
r seaplanes in the NIS Area.
ell distributed on the plains
s in the interior with the most
ir facilities located at Mas-
, Alula, and Mogadiscio. In
elds, there are broad areas on
itable for helicopter landings,
nd rocks make landing haz-
here are also helicopter land-
ateaus and tablelands in the
A hot, dry mons
over the coastal
tremely hot the ye
or June through S
prevailing mean
tures of 85? F. to 1
coastal lowlands, m
or less but the inte
to more than 40 inc
While land and s
the general wind p
ture. Along the Re
from the southeast
onal type of climate prevails
eas. While the area is eX-
r around, the months of May
ptember are the hottest with
onthly maximum tempera-
0? F. Along most of the arid
n annual rainfall is 10 inches
ior highlands receive from 15
es of rainfall annually.
a breezes dominate at times,
tterns are monsoonal in na-
Sea coast, winds are mostly
and south during the period
of October through April, while winds from the
PAGE 22-4
NAVY?JUNE 1962
northwest quadrant prevail during June through
August. Along the Gulf of Aden coast, winds are
primarily from the east and northeast during the
period of October through April and from the
southwestern quadrant during June through Au-
gust. The Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea coasts
have winds mainly from the northeast and north
during November through March and predomi-
nantly from the southwest and south during June
through August. Throughout the Area, wind di-
rections are variable during the transitional pe-
riods between the monsoon seasons.
In the coastal areas, sporadic sandstorms and
the flash flooding of streams are significant results
of weather factors bearing on ground operations.
In many places the flooding of streams washes
out portions of nearby roads or tracks.
The sea approaches, beach areas, and coastal
terrain are summarized in tabular form in FIGURE
22-1, Summary of Coasts and Landing Beaches.
2. Maps and charts
The position of the coastal sectors and subsec-
tors, and the distribution of major beaches are
shown on FIGURE 22-76: Coastal Divisions and Dis-
tribution of Major Beaches. The delineation of the
coastal sectors, subsectors, and segments and the
location and orientation of major and minor
beach areas and landing places are shown on the
location maps (FIGURES 22-71 through 22-75),
produced from World Aeronautical Charts, scale
1:1,000,000. Only limited generalized hydrog-
raphy is shown on the location maps and should
not be used for navigational purposes. For com-
plete information on rocks and shoals, anchorages,
and dangers to navigation, the largest scale hydro-
graphic charts of the Area and the following pub-
lications should be consulted: USHO Pub. No. 61,
Sailing Directions for the Red Sea and the Gulf
of Aden, and USHO Pub. No. 60, Sailing Directions
for Southeast Coast of Africa. Reference should
also be made to appropriate NIS Sections and
Supplements.
3. Criteria for beach selection
This Maintenance Section reflects major
changes in the selection and description of the
landing beaches of Ethiopia (Eritrea) and the So-
malilands contained in SECTION 22 of NIS 55,
dated March 1950. The changes are based on re-
vised criteria for selecting landing beaches and in-
formation obtained subsequent to publication of
the original NIS Section, which has made possible
a more accurate selection and appraisal of sev-
eral beaches. In general, the beaches were se-
lected by analysis of hydrographic charts, topo-
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
CONFIDENTIAL
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NAVY?JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
FIGURE 22-1. SUMMARY OF COASTS AND LANDING BEACHES
(Map reference: FIGURE 22-76)
CONFIDENTIAL
SECTOR OR SUBSECTOR
SEA APPROACHES
BEACHES
COASTAL TERRAIN
1
Ethiopia (Eritrea)
Islands, rocks, and shoals en-
Sector contains 4 major beach
The mainland shores are predominantly
(18?02'N., 38?36'E.
cumber many parts of off-
areas, 6 minor beach areas
sandy and are backed mostly by low
to
shore approaches, particu-
and 9 landing places on the
sandy stretches or sand dunes.
12?42'N., 43?08'E.)
larly at the entrance to the
mainland. There are no
Coastal terrain consists of plains of
numerous large bays in-
beaches on the islands of
variable width backed by high moun-
denting the coast. The
the archipelago. Major
tains and plateaus. Isolated hills
principal nearshore obstruc-
beach areas range in length
and peaks rise from the plains and
don is a discontinuous fring-
from 1 to 334 miles.
back the shores in several places.
ing coral reef and in places
L.W. widths of major beach
Sparsely scattered grass and brush
there are sandbars, some of
areas range from 40 to 150
are the predominant vegetation cover
which dry. Potential fleet
yards; H.W. widths range
in this sector. The numerous islands
anchorages are located off
from 10 to 35 yards. Beach
and islets of the offshore archipelago
the mainland in Golfo di
gradients are predomi-
are principally low and sandy with
Zula and Baia di Beilul in
nantly gentle to mild in the
scattered coral outcroppings. Ob-
the central part of the sec-
L.W. to H.W. zone and
structions in the approaches to the
tor. There are two addi-
mostly steep in the II.W.
islands make them generally unsuit-
tional potential fleet an-
zone. Primary beach ma-
able for amphibious operations. Mas-
chorages on the western side
terial is sand. Exits mostly
saua is a principal port and Assab a
of Isola Dahlac Chebir, an
cross-country to tracks and
secondary port. A narrow-gage rail-
island in the offshore archi-
pelago of Isole Dahlac.
Nearshore bottom slopes
range from moderate to fiat.
Primary nearshore bottom
material is sand. During
the period October through
April, the expected average
occurrence of surf 4 feet or
higher ranges from infre-
quent up to 12% of the
time; it is infrequent in all
other months. Spring tides
of 3 feet occur in the north-
ern half of the sector and
diurnal tides of 23 feet oc-
cur in the southern half.
trails,
road runs westward into the interior
from Massaua. Two main surfaced
roads lead from Massaua and Assab
westward into the hinterland. There
is also one principal coastal track
traversing the length of the sector
from 1 to 133' miles inland. Else-
where, a scattered network of tracks
and trails leads inland from the shores.
There are only tracks and trails on
the larger inhabited islands of the
archipelago. Class 1 air facilities
are located at Asmara and Gura, a
Class 2 air facility at Massaua, a
Class 3 facility at Maacaca; there
are several unclassified facilities as
well.
CONFIDENTIAL
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
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CONFIDENTIAL
NIS 55
FIGURE 22-1 (Continued)
NAVY ? RINE 1962
SECTOR OR SUBSECTOR
SEA APPROACHES
BEACHES
COASTAL TERRAIN
2
French Somaliland
(12?42'N., 43?08'E.
to
1128'N., 43?16'E.)
PAGE 22-6
Offshore approaches to the
sector are relatively unob-
structed while nearshore ap-
proaches are principally ob-
structed by a fringing reef
extending throughout most
of the sector. Nearshore
bottom slopes range from
steep to flat. Primary near-
shore bottom material is
sand or sand mixed with
mud. The expected aver-
age occurrence of surf 4 feet
or higher is infrequent dur-
ing all months. Diurnal
tides range from 4 to 04
feet.
There are no major beach
areas; however, there are
2 minor beach areas and 7
landing places. Minor
beach areas are 750 and
780 yards long; H.W.
widths range from 15 to
50 yards, L.W. widths 50
to 500 yards. Beach ma-
terial is sand or sand mixed
with gravel. Exits cross-
country to tracks, trails, or
a surfaced road.
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
The shores of the northern part of the
sector are predominantly sandy; the
southern part consists of sandy or
muddy stretches interrupted by cliffs
and numerous intermittent streams.
The northern shores are backed
mostly by a low coastal plain covered
with scattered sand dunes and clumps
of grass and brush; the southern
shores are backed principally by
partly wooded and brush-covered
hills and mountains except at the
southern end of the sector where there
is a broadening coastal plain. On
the northern and southern parts of
the sector the coastal terrain consists
of desert plains of variable width
backed by hills and mountains; parts
of plains interrupted by isolated hills
and peaks. Elsewhere, there are
narrow broken stretches of sandy
plain. Djibouti is a principal port,
and there are minor ports at Obock
and Tadjoura. A single-track meter-
gage railroad runs from Djibouti to
Addis Ababa. Land transportation
is very poor and consists essentially
of scattered tracks and trails. One
main route, which starts out at Dji-
bouti as a hard-surfaced road, ex-
tends inland west-southwestward to
the Ethiopian border. One principal
coastal track serves the northern
plain while another main coastal
track extends along the coastal plain
south of Djibouti. Cross-country
movement across the northern and
southern coastal plain is relatively
unimpeded but movement inland
through the mountains backing the
plain is mostly impossible. There
are a Class 1 air facility and Class 7
seaplane station at Djibouti.
CONFIDENTIAL
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY?JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
FIGURE 22-1 (Continued)
SECTOR OR SUBSECTOR
SEA APPROACHES
BEACHES
COASTAL TERRAIN
3?A
French Somaliland ? So-
mali Republic border
to Capo Guardafui.
(11?28'N., 43?16'E.
to
11?50'N., 51?17'E.)
3?B
Socotra and adjacent is-
lands.
(12?45'N., 12?05'N.,
to
52?00'E., 54?35'E.)
CONFIDENTIAL
Islands, rocks, shoals, and
reefs encumber the offshore
approaches to the western-
most part of the subsector.
Nearshore approaches
partly encumbered with
scattered rocks, reefs,
shoals, islets, and sandbars.
Open anchorages are avail-
able off many parts of the
coast, but only those at
Zeila and Berbera have
some protection. Near-
shore bottom slopes range
from steep to flat. Near-
shore bottom material is
sand or sand mixed with
shells. The expected aver-
age occurrence of surf 4
feet or greater on beaches
ranges from 5% to 15% of
the time October through
April, infrequent to 4% in
May; it is infrequent in all
other months. Diurnal
tides of 5 feet occur.
Offshore approaches to Soco-
tra and its off-lying islands
generally clear; nearshore
approaches partly ob-
structed by reefs and rocks.
Nearshore bottom slopes
range from steep to mild.
Nearshore bottom material
consists of sand or sand
mixed with rocks, coral, and
mud. The expected aver-
age occurrence of surf 4 feet
or higher is infrequent dur-
ing all months on major
beach area (14). However,
the average occurrence of
surf 4 feet or higher on the
remaining beaches ranges
from 7% to 14% of the time
during October through
April; it is 4% in May and
infrequent during all other
months. Diurnal tides of
about 5M feet occur.
Subsector contains 7 major
beach areas, 6 minor beach
areas, and 7 landing places.
One major beach area is 40
miles long, but the others
range from 1M to 153
miles in length. Four beach
areas are separated or in-
terrupted by wadi mouths.
Where known L.W. widths
of major beaches range
from 50 to 110 yards. [LW.
widths range from 5 to 20
yards. Beach gradients in
the L.W. to [LW. zones
range from moderate to
gentle but are unknown on
one beach. Beach gradi-
ents in the H.W. zones are
steep. Primary beach ma-
terial is sand.. Exits mostly
cross-country to tracks.
Subsector contains 3 major
beach areas on Socotra; 1
landing place is on Socotra
and 2 are on 'Abd al Kum
Major beach areas range
from 1 to 17 miles in length.
L.W. widths range from 40
to 90 yards, II.W. widths 5
to 20 yards. Beach gradi-
ents are moderate to gentle
in the L.W. to H.W. zone
and steep in the H.W. zone.
Beach materials are sand
or sand mixed with gravel.
Exits cross-country to
tracks and trails.
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
The subsector is bordered mostly by
sandy shores separated and backed
by bluffs and cliffs, most of which
range from 12 to 25 feet in height.
Coastal terrain consists of series of
generally narrow arid plains separated
by spurs and ridges extending from
rugged hills and mountains that
comprise the hinterland. Plains in-
terspersed with detached hills and
mountains and intersected by many
intermittent streams. During rainy
periods streams on westernmost plain
flood and inundate broad areas.
Dominant vegetation is generally
widely scattered clump grass and
brush with some trees. Tracks and
unsurfaced roads closely ,parallel the
coast, and in several places surfaced
and unsurfaced roads and tracks
extend over the rugged hills and
mountains into the interior. Zeila,
Berbera, Bender Cassim, Candala,
and Alula are minor ports. Class 2
air facilities are at Bender Cassim
and Alula, and a Class 4 facility is at
Berbera.
The shores of Socotra are predominantly
sandy but interrupted in many
places by high marine cliffs. In
general, coastal terrain consists of a
northern and southern coastal plain,
separated inland by a deeply dis-
sected, mountainous plateau. The
plains and inland plateau are covered
with scattered brush and trees. The
shores of the off-lying islands are
predominantly rocky except for sandy
shores on the northern coast of 'Abd
al KtlrI; inland terrain is mostly
rocky and mountainous; the islands
are uninhabited. There are no ports,
urban areas, or roads on Socotra or
its off-lying islands. Routes of com-
munication on Socotra are limited to
a coastal track across the northern
side of the island with a branch route
extending to the western side. Else-
where, there are only trails. Cross-
country movement is impeded by the
mountains backing the narrow plains.
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CONFIDENTIAL N I S 55
FIGURE 22-1 (Continued)
NAVY?JUNE 1962
SECTOR OR SUBSECTOA
3?C
Capo Guardafui to Som4li
Republic ? Kenya bob-
der.
(11?50'N., 51?17'E.
to
1?40'S., 41?34'E.)
SEA APPROACHES
BEACHES
COASTAL TERRAIN
Offshore approaches generally
clear. Nearshore ap-
proaches partly obstructed
by reefs, shoals, rocks, and
islets; chain of reef-fringed
islands and islets extend
from Chisimaio to Kenya
border. Anchorages are
along the generally open
coast; only protected har-
bor is at Chisimaio. Near-
shore bottom slopes range
from moderate to flat. Near-
shore bottom material is
sand or sand mixed with
rock, shell, coral, or mud.
The expected average oc-
currence of surf 4 feet or ,
greater on beaches ranges
from 4% to 20% of the time
during November through
March, 9% to 47% April
and May, 12% to 76% June
through August, and 9% to
56% September and Octo-
ber. Spring tides range
from 534 to 9 feet.
Subsector contains 9 major
beach areas, 2 minor beach
areas, and 8 landing places.
One major beach area is 27
miles long but others range
from 13.1 to 8 miles in
length. A few beaches
have interruptions. L.W.
widths of major beach areas
range from 30 to 300 yards,
H.W. widths from 10 to 30
yards. Beach gradients in
L.W. to H.W. zone range
from steep to flat and in
H.W. zone are steep. Beach
material is sand. Exits
cross-country to tracks; sur-
faced and unsurfaced roads
lead inland from several
beach areas.
The subsector is bordered by sandy
shores, which alternate with rocky
stretches in the center of the sub-
sector and mud near the southwestern
end. Shores are in most places backed
and separated by escarpments, several
hundred feet in height in the north
and decreasing southward to eleva-
tions little above the general level
of the sea. Coastal terrain is mainly
a plateau 5 to 25 miles wide in the
northeast progressively declining in
elevation in the southwest where it
becomes a plain which extends in-
land 80 to 120 miles before elevations
of 1,000 feet are attained. Greater
part of the shore is closely backed by
long lines of sandhills and escarpment-
backed terraces. A low mountain
rises west of Obbia, and hills and
dune-covered areas of sand are in-
terspersed over the plain. Northern
end of subsector intersected by in-
termittent streams; two perennial
rivers, the only ones in the Area, in-
tersect the southern part of the plain.
Dominant vegetation on plain is
scattered clump grass and desert
brush that increases in density west-
ward; on the southern part of plain
it gives way to pastureland and areas
of cultivation. Tracks and unsur-
faced roads closely parallel the coast,
and in several places surfaced and
unsurfaced roads and tracks extend
into interior. The Fiume Giuba, one
of the perennial rivers, is navigable
for distances of about 300 miles.
Dante, Merca, Brava, Mogadiscio,
and Chisimaio are minor ports. A
Class 2 air facility is located at
Mogadiscio, and a Class 4 facility is
maintained at Chisimaio.
graphic maps, Sailing Directions, and recent pho-
tography.
In this Maintenance Section the landing beaches
are divided into tIMee categories: 1) major beach
areas, 2). minor beach areas, and 3) landing
places. Major beacli areas are numbered and
plotted on the location maps and described in de-
tial for the planning of amphibious operations at
elements of information considered to be essen-
tial for the plannin of amphibious operations at
strategic or high op rational levels. Minor beach
areas are also num ered, plotted on the location
maps, and describe in tabular form, but their
descriptions are brie . Landing places are neither
numbered nor described but are plotted on the lo-
cation maps.
PAGE 22-8
The landing beaches in this Section are classi-
fied primarily by length. In addition, all beaches
are accessible from the sea, fringe on coasts con-
sidered favorable for amphibious landings, and
have feasible exits. The length criteria are:
a) Major beach area . . . Total length 1 statute mile
or more.
b) Minor beach area . . . Total length 400 yards or
more but less than 1 stat-
ute mile.
c) Landing? places Total length less than 400
yards.
The beach areas considered best for amphibious
landings in this NIS Area are as follows: major
beach (2) in Sector 1; minor beach 8 in Sector 2;
major beac,h (5) and minor beach 12 in Subsector
3-A; part of major beach (2) in Subsector 3-B;
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
CONFIDENTIAL
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NAVY?JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
and major beaches (18) through (20) and minor
beach 15 in Subsector 3-C. The five landing
places of Assab in Sector 1, if considered a single
landing area, also offer good. landing possibilities.
4. Major beach areas
The location, approximate dimensions, slopes,
approaches, surf and tidal conditions, beach ma-
terial and firmness, coastal terrain, and exits for
each major beach area are tabulated at the end
of the coastal description of each sector or sub-
sector; brief textual summaries of beach charac-
teristics precede the tables. Explanations of
beach area numbering and column headings in
the tables, and definitions of terms used in the
tables and the text summaries follows. The Gen-
eralized Beach Profile Diagram for a Tidal Sea
(FIGURE 22-2) illustrates the significance of terms
used in the text and beach tables.
a. BEACH NUMBERS AND LOCATION ? Major
beach area numbers appear in parentheses, as
(1), in the text and tables, but are shown enclosed
in circles on the location maps (FIGURES 22-71
through 22-75) and on photographs. The ap-
proximate position and, where possible, the limits
of the usable part of each beach are shown on the
location maps. In the first column of the major
beach tables, each beach is located with reference
to a geographical feature and by geographical co-
ordinates to the nearest minute. Geographical
coordinates are given for both flanks of a beach 2
miles or more in length and for the center of a
beach less than 2 miles in length. The coordi-
nates given in the tables were taken from the lo-
cation maps. In the beach number and location
column are also listed references to photographs
which illustrate the beach area, and a reliability
evaluation of the 'source information used in pre-
paring the beach table.
b. LENGTH AND USABLE LENGTH ? The usable
length of a beach area is the total length minus
such unusable stretches as: 1) separations con-
sisting of breaks in beach continuity caused by
natural features such as wadi mouths which pre-
vent lateral movement along the beach without the
aid of special equipment, and 2) unusable sections
consisting of those parts of a beach which are
closely backed by salt water lagoons which make
exit from the beach infeasible. Interruptions are
considered to be partial obstructions such as wadi
mouths and piers that would impede but would not
block lateral movement along the beach. Beach
lengths are expressed in yards or statute miles.
C. WIDTHS Beach widths at high water and
low water are referred to in the text and tables.
Width at low water (L.W.) is the maximum
usable width of a beach that can be expected to
be dry during periods of low tide and slight wave
action. Width at high water (H.W.) is the mini-
mum width of a beach that can be expected to re-
main dry during periods of high tide under nor-
mal wind, wave, and tide conditions and is meas-
ured from the landward limit of normal wave ac-
tion (FiouRE 22-2). All beaches may be subject
to inundation under abnormal storm conditions
such as might exist when heavy gales occur. The
extreme landward limit reached by waves during
-rx? Offshore --pi-%
SEA APPROACH
N shoe
High water level
tide)
-
Low water (doium) level ? B? (low tide)
ApProx; 30-ft. o 0.m. depth
Foreshore
Average nearshore bottom slope = As
Lo
BEACH OR SHORE
Beach width at low water (maximum)
Zone of
normat wave
wash above
water love!
(variable)
Beach width at high water (minimum),?..-
(normally dry) or backshore
Berm crest
Berm
Limit of-nOrtn.a..1-we 'action (high water)
Beach gradient in H.W. zone
(influenced greatly by wave action)
water to high water beach gradient
a known depth (referred to datum) in nearshore zone
distance of known depth from datum shoreline
COASTAL
TERRAIN,--11=.
EXITS
Cliffs
Plain
riy(RF:ertrAtt.gr.:MS1.
? Extreme limit of . .
storm wave action
(infrequently reached)
FIGURE 22-2. GENERALIZED BEACH PROFILE DIAGRAM FOR TIDAL SEA. Zones used in estimating widths and gradient ratios
(vertical distance over horizontal distance) for beaches in tidal areas.
CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL N I S. 5 5 NAVY - JUNE 1962
these abnormal storms is an accepted landward
limit of a beach. Where wave action is slight, the
zone of normal wave wash becomes insignificant
and for all practical purposes the minimum width
of a beach bordering on a tidal sea would be
measured from the high water line to the extreme
? limit of storm wave action.
d. BEACH GRAPIENTS ? The beach gradients
given in the tables are expressed as a ratio of ver-
tical. rise to horizontal distance (FIGURE 22-2).
Two beach gradients are given: 1) the gradient
from low water to iigh water (L.W. to H.W.), the
part of a beach alt rnately covered and uncovered
by the rise and fall of the tide; and 2) the gradient
from the high wat r level to the landward limit of
normal wave actio (H.W. zone), a relatively nar-
row part of a beach subject to varying amounts of
inundation and Wave action. Both gradients
(L.W. to H.W. and H.W. zone) may vary consid-
erably from one lOcality to another a few yards
along the beach, from one day or week to the next,
or with the passage of a single storm. For these
reasons, even thosE
curate beach surve
ered to be approxiir
The following ter
gradient ratios based on ac-
information must be consid-
ations.
s describe the indicated gen-
eral ranges of beach gradients and nearshore bot-
tom slopes.
TERM GRADIENT RANGE
flat horizon61 to (but not including) 1 on 120
mild 1 on 126 to (but not including) 1 on 60
gentle 1 on 60 to (but not including) 1 on 30
moderate . . 1 on 30 to (but not including) 1 on 15
steep .... . 1 on 15 and steeper
For example, a gradient range of "1 on 30 to 1 on
15" is classed as In oderate, "1 on 40 to 1 on 15"
as gentle to moderic te; a single gradient value of
"1 on 16" is classed as moderate, but "1 on 15" as
steep.
C. APPROACH ? Characteristics and features
of the nearshore zone (generally shoreward of 30-
and 36-foot depths) re stressed in the tables under
this heading; howe er, important features in the
offshore zone (seaw rd of 30- and 36-foot depths)
such as obstructio s and anchorages are men-
tioned when it is apparent that they would affect
amphibious landings. All depths are referred to
chart datum planes which reflect depth conditions
during stages of loiv water. For more complete
information on the offshore and nearshore zone,
the Sailing Directions, and the most recent and
largest scale hydrographic charts of the Area
should be consulted.
The nearshore bottom slope, also referred to in
the "Approach" column of the major beach tables,
is an average gradient of the nearshore bottom,
PAGE 22-10
determined by the relationship between known
depths and their corresponding distances from the
low water shoreline. Because the nearshore bot-
tom slope represents a computed average gradient
which may vary considerably, it is best expressed
in comparative terms, such as steep, gentle, etc.
(FIGURE 22-2 and Subsection A, 4, d).
f. SURF AND TIDAL RANGE ? Experience has
demonstrated that loss of or crippling damage to
existing types of landing craft increases abruptly
and prohibitively as the average height of surf
reaches 4 feet. For this reason surf 4 feet or
greater in height has been given special empha-
sis in this Section. Operations through surf less
than 4 feet in height are considered feasible, and
the occurrence of such surf is not reported in the
beach tables. Surf 4 feet or greater in height oc-
curring less than a statistical total of 24 hours per
month is described as occurring infrequently.
The surf data in the beach tables were derived
from breaker and surf data sheets prepared by
the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office and the data
were modified by factors of short alinement and
exposure when applied to individual beaches.
Tidal information for the beach tables was de-
rived from the tidal range chart (FIGURE 22-63A)
compiled by the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office.
The ranges given in the beach tables are spring or
diurnal ranges interpolated to the nearest half
foot. Tidal ranges are given to the nearest one-
tenth of a foot only when a tide station is within
the limits of a selected beach.
g. MATERIAL AND FIRMNESS ? Beach material
for the NIS 55 Area is predominantly sand. To
indicate the trafficability of materials, beaches are
characterized as firm, soft, or loose. A firm beach
(in general, composed of a well-graded mixture of
particle sizes or of wet sand) is one that will sup-
port the weight of wheeled vehicles and will allow
initial movement without special equipment or
aids, provided the beach gradient is sufficiently
low for normal movement. ' A soft beach (in gen-
eral, composed of poorly graded sand, dry sand,
mud, or sand mixed with mud) may support vehi-
cles but because of poor traction, wheeled vehicles
will, in general, require the assistance of tracked
vehicles or mats for movement. A loose beach (in
general, composed of poorly graded materials such
as gravel or cobbles, i.e., materials with limited
size range and without fine material to fill the
voids) will support vehicles but provides poor
traction.
The trafficability of most beaches was deter-
mined by interpretation of ground photographs
and study of factual data contained in documents.
The trafficability of the remaining beaches was de-
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY-JUNE 1962 MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
termined by a study of the physical features and
conditions of the beach affecting firmness such as
the composition, exposure to wave attack, manner
of formation, deposition of materials, gradients,
and moisture content.
h. TERRAIN IMMEDIATELY BEHIND BEACH ? In-
formation under this heading describes terrain and
cultural features inland of the beach and stresses
those features which aid or impede movement in-
land from the beach proper. This description is
usually carried to the first major relief feature,
but in general, not farther than 15 to 20 miles
inland.
i. EXITS AND COMMUNICATIONS INLAND ? Under
this heading are listed the known or apparent
means of moving inland from the beach and
the proximity of roads, tracks, trails, railroads,
airfields, seaplane stations, and ports. For addi-
tional information on transportation facilities,
appropriate NIS Sections and Supplements should
be consulted.
5. Minor beach areas and landing places
a. MINOR BEACH AREAS ? The location, approxi-
mate length and width, beach composition, ap-
proaches, terrain, behind the beach, exits inland
and the reliability of the source of information
for minor beach areas are briefly summarized in
tables following the major beach table for each
Sector or Subsector.
The minor beach areas are indicated by num-
bers on location maps and photographs, and are
referred to by italicized numbers in the text, in
minor beach area tables, and in captions of the
photographs. In general, a line drawn to the
minor beach number from the shoreline on the
location map shows the approximate center of
the minor beach.
b. LANDING PLACES ? Landing places are
neither numbered? nor described but are shown
on the location maps and photographs by a sym-
bol consisting of a dot at the end of a line drawn
to the approximate center of the beach. A sum-
mary of landing places is also included in the tex-
tual summaries of landing beaches at the end of
each Sector or Subsector.
6. Reliability index
The reliability of information given in the in-
dividual beach tables of this Section is rated ac-
cording to a scale of four values: EXCELLENT,
GOOD, FAIR, and POOR. These ratings take into
consideration the quality, accuracy, and credi-
bility of source materials, and the amount of in-
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
terpretation required. Definitions of reliability
ratings are as follows:
EXCELLENT?Aerial photographs available at such
scales that features of the beach, adjacent terrain,
and hydrography can be accurately determined;
factual information from intelligence documents,
technical documents, geographic or travel literature
confirmed by aerial or ground photographs; accurate
maps and charts available at such scales that coastal
configuration, bottom characteristics, nearshore hy-
drography, obstructions to navigation in approaches,
and detailed topography behind the beaches can be
accurately determined; no factual conflicts.
GOOD?Aerial photographs available at such scales
that beach and terrain features can be determined
with little interpretation; ground photographs show-
ing a limited number of beach features and charac-
teristics; factual information from intelligence docu-
ments, technical documents, and geographic or travel
literature which may or may not be confirmed by
aerial or ground photographs; maps and charts avail-
able at such scales that coastal configuration is
clearly shown, but hydrographic and topographic
data may be incomplete; few or no factual conflicts.
FAIR?Aerial photographs available but at such
scales that beach features and characteristics can
be determined only with considerable interpretation;
no ground photographs available, or only a few which
show a limited amount of beach characteristics; little
factual data from intelligence documents, technical
documents, and geographic or travel literature that
may or may not be confirmed by photographs; maps
and charts available at such scales that coastal con-
figuration is clearly shown, but hydrographic and
topographic data may be inaccurate and incomplete;
data may occasionally conflict.
POOR?Aerial photographs poor or nonexistent;
meager information from intelligence and technical
documents or other literature; maps and charts
available only at such scales that coastal delineation
and hydrographic and topographic data are gener-
alized and incomplete; factual conflicts are common.
Some interpretation is necessary in all beach
descriptions. In the higher reliability ratings
(EXCELLENT and GOOD), interpretation is re-
sorted to only for minor features; however, in the
lower ratings (FAIR and POOR) , the facts are
often so meager that interpretation is necessary
even for some of the major features. Beach
lengths are usually determined accurately when
large-scale photographs, topographic maps, or hy-
drographic charts provide complete coverage.
Lengths are approximate when obtained from
small-scale charts and from poor or incomplete
photographic coverage. Beach width, material,
and gradient data are approximations under aver-
age wind and wave conditions determined mainly
by interpretation of photographs, maps, and
charts. Although not exact, this information is
believed to be sufficiently accurate for strategic
and high-level planning of amphibious operations.
Within this NIS Area the reliability evaluations
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CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5 NAVY - JUNE 1962
of all beach desCriptions vary from GOOD to
POOR.
7. Glossary
Generic terms relating to features of terrain
and hydrography, together with their English
equivalents, are listed as follows:
TERM MEANING
ba'b
bala
canale
capo
djeziret
flume
ghubbat, ghubbet, gubbet
golfo, gulfe
lie (s)
isola
isole
mersa
penisola
ras, ra's
uebi, uadi
strait
bay
channel
cape
islands
river
bay, gulf
gulf
island (s)
island
islands
bay, inlet
peninsula
cape, point, hill
wadi, stream
B. Coastal ocea ography
Coastal ocean? raphy covers the marine en-
vironment affect g nearshore and naval amphibi-
ous operations. B oadly speaking, this is the znne
where oceanographic conditions are modified by
bottom and land configurations or surface runoff.
The oceanography and marine climatology for the
open ocean adjacent to this Area are contained
in NIS 106-PART IlV (Indian Basin-IV).
I. Introduction
The coasts of Ethiopia and the Somalilands bor-
der some of the warmest water bodies in the
world, namely, the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian
Sea, and western Indian Ocean. Generally, deep
water (100 fathoms) lies close to shore, i.e., within
1 to 10 n. miles offshore. The coast of Socotra, is
bold, with moderitte depths (20 fathoms) near
shore.
The principal ciimatic control of this Area is
the Indian Ocean monsoonal regime, although
seasons vary from region to region. The Siberian
high controls the monsoonal flow during the
cooler months, wl-,ereas the Asian heat low con-
trols flow during the warmer months. Severest
sea conditions in the Red Sea occur during the
northeast monsoon; however, severest conditions
in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean region
occur during the southwest monsoon.
Prevailing curr nts also are governed by the
monsoonal flow, ith speeds ranging from 0.2 to
3 knots. Tidal cu rents may reach 7 knots, as off
Socotra.
PAGE 22-12
In this Area coral, sand, and shell are the domi-
nant bottom materials near shore, and mud and
mud-sand in the deeper parts.
Many species of potentially dangerous animals
inhabit the nearshore waters of this Area. These
include the scorpionfish, stingray, stinging jelly-
fish, shark, and barracuda.
2. Tides and currents
a. TIDES
(1) Astronomic tides ? Although the tidal
regime in the Red Sea is complex and not well
defined, the tide at Massaua is principally semidi-
urnal (FIGURE 22-3). In the central two-thirds
of the sea, the tide is controlled by an amphi-
dromic system (region of no perceptible tide)
which is centered somewhere along an. east - west
line between Port Sudan (19?37'N., 37?14'E.) and
Al Qunfudhah (19?08'N., 41?04'E.). In the ex-
treme southeastern part of the sea, the tide
seems to be maintained by energy from the Gulf
of Aden which enters the Red Sea through Bab
el Mandeb.
In the Gulf of Aden, two high waters and two
low waters occur daily, with considerable diurnal
inequality, principally in the low waters; see the
curve for Zeila, FIGURE 22-3. There are also con-
siderable diurnal inequalities during times of
equatorial declination when the semidiurnal ef-
fect should be greatest.
The tide along the east coast of the Somali Re-
public is also semidiurnal, with some inequality,
principally in heights of successive high waters,
as shown on the tidal curve for Brava, FIGURE
22-3. The range of the tide along this coast in-
creases southward from about 5 feet at Capo
Guardafui to more than 9 feet at the southern
limit of this NIS Area.
The tides around the island of Socotra
(12?30'N., 54?00'E.) are semidiurnal with consid-
erable inequality in heights of successive high
and successive low waters. High water occurs at
about 4 hours after lunar transit of the Green-
wich meridian. The mean tide range is about 3.6
feet, and the diurnal range is about 5.3 feet.
The areal distribution of tide ranges within
this Area is shown in FIGURE 22-63A. The tidal
progression or time of high water in hours after
the moon's transit of the Greenwich meridian is
shown in FIGURE 22-63B.
(2) Meteorological tides? Changes in
wind speed and direction and atmospheric pres-
sure also cause variations in sea level. In general,
onshore winds or a decrease in atmospheric pres-
sure will cause an increase in sea level, whereas
offshore winds or an increase in atmospheric pres-
sures will cause a lowering of sea level.
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY-JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
CONFIDENTIAL
MASSAUA (15?35'N, 39?29'E 17 DAYS
4
1
0
I
P
?
El
MHWS
I i
0 N
fl A
A A
nr
1
n
HEIGHT (FEET)
1
!, 1
[
u
J
U
u.
\"I-MLWN
v.
u
I
U UMSL
CHART
DATUM
w
_ MLW S ,?
?
In
ZEILA (11?21'N,
43?29'E)
HEIGHT (FEET)
0 I.s.. Oco
S
-T
?
A
E
T
0
f I
0 N
A
A
MA
I
A
MHHW
A
A
AWW1=1==M?MINIIIIIIAINE
IMM
.
1
MIJMIIIIA
III
1111
nil
MLHW
a mwrimmismam
_Mill
am
1
mummonsmuswimmemusio
SI-
=
mier.rimunalim.
I
I
i MHLVv
V
V
V
w
.
B
V
?
ML LW
CHART
DATUM
BRAVA (1 ?08'N, 44 02'E)
a
HEIGHT (FEET)
0
ol
I
S
I
P
?
en
(i)
I 1
ON
MHWS
1 r
I
A
MHWN
MSL
i 1
MLWN
v
1
U
J
MLWS
CHART
DATUM
LEGEND
? NEW MOON N MOON FARTHEST NORTH OF THE EQUATOR
0 LAST QUARTER S MOON FARTHEST SOUTH OF THE EQUATOR
@ VERNAL EQUINOX P MOON IN PERIGEE
E MOON ON THE EQUATOR
FIGURE 22-3. TIDAL CURVES
Higher evaporation rates in the summer cause
the level of the Red Sea to fall lower than during
winter.
b. CURRENTS
(1) General surface currents ? The sur-
face currents of this Area are primarily caused
by stresses exerted upon the water by monsoonal
winds. The time of establishment of the mon-
soon varies with latitude. The periods during
which the currents set in alternate directions do
CONFIDENTIAL
not correspond entirely with wind directions of
the two monsoons. In the Arabian Sea and In-
dian Ocean the current may change direction one
to two months earlier than the wind because of
the effect of a transient gradient current which
develops as a result of differential cooling of the
Arabian Sea by the northeast winds.
FIGURES 22-64B and 22-64C show prevailing
surface currents associated with the northeast
and southwest monsoons, respectively. For the
three main coastal alinements (Red Sea, Gulf of
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CONFIDENTIAL
Aden, and Indian
ration of the mo
the currents hay
N I S 5 5 NAVY - JUNE 1982
Ocean), the periods for the du-
goons and transition periods for
been derived on the basis of
similarity of direction of flow. Differences be-
tween wind direction and current direction, occur
most markedly along the eastern Somalia coast.
(a) RED SEA - The general circulation
in the southeastern part of the Red Sea is coun-
terclockwise during the year. The current set-
ting northward along the coast of Saudi Arabia
is more persistent during the southwest monsoon
(June through September) and the current set-
ting southeastward along the African coast is
more persistent iouring the northeast monsoon
(November thro h March). The average cur-
rent speed is ab
tions covering 23
greater than 1.2 k
Currents. whic
may be observed
seldom exceeds 1
direction may be
however, the c
during the transit
ut 0.5 knot. Of 6,000 observa-
ears, 11/2 percent showed speeds
ots.
set across the axis of the sea
uring any month, but the speed
knot. Variability of speed and
ncountered at any time of year;
rrents are extremely variable
on periods.
(b) GULFI OF ADEN - During the period
October through March the current sets gener-
ally between northwest and southwest over the
greater part of the gulf. The speed varies be-
tween 0.2 and 0.8 knot and increases to about 1
knot in the vicinity of Bab el Mandeb. The cur-
rent is generally weaker from November to Jan-
uary than from February to April.
During April
the currents in
about 0.2 to 0.5
occur on the Ara
During the pe
current sets east
d May, the spring transition,
he gulf have average speeds of
knot. The stronger currents
ian side of the gulf.
inod June through August, the
ward through Bab el Mandeb
into the Gulf of Aden, primarily along the Ara-
bian side of the gulf. Currents again are gener-
ally stronger on the Arabian side of the gulf than
in the middle or On the African side. A counter-
current sets around Capo Guardafui from the
south and flows estward along the African coast
as far as Djibouti.
During Septe ber, the autumn transition for
currents, speeds n the Gulf of Aden vary from
about 0.3 knot cn the African
close inshore on the Arabian side.
The variability of direction of
of Aden is shown below:
PERion
Nov.-Jan.
Feb.-Apr.
May-July
Aug.-Oct.
PAGE 22-14
side to 0.8 knot
flow in the Gulf
SET PERCENT OF TIME
WNW-WSW
WNW-WSW
ENE-ESE
ENE-ESE
44
34
43
35
(C) INDIAN OCEAN AND ARABIAN SEA - Dur-
ing the northeast monsoon the ocean current sets
toward the northern part of the eastern Somalia
coast. At about 10?N. the current divides and sets
north and south along the coast of Africa. Be-
tween Capo Guardafui and Socotra, the rate is
about 0.2 to 0.4 knot. From about 1?30'S. to
2?30'S., the southerly set meets a northerly cur-
rent, and the combined currents set offshore.
The strongest part of the sciuthwesterly setting
current near the coast is between 2?N. and 4?N.,
where the mean speed is about 1 to 1.4 knots from
November to January.
During the spring transition period for cur-
rents (March) between the Equator and 4?N., the
current sets west and northwest with a mean
speed of about 0.3 to 0.5 knot. From about 4?N.
to the southern limit of this NIS Area, the set is
southerly at speeds of about 0.8 knot. The main
part of the westward setting current passes south
of Socotra and divides when it reaches the coast
at about Ras Hafun (10?27'N., 51?24'E.). A part
of this current sets into the Gulf of Aden and the
Red Sea; the remainder sets south along the
African coast. The speed between Socotra and the
mainland is less than 1 knot. A branch of this
current sets into the Gulf of Aden, whereas the
remainder sets northward along the Arabian
coast.
Of the two monsoons, the southwest is stronger,
of longer duration, and more stable in the Ara-
bian Sea, causing the currents to be stronger and
more persistent. During the period April through
October the currents set northeast along the
Somalia coast at a rate of 1 to 3 knots. The cur-
rent passes through the channels between Capo
Guardafui and Socotra at speeds of 0.6 to 1.4 knots
and joins the easterly set from the Gulf of Aden.
The current speed off the eastern end of Socotra
is about 1 knot. From 3?S. to 4?N. the current is
generally weaker during August, but from 6?N.
to Capo Guardafui the strongest period is Au-
gust to October. Between 3?S. and 3?N. the cur-
rent speed is about 2.3 knots and the direction
about 56? true. It is weakest between Capo
Guardafui and Ras Hafun with a mean drift of
0.5 knot from May to July and 0.8 knot from Au-
gust to October.
During November, the autumn transition period
for currents, a clockwise eddy is centered at about
8?N., 55?E. In the southwestern part of this
area, the currents set southwestward south of
5?N.; north of 5?N. the current sets fairly stead-
ily northward along the African coast at speeds
which average slightly over 1 knot. The current
passes between Socotra and Capo Guardafui at
about 0.7 to 1 knot.
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NAVY-JUNE 1962 MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
Along the coast of Somalia, the strongest cur-
rents occur within 30 to 40 n. miles of the shore.
Speeds as high as 2.5 knots may be observed
within 60 n. miles of shore but are rare between
60 and 120 n. miles offshore.
(2) Subsurface currents - The subsurface
water movements within the Red Sea are influ-
enced by the wind regime and the excess of evapo-
ration over precipitation. No comprehensive syn-
optic measurements are available from which
subsurface water movements may be determined.
However, from theoretical considerations, the gen-
eral movements of subsurface waters may be de-
duced.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the effect of wind
parallel to a coast is to cause transport of sur-
face and subsurface water to the right of the
wind, and to a lesser extent in the direction of
the wind. In a narrow water body such as the
Red Sea, piling up of water will produce a com-
pensating bottom current flowing away from, the
coast. Thus, a north-northwest wind over the
Red Sea will pile up water against the west shore
and cause water movements which are a combina-
tion of a clockwise circulation in a vertical plane
perpendicular to the direction of the wind looking
downwind, and a flow parallel to the coasts which
is less pronounced in the subsurface than in the
surface layers. A south-southeast wind will pro-
duce the same phenomenon as above except that
the direction of transport will be reversed.
The controlling sill depth between the Red Sea
and Gulf of Aden is about 300 feet. During the
southwest monsoon a vertical view of water move-
ment shows a surface flow out of the Red Sea, an
intermediate compensating flow into the sea, and
a very small outflow of highly saline water along
the bottom. During the northwest monsoon, the
water flows into the Red Sea at the surface and
outward at depth. The depths of the intervening
transition layers are unknown.
FIGURE 22-4 lists current speeds and directions
and observed winds at selected locations and
depths within the Red Sea. FIGURE 22-64A shows
the resultant speeds of both tidal and nontidal
currents in the Bab el Mandeb at depths of 5, 50,
and 150 meters predominantly setting into the
Red Sea.
(3) Tidal currents - Tidal currents within
this Area are noticeable only as negative or posi-
tive accelerations of the nontidal flow. The pe-
riod of the tidal current (about 12 hours) and its
mean speed (about 1 knot) can be deduced from
FIGURE 22-64A. The figure also indicates that the
tidal current at 150 meters is almost completely
out of phase with that at 5 and 50 meters; i.e.,
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FiounE 22-4. CURRENT SPEEDS AND DIRECTIONS AT
SELECTED LOCATIONS AND DEPTHS IN THE
RED SEA, TOGETHER WITH SIMULTANEOUS
OBSERVATIONS OF WIND DIRECTIONS
LOCATION
(SEE FIG.
22-MB)
MONTH
DEPTH
SPEED
(KNOTS)
CURRENT
DIREC-
TION
,
kTRUE?)
WIND DIREC-
TION AND
STRENGTH
Max.
Mi' n
A
Jan.
5
1.0
0.5
33
SE Strong.
15
1.0
0.7
0
SE Strong.
40
1.0
0.7
0
SE Strong.
B
Jan.
5
0.6
0.4
35
SE Strong.
20
0.7
0.4
32
SE Strong.
40
0.9
0.1
22
SE Strong.
C
Nov.
5
0.6
0.4
34
SE Strong.
10
0.4
na
35
SE Strong.
25
0.6
na
na
SE Strong.
D
Dec.
5
0.8
0.3
33
S Moderate.
15
0.8
0.3
33
S Moderate.
30
0.7
0.1
33
S Moderate.
E
Apr.
5
0.3
0.2
14
E Light.
15
0.4
0.3
21
E Light.
30
0.1
0.1
5
E Light.
F
Dec.
5
1.4
0.4
34
NW Light.
15
1.4
0.4
34
NW Light.
35
1.2
0.4
34
NW Light.
40
1.0
0.7
33
NW Light.
na Data not available.
the velocity at the surface is at a maximum while
that at 150 meters is at a minimum.
(4) Local currents
(a) ETHIOPIA (ERITREA) - In the entrance
to Gubbet Mus Nefit (15?42'N., 40?00'E.) tidal cur-
rents attain speeds as high as 2 knots.
At times the current leading to Dubellu anchor-
age (15?44'N., 40?09'E.) and through the passages
east and west of Isola Erua attain considerable
speed.
(b) FRENCH SOMALILAND - The tidal Cur-
rent setting through the passes into Ghubbet
Kharab (11?30'N., 42?35'E.) causes whirls and rip-
ples; it attains a speed of 7 knots in Petite Passe.
Tidal currents in the bay at Djibouti are
scarcely perceptible; they generally set eastward
during the falling tide and westward during the
rising tide.
(c) SOMALI REPUBLIC - At springs the
tidal currents usually set westward through the
roadstead at Zeila (11?21'N., 43?29'E.) during the
rising tide and eastward during the falling tide at
speeds of about 0.5 knot. Along the coast off
Zeila a current which usually sets with the wind
attains speeds as high as 0.8 knots.
During the northeast monsoon, a countercur-
rent occasionally sets eastward along the coast
between Mait Island (11?12'N., 47?13'E.) and the
49?E. meridian at a speed which ranges between
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CONFIDENTIAL N I S
0.5 and 2.3 knots. Onshore currents with speeds
as great as 1.5 knits have been reported.
Tidal currents in the anchorage at Alula
(11?58'N., 5004510 are often strong, especially
during spring tide.
At Capo Guardlafui (11?49'N., 51?15'E.) when
the northeast monsoon is established, the current
usually sets southwestward at speeds not exceed-
ing 2 knots. At the change of the monsoons the
currents become quite variable. During the
southwest mons*, the current sets strongly
northward along I the coast south of the cape.
During February, March, and April the current
rounds the cape close to shore and sets westward.
A short distance from the shore, the currents
continue northward and east-northeastward.
In August the c rrent sets northward at Moga-
discio (2?04'N., 4$?22'E.) very nearly parallel to
the shore but with a slight onshore component at
speeds as high as 3 knots.
At Merca (1?43'N., 44?53'E.) tidal currents
cause positive and negative accelerations of the
monsoonal currents. The speed at times is as
much as 4 knots.
The current in the Brava roadstead (1?08'N.,
44?03'E.) attains speeds as high as 4 knots during
the southwest monsoon. During the northeast
monsoon the speed S may be greater.
At Isole Giuba (1?10'S., 42?10'E.) and Chisimaio
(0?22'S., 42?32'E.) the current sets southwest-
ward from about November to April at a speed of
about 2 knots.; it i strongest during January and
February. From about April to November, the set
is northeast at a Speed of about 3.5 knots.
The ingoing Current at Bircao (1?25'S.,
41?51'E.) has speeds of about 1.5 knots and the
outgoing about 2 knots. During the southwest
monsoon there is 4sua11y a heavy sea over the bar,
especially during titie outgoing current.
(d) SOCOTRA AND ADJACENT ISLANDS ?
Nontidal currents close inshore off Socotra are af-
fected by tidal Orrents to some extent but are
primarily influenc d by winds. During the north-
east monsoon, a northwesterly current of 2.5
knots has been ob erved in a position about 1 n.
mile offshore abou 3 n. miles south-southwest of
Da'iri (12?26'N., 54?11'E.).
During May t e current off 'Abd al KM
(12?12'N., 52?15'E.) has been observed to set east-
northeast at a sped of 1.5 knots with many tide
rips in shoal water. Through the passages be-
tween the islands west of Socotra, the tidal cur-
rents set northward during the rising tide and
southward during the falling tide. The speeds are
reported to be 1 tO 2.5 knots, but are likely to be
greater when the Monsoons are at their strongest.
PAGE 22-16
55 NAVY-JUNE 1962
The tidal currents are very irregular. They
sometimes set in one direction for 16 hours and
at other times for only 6 hours. During the ris-
ing tide, the tidal currents set westward on the
southern side of the island and eastward on the
northern side. During the falling tide the cur-
rents flow in the opposite direction. The rate of
the eastgoing current on the southern side of the
island is about 1 knot. In the general vicinity of
Socotra, the strongest currents observed any-
where in the Indian Ocean are encountered.
Many rates of 4.5 to 5 knots have been observed
with occasional reports of 6 and 7 knots.
3. Sea and swell, and breakers and surf
a. SEA AND SWELL
(1) Introduction,? Sea is defined as waves
caused by local winds, whereas swell refers to
wind-generated waves that have advanced beyond
the region of generation. The direction of sea
is that of the local wind, whereas the direction of
swell is independent of, but may coincide with, the
local wind. Both sea and swell may be present at
the same time.
Sea and swell vary locally with passing atmos-
pheric disturbances, such as tropical easterly
waves, tropical squall lines, invading cold fronts,
and tropical storms. As these disturbances sel-
dom remain very long in a particular region, their
effects on sea and swell are generally of short
duration, although often of consequence. In the
tropics, the land - sea breeze effect is very pro-
nounced and will influence the sea conditions
locally, but will not affect the persistent swell
which penetrates these locally derived waves.
The sea and swell roses presented in FIGURES
22-65 through 22-68 show the frequency of vari-
ous height categories by direction. Bar graphs
showing the frequency of various height cate-
gories for all directions are presented with each
rose. These roses and bar graphs are compiled
from monthly sea and swell data.
For purposes of discussion, the Area is divided
into three regions: the Red Sea region including
Bab el Mandeb (four sea and swell sections), the
Gulf of Aden (three sea and swell sections), and
the Indian Ocean region (six sea and swell sec-
tions). While the Area lies within the climatic
influence of the Indian Ocean monsoonal regime,
seasons, vary from region to region because of top-
ographic and latitudinal differences. The seasons
for the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden regions
are the northeast monsoon (October through
April), spring transition (May), southwest mon-
soon (June through August), and autumn transi-
tion (September); and for the Indian Ocean re-
gion the northeast monsoon (November through
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NAVY-JUNE 1962 MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
March), spring transition (April and May), south-
west monsoon (June through August), and au-
tumn transition (September and October). Be-
cause of insufficient data, the April and October
swell roses and bar graphs for the middle section
of the Gulf of Aden are omitted.
The northern exposures of Socotra are sub-
jected to sea and swell conditions similar to those
In the Gulf of Aden (easternmost section). So-
cotra's southern exposures have sea and swell
conditions resembling those of the Indian Ocean
region (section between 9?N. and 6N.).
(2) Seasonal characteristics ? The alter-
nation of the monsoons associated with the cli-
mate of the Indian Ocean is the chief control of
the sea and swell conditions of the nearshore
area. Although high pressure cells form over
northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula dur-
ing the cooler months of the Northern Hemi-
sphere, the intense Siberian high is the chief
source of the northeast monsoon as it flows from
Asia toward low pressure over southern Africa
and in the intertropical front now south of the
Equator. Between Capo Guardafui and the
Arabian coast, a small branch of this monsoon
diverges in a clockwise circulation around the high
pressure over Arabia, which becomes more east-
erly over the Gulf of Aden and southeasterly over
the southern Red Sea.
The southwest monsoon, which flows out of
the south Indian Ocean high toward Asia during
the warmer months of the Northern Hemisphere,
is controlled chiefly by the intense south Asian
heat low, although low pressure cells form over
northeaSt Africa and the Arabian Peninsula at
this time. However, a counterclockwise circula-
tion around the low pressure cell over Arabia,
which backs from northwest winds over the south-
ern Red Sea to westerly and southwesterly winds
over the Gulf of Aden, forms a minor branch of
the southwest monsoon.
The transitional seasons are generally periods of
weak and variable winds. However, because of the
large latitudinal extent of the Area, seasons vary
from region to region and with local conditions.
? The intertropical front, which migrates across
the Area during each transition season, has little
dynamic effect because of the divergent nature of
the winds and generally represents only the
boundary between Northern Hemisphere air and
Southern Hemisphere air during its rapid transit.
For this reason easterly atmospheric waves rarely
occur in this Area, whereas tropical squalls, gales,
and thunderstorms are generally related to the
thermal differential between land and sea.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Land and sea breezes are an important feature
throughout the Area and have such strength
that they may deviate the monsoonal winds; i.e.,
they may retard or neutralize them, but more fre-
quently they reinforce them. During weak anti-
cyclonic conditions the land and sea breezes are
the dominating winds.
Gales and squalls occur most frequently over
the southern Red Sea during the northeast mon-
soon. During this season an occasional gale with
cold front characteristics may enter the Area
from the Arabian high. In the Gulf of Aden, gales
and squalls occur most frequently during the
southwest monsoon. Although gales and squalls
occur during both monsoons over the Indian
Ocean region, they are much more frequent dur-
ing the southwest monsoon, especially over the
northern part. Thunderstorms occur infre-
quently in this moisture-deficient air, whereas no
cyclones have been observed in the Red Sea, and
only the effects of an occasional distant cyclone
are noted in the Gulf of Aden and along the coast
of the Indian Ocean region. (Three cyclones are
recorded as entering the Gulf of Aden since 1894.)
Seas 5 feet or lower (slight to moderate) are
the most frequent sea condition in the Red Sea;
seas are roughest during the northeast monsoon
except in the northern part. In the Gulf of
Aden, seas 5 feet or lower are the most common,
with roughest seas during the southwest mon-
soon. In the Indian Ocean region, seas less than
5 feet are also the most common sea condition
except along the northern part during the south-
west monsoon, when seas 5 feet or higher (rough
through high) are more frequent.
Low swell (1 to 6 feet) is the most frequent
swell condition during the northeast monsoon in
the Red Sea except in the section north of Bab el
Mandeb, where moderate swell (6 to 12 feet) is
most frequent. Periods of no swell are most fre-
quent during the southwest monsoon and the
transition seasons except in the northern section,
where low swell occurs most often from June
through September. In the Gulf of Aden, low
swell is generally most frequent during the north-
east monsoon, and no swell during the spring
transition. However, swell conditions vary from
no swell to moderate swell during the southwest
monsoon and from no swell to low swell during
the autumn transition. In the Indian Ocean re-
gion low swell is the most frequent during the
northeast monsoon except during December in
the north-central sections and during January in
the middle and south, when moderate swell occurs
most often. Moderate swell is most frequent dur-
ing the southwest monsoon except in the north-
ern sections during July, when high swell (higher
than 12 feet) occurs most frequently.
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CONFIDENTIAL
(3) Red Se
high mountains a
Sea on both sides
trols as well as th
monsoonal winds
over the southern
west monsoonal w
The prevailing no
Red Sea are an im
section even durin
N I S 5 5 NAVY - JUNE 1962
and Bab el Mandeb ?The
d plateaus bordering the Red
affect the major climatic con-
local weather. The northeast
re diverted to southeast winds
Red Sea, whereas the south-
nds arise as northwest winds.
thwest winds of the northern
portant factor in the northern
the northeast monsoon.
Sea breezes acc ntuate the prevailing winds
and seas mostly during the afternoon, whereas
night cooling of the land generally cause's a pe-
riod of calm winds and seas during the early
morning hours. Gales and squalls are most fre-
quent during the nOrtheast monsoon in the south-
ern sections, but the southwest monsoon is more
severe in the northern section. Gales associated
with easterly moving lows over northeast Africa
(frequently dust laden) may on occasion enter or
extend into the Red Sea region, whereas cold
front squalls may occasionally. penetrate from the
Arabian side. Thunderstorms (10 to 15 days per
year) occur most frequently during the south-
west monsoon. 04 the rare occasions when cy-
clones, enter the G lf of Aden, the effects may be
noted in the Bab el andeb.
Except in the n rthern section, where seas 5
feet or higher ar more frequent during the
southwest monsoo than' during the northeast
monsoon? sea and swell conditions are roughest
during the northe t monsoon.
(a) NORTHE
APRIL) ? While th
over Arabia, south
ST MONSOON (OCTOBER THROUGH
winter high pressure cell lies
ast winds, seas, and swell are
generally the most frequent wave conditions of
the region. In the northern section swell condi-
tions tend to vary from southeasterly to south.
Calm seas are least frequent during this season
except in the north. section. Seas 5 feet or higher
occur most frequenpy for the year except in the
northern section, Where frequencies range froin
2% to 14%. Farther southward annual maxi-
mum frequencies of 33%, 60%, and 41% occur.
No swell conditions occur least frequently for
the year during thiS season (16% to 33%). How-
ever, swell higher than 12 feet occurs most fre-
quently this season, having annual maximums
southward of o 7%.
(b) SPRING RANSITION (MAY) ? Winds are
generally mild and variable as the high pres-
sure dissipates and before the low pressure cell is
established. Northwest winds, seas, and swell pre-
dominate in the no hern section, while southeast
winds, seas, and swell are still most prevalent in
the south.
PAGE 22-18
Except in the northern section and Bab el Man-
deb, calm seas are more frequent (3% to 13%)
than during the northeast monsoon and about
equal to those of the southwest monsoon. Seas
5 feet or higher are generally less frequent (4%
to 15%) than during the northeast monsoon.
Periods of no swell .occur more frequently (44%
to 64%) than during the northeast monsoon,
whereas swell higher than 12 feet is considerably
less frequent (1%).
(C) SOUTHWEST MONSOON (JUNE THROUGH
AUGUST) ? In the cyclonic circulation around the
Arabian summer low, northwest winds, seas, and
swell form the chief wave direction of the region.
In Bab el Mandeb westerly swell occurs more fre-
quently than northwesterly during July and Au-
gust.
Calm seas are less frequent (4% to 15%) than
in the autumn transition but, except in the
northern section, more frequent than during the
northeast monsoon and the spring transition.
Seas 5 feet or higher occur with an annual maxi-
mum of 20% in the northern section and a sea-
sonal maximum of 15% in Bab el Mandeb during
July, but average only 4% or less in the other
'two sections throughout the season.
The occurrence of no swell ranges in frequency
from 27% to 69%, averaging more than during
the northeast monsoon. Swell 12 feet or higher
does not exceed 3%.
(d) AUTUMN TRANSITION (SEPTEMBER) ?
While the winter high pressure cell is gradually
replacing the summer low pressure cell over
Arabia, winds are generally mild and variable.
Northwest winds, seas, and swell continue to domi-
nate the northern sections, whereas southeast
winds, seas, and swell increase to a greater fre-
quency than those from the northwest in the Bab
el Mandeb.
Calm seas, except in the northern section, oc-
cur with annual maximum frequencies of 13% to
17%. Seas 5 feet or higher, except in the north-
ern section, occur with annual minimum frequen-
cies of 1% to 5%.
Periods of no swell are most frequent for the
year, except in the north section, having annual
maximums of 59% to 75%. Swell higher than
12 feet occurs with least annual frequency (less
than 0.5%) throughout the region.
(4) Gulf of Aden ? The high mountains
and plateaus that border the Gulf of Aden on the
north and south affect the major climatic fea-
tures as well as the local weather. The north-
east monsoon winds are diverted to a more east-
erly direction, especially over the head of the gulf.
Although the southwest monsoon is the season
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NAVY-JUNE 1962 MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
of severest winds and waves, in this region they
are milder than at the same latitude in the open
Indian Ocean.
Sea breezes in the afternoon and land breezes
before morning are characteristic during the
northeast monsoon and the transition seasons;
however, the strength of the southwest monsoon
is generally greater than the land ? sea breeze
effect. Gales and squalls are infrequent during
the northeast monsoon, but the winds of the
southwest monsoon are often of gale force. Dur-
ing periods of weak southwest monsoonal winds,
southward moving squalls with northerly winds
may arise suddenly over the sea. Although thun-
derstorms occur infrequently, their greatest oc-
currence is during the southwest monsoon. The
rare cyclone that enters the region is most dan-
gerous because of its unpredictability.
Seas less than 5 feet are the most frequent sea
condition in this region. Although seas are rough-
est during the pouthwest monsoon, they are also
rough in February when the northeast monsoon
is strongest. The most frequent swell condition
varies between no swell and low swell, but high
swell occurs most frequently during the south-
west monsoon,.
(a) NORTHEAST MOONSOON (OCTOBER
THROUGH APRIL) - East and northeast winds, seas,
and swell predominate throughout the season,
when the high pressure cell lies over Arabia.
Easterly winds and waves are most prevalent in
the western section, whereas northeasterly winds
and waves predominate in the middle and eastern
sections. Easterly winds and waves become more
frequent than those from the northeast in the
eastern section during March and April.
Calm seas decrease from the annual maximums
of the autumn transition to a monthly frequency
of 4% or less when the northeast monsoon is
strongest (about January) and then increase
again during March and April. However, seas 5
feet or higher increase to a seasonal maximum in
February of 21% in the west, to the annual maxi-
mum of 46% in the middle, and to a seasonal maxi-
mum of 12% in the east, and then decrease during
March and April.
The occurrence of no swell has a range of 15%
to 53% frequency and varies from month to
month in different sections. Swell higher than
12 feet occurs infrequently throughout the sea-
son, the highest being 8%.
(b) SPRING TRANSITION (MAY) - Winds
and waves are variable during this transition sea-
son. Easterly winds and seas are most prevalent
in the western and eastern sections, while west-
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
erly winds and seas are most prevalent in the
middle. Easterly swell predominates throughout
the region.
In the middle and eastern sections, calm seas
are more frequent in this season than during
either monsoon. Seas 5 feet or higher have a
frequency of 12%, 7%, and 4% from west to east,
reflecting the generally milder conditions of the
transition period.
Periods of no swell occur with annual maxi-
mum frequencies of 58%, 79%, and 52% from
west to east, whereas swell higher than 12 feet is
not observed.
(C) SOUTHWEST MONSOON (JUNE THROUGH
AUGUST) - When the low pressure cell is estab-
lished over Arabia, southwesterly winds, seas,
and swell are most prevalent in the region. West-
erly swell in the middle section, and westerly,
southerly, and southeasterly swell in the east at
times equal or surpass the frequency of the south-
west swell.
Calm seas have a greater average frequency
than during the northeast monsoon and occur
with seasonal minimums of 3% to 9% in July.
Seas equal to or greater than 5 feet are roughest
for the year in July with the annual maximum of
36% in the west, the seasonal maximum of 34% in
the middle, and the annual maximum of 26% in
the east.
For no swell conditions, July has the seasonal
minimum in the west, and the annual minimum
frequencies of 13% and 10% in the middle and
east, respectively. Swell 12 feet or higher occurs
throughout the season, ranging from 1% to 9%.
(d) AUTUMN TRANSITION (SEPTEMBER) ?
During this transition season winds and waves are
most variable for the region. East and northeast
winds and seas occur with equal frequency in the
western section, southwest winds and seas pre-
dominate in the middle section, while south and
southeast winds and seas occur with equal fre-
quency in the eastern section. Southerly swell
predominates in the west, westerly swell in the
middle section, and southeasterly swell in the
east.
Calm seas occur with annual maximum frequen-
cies of 16% to 27%. Seas 5 feet and higher oc-
cur with less frequency than during any other
season.
Periods of no swell (52%, 61%, 36% from west
to east) occur less frequently than during the
spring transition but are generally greater than
during either monsoon. Swell 12 feet or higher
occurs with a frequency of 3% in the west and
2% in the east.
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CONFIDENTIAL
NIS 55
(5) Indian pcean and Arabian Sea ? Al-
though this region lies in the Indian Ocean mon-
soonal regime, the land and sea breezes cause
diurnal variations hear the coast (extending about
15 n. miles from ,hore). The land breeze tends
to retard the prevailing wind at night, whereas
the sea breeze accelerates the prevailing wind
during the aftern on; sea breezes increase the
easterly direction I of the northeast monsoonal
winds and the sou herly component of the south-
west monsoonal wi ds. During the transition sea-
sons land and s a breezes are the prevailing
winds.
Gales and squal s occur during both monsoons
but most frequent y during the southwest mon-
soon, especially o the northern half of the re-
gion. Although tiunder may accompany the
squalls, thunderstorms do not occur frequently.
Cyclones almost never pass this far south of the
storm tracks.
Although seas a
west monsoon, hei
most frequent in t
whereas seas 5 fee
in the north. The
e roughest during the south-
hts less than 5 feet are the
e southern half of the region,
or higher are most frequent
most common swell conditions
vary from mostly low swell in October through
April (except for moderate swell during January
in the central anc southern sections) to mostly
moderate swell in May through September (and
high swell in the northern sections) .
(a) NOR HEAST MONSOON (NOVEMBER
THROUGH MARCH) As the northeast monsoon is
being established 4uring November between the
Siberian winter hi h and the low pressure of the
Intertropical front now south of the Equator,
northeast winds, s as, and swell become predoini-
nant over the northern and middle sections and
increase in the'southern sections, where south-
east winds, seas, ad swell predominate. During
the remaining m ths of the season northeast
winds, seas, and sw 11 are most prevalent through-
out the region.
Calm seas durin November, with frequenc es
ranging from 8% i the north to 1% in the south,
generally decrease in occurrence during midsea-
son and then incre se again in March. Seas equal
to or greater than 5 feet increase rapidly in fre-
quency to seasona maximums during December
or January of as niuch as 40% and then decrease
gradually during tlie remainder of the season.
While the occurrence of no swell (range of less
than 1% to 37% frequency) is variable from sec-
tion to section al ng the coast, it is always at
least 5% greater n March than in November.
Swell 12 feet or hi her varies in frequency from
less than 1% to 8*; it occurs least often in No-
vember and most ften in January, and is gen-
PAGE 22-20
NAVY-JUNE 1962
erally more frequent in the north and south than
in the middle.
(b) SPRING TRANSITION (APRIL AND MAY) ?
During April the northeast winds and seas de-
crease rapidly, especially in the south, and are re-
placed by east winds and seas in the northern
and middle sections, and by southeast winds and
seas in the south. Southeasterly swell predomi-
nates throughout the region during April. As
the southwest monsoon develops during May,
south winds and seas predominate in the north-
ernmost and southern sections; southwest winds
and seas predominate in the middle sections.
Southerly swell predominates throughout the re-
gion during May.
Calm seas generally decrease in April from the
north - south range of 14% to 2% to the north-
south range in May of 5% to 0%. Seas 5 feet or
higher increase sharply from April (1%-7%) to
May (6%-38%).
The occurrence of no swell decreases sharply
from April (8%-30%) to May (6%-19%). During
April swell higher than 12 feet is noted only in
the south with a frequency of less than 1%, but
occurs during May throughout the region with a
range of 1% to 9%.
(C) SOUTHWEST MONSOON (JUNE THROUGH
AUGUST) - During the full development of the
southwest monsoonal flow from the south Indian
Ocean high to the south Asian heat low, southerly
winds and seas generally predominate throughout
the region. Southwest winds and seas are more
prevalent in the central sections throughout most
of the season, and southeast winds and seas are
more prevalent in the southernmost section dur-
ing July and August. Southerly swell predomi-
nates throughout the region, but southwest swell
is more prevalent in the section between 9? and
6?N. at all times; southeast swell is more prevalent
south of 2?N. during June and July and south of
00 during August.
Calm seas are infrequent, occurring less than
1% of the time in most months. Seas equal to or
greater than 5 feet are generally severest during
July. The seasonal range of frequency is 18% to
40% in the southern half and 54% to 95% in the
northern half.
The occurrence of no swell is generally least for
the year, ranging 0% to 9% in June, 0% to 2%
in July, and 0% to 4% in August. Swell greater
than 12 feet during June occurs about 30% of the
time in the two northern sections and averages
10% in the middle and southern sections. During
July the frequency increases to about 48% in the
north to a 13% average in the middle and south.
August frequencies decrease to a 37% to 24%
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NAVY-JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
range in the north and a 5% to 8% range in the
middle and south.
(d) AUTUMN TRANSITION (SEPTEMBER AND
OCTOBER) ? Although the strength of the south-
west monsoonal winds gradually decreases during
this period, southerly winds and seas generally
predominate in the region during September and
over the northern half during October. Southeast
winds and seas, prevalent south of the Equator dur-
ing September, extend northward until they pre-
dominate over the southern half of the region dur-
ing October; northeast and east winds and seas
also increase during October. Southerly swell
continues in the northern half during Septem-
ber, but is only predominant in the northern-
most sections during October; southeasterly
swell is predominant over the southern half dur-
ing September and October. Northeast and east
swell also show an increase during October.
Calm seas, except for the 1% frequency in the
northernmost section, are not noted during Sep-
tember; however, during October they occur
with a range in frequency of 13% in the north,
to 1% in the south. Over the northern half, seas
5 feet or greater decrease from a frequency range
of 42% to 74% in September to 7% to 13% in
October; over the southern half, seas 5 feet or
higher decrease from a 9% to 17% frequency range
in September to a 5% frequency in October.
Periods of no swell increase in frequency from
a 0% to 6% range in September to a 5% to 31%
range in October. Swell 12 feet and higher de-
creases from 4% to 17% in September to 0% to
4% in October.
b. BREAKERS AND SURF
(1) Introduction ? This Subsection pre-
sents wave and breaker data for representative
coastal alinements. Terms used in this discus-
sion are defined as follows:
Waves?Sea, swell, or composites of the two, which-
ever describes the surface of the ocean.
Surf?The disturbed water in the area extending
from the outer breaker line to the limit of uprush
on a beach.
Breakers?Waves that break in shoaling water,
over a reef, or on a shore.
Although breakers overlap, they can be classi-
fied into three types:
Plunging breakers?Waves, the crests of which ad-
vance faster than the bases, falling forward on the
front face with a violent action.
Spilling breakers?Waves that become unstable and
form white water at the crest. Breaking action is
mild.
Surging breakers?Waves that surge up on the
beach as a wall of water with little or no breaking
action, and which may or may not include white
water.
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CONFIDENTIAL
Breakers less than 4 feet in height on landing
beaches are considered safe for all small landing
craft. Breakers 4 to 8 feet high will slow down
landing operations, permitting only the larger
craft to remain operational in the upper limit of
this range. Breakers more than 8 feet high will
generally stop landing operations for most types
of landing craft. Although hazards to landing
craft increase with increasing breaker height, the
difficulties depend also upon the period of the
waves, the type of breakers, and the direction of
breaker approach onto the beach.
Waves with long periods can peak up to greater
heights before instability and breaking take place.
On the other hand, long-period waves are easier
to navigate, as fewer breakers are encountered.
Plunging breakers are usually the most dan-
gerous because breaking action is generally very
severe; however, spilling breakers that exceed 8
feet in height can be equally hazardous.
Surging breakers, although generally mild in land-
ing operations, can be hazardous while the craft
is on the beach or retracting.
The width of the breaker zone also affects the
use of landing craft. Gently sloping nearshore
bottoms have a wide surf zone with many lines of
breakers. These nearshore zones usually have
several lines of irregular bars, with waves_ break-
ing on the outer bars, re-forming, and breaking
again on the inner bars. When breakers are
high, the length of time required to pass through
a wide surf zone imposes a severe strain upon the
landing craft and operating personnel. Retrac-
tion through such a surf zone is slow and difficult.
Bottom slopes are also important because land-
ing operations usually cannot be carried out ef-
ficiently where the slope is flatter than 1 on 50.
With steeper slopes, however, plunging breakers in-
crease in frequency. Slopes as steep as 1 on 8
can produce hazardous plunging breakers, even
where deepwater wave heights are as low as 2 feet.
(2) Criteria for wave and breaker compu-
tations?The influence of climatic wind systems
together with beach exposures are the main fac-
tors in defining coastal alinements. Other fac-
tors are bottom topography, the presence of is-
lands offshore, and barrier and fringing reefs ad-
jacent to oceanic depths.
For any particular coastal alinement only waves
from exposed directions are considered. The re-
maining directions are assumed to produce waves
3 feet or less in height. For purposes of compu-
tation a representative part of each alinement is
selected. The wave heights for each part are de-
rived for the waves just prior to refraction and
shoaling. However, a coastal alin.ement may be
subdivided into smaller units if either the exposure
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or the nearshore bottom slope of the larger
coastal alinement varies markedly. At the junc-
ture of two coastal alinements, breakers from one
alinement will mer e with those of the other and
can assume the characteristics of either or bath
alinements.
The breaker an lysis for the four seasons is
given in FIGURE 2-69. Twelve representative
coastal alinements provide coverage for this NIS
Area. A represent tive bottom slope of 1 on 50
has been used in the computations.
Each of the brea er roses shows the frequency,
by direction, of s ecified breaker-height ranges.
The bar graphs how cumulative frequencies
from all directions cf breakers less than 4 feet and
types of breakers 4 f et and higher.
Wave and breake conditions have been derived
from available win data for each of the four sea-
sons. Wave and bi eaker percentage frequencies
shown in the text d in the roses are for straight
beaches parallel to the bottom contours. Where
the contours are concave to the sea, actual
breaker heights wi I generally be lower, and for
contours convex to the sea, breaker heights will
be higher than for p rallel contours.
Refraction and s oaling factors have been con-
sidered for the repr sentative part of each coastal
alinement in derivi g breaker heights and char-
acteristics. The pr nciples outlined in H.O. Pub.
No. 234, Breakers nd Surf, Principles in Fore-
casting, were emplOyed in deriving breaker char-
acteristics.
On the northern Icoast of Socotra, breakers and
surf are generally imilar to those on the nearby
Gulf of Aden shore (Alinement 8). Breakers on
the southern coast of Socotra resemble those of
the Indian Ocean region (Alinement 10) for all
seasons except the northeast monsoon. During
this season, conditi ns are milder because the is-
land is sheltered from the predominant north-
easterly waves.
(3) Seasonal characteristics ? The chief
climatic controls cf breakers and surf in the
northeast monsoon are the high pressure area
over the interior of Asia (Siberian high) and the
low over southern Africa. The resulting winds
cause waves and br akers predominantly from the
easterly quadrant in this NIS Area.
In the southwestmonsoon the principal con-
trols are the /ow ov r northwestern India and the
high in the south Ii,dian Ocean. Wind circulating
about these pressure centers causes waves and
breakers generally from the northwesterly quad-
rant in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and gen-
erally from the south and southeast in the Indian
Ocean. The transitional seasons are short periods
NAVY - JUNE 1962
with waves and breakers of variable direction and
often of decreased heights.
On an average the frequency of moderate and
rough breakers (equal to or greater than 4 feet)
in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is greatest dur-
ing the northeast monsoon and least during the
southwest monsoon.
On Indian Ocean alinements the greatest fre-
quency of moderate and rough breakers occurs
during the southwest monsoon and the least fre-
quency during the northeast monsoon, principally
because of the oblique approach of the predomi-
nantly northeasterly waves during the latter sea-
son.
Spilling breakers are the predominant type on
most alinements in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
However, plunging breakers predominate on Aline-
ments 2 and 6 during most seasons, and on Aline-
ment 8 during the monsoons only. Plunging
breakers are predominant on Alinements 10, 11,
and 12 on the Indian Ocean (because of long fetch
and decay distances), but spilling breakers prevail
on partially shelteredAlinement 9.
(a) RED SEA AND GULF OF ADEN
1) Northeast Monsoon (October
Through April) ? During this season breaker-
producing waves are predominantly from the
southeast or east, on Alinements 1 through 6 and
from the northeast on Alinements 7 and 8. On an
average, breaker heights are at their annual maxi-
mum during this season.
The seasonal maximum of breakers 4 feet or
higher is 46% on Alinement 5 (because of its ex-
posure to a long easterly fetch), and the mini-
mum frequency is 9% on Alinement 4 (exposed
to short fetches only). The frequency of breakers
8 feet or higher ranges from a m Enimum of 1% or
less to a maximum of 12%.
Maximum breaker periods vary from 10 seconds
on Alinements 3 and 4 to 14 seconds on Aline-
ment 7.
2) Spring Transition (May) ? During
this season the South African low deteriorates
and is replaced by a high, and the Asiatic low
develops in northwestern India.
Breaker-producing waves show little change in
direction except in the north. Breaker heights
are considerably lower than during the north-
east monsoon. The maximum frequency of break-
ers equal to or greater than 4 feet is 19% on
Alinement 5, and the minimum frequency is 2% on
Alinement 4. The frequency of breakers 8 feet or
higher ranges from nil on Alinements 3 and 4 to a
maximum of 4% on Alinement 5.
Maximum breaker periods are 10 seconds on
Alinements 1, 3, 6, and 7, 11 seconds on Alinements
2 and 5, and 12 seconds on Alinements 4 and 8.
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NAVY-JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
3) Southwest Monsoon (June Through
August) ? This part of the Area is under the in-
fluence of the rather weak counterclockwise cir-
culation around the Arabian extension of the
Asiatic /ow. Hence, breakers are the result of
predominantly northwesterly or northerly waves
on most alinements, and westerly on Alinements
7 and 8. On an average, breaker heights reach
an annual minimum frequency in this season.
The seasonal maximum frequency of breakers
4 feet or higher is 6% on Alinement 2, and the
minimum frequency is 1% on Alinement 1. The
frequency of breakers 8 feet or higher is less
than 1% on all alinements in this region.
The maximum breaker periods range from 8
seconds on Alinement 7 to 12 seconds on Aline-
ment 4.
4) Autumn Transition (September)?
During this season the controlling pressure sys-
tems of summer (the south Indian Ocean high
and the Asiatic low) begin to weaken. However,
on most alinements predominant wave and
breaker directions deviate little from those of the
previous season.
Breaker-producing waves are predominantly
north or northwest on alinements in the Red Sea
but mostly northeast or east in the Gulf of Aden.
On the average, breaker heights are somewhat
greater than during the southwest monsoon.
The maximum frequency of breakers 4 feet or
higher is 8% on Alinement 5, and the minimum
frequency is 1% on Alinement 4. The frequency
of breakers 8 feet or higher is 1% or less on all
alinements.
Maximum breaker periods range from 9 sec-
onds on Alinement 1 to 12 seconds on Alinement 8.
(b) INDIAN OCEAN REGION
1) Northeast Monsoon (November
Through March) ? Breakers on all alinements
are the result of predominantly northeasterly
waves. However, the average frequency of break-
ers equal to or greater than 4 feet is at the an-
nual minimum because of their oblique approach
and consequent refraction on the African coast.
The maximum frequency of breakers 4 feet or
higher is 30% on Alinement 10, and the minimum
frequency is 16% on Alinement 11. The fre-
quency of breakers 8 feet or higher is at a maxi-
mum of 3% on Alinement 12 and 2% on Aline-
ments 9, 10, and 11.
Maximum breaker periods range from 13 sec-
onds on Alinement 9 to 18 seconds on Alinement
11.
2) Spring Transition (April and
May) ? Breaker heights are considerably in-
creased on the southern half of this coast because
CONFIDENTIAL
of strengthening of southerly and southeasterly
winds as the southwest monsoon develops.
The maximum frequency of breakers 4 feet or
higher is 48% on Alinement 12, and the minimum
frequency is 10% on Alinement 9. The frequency
of breakers 8 feet or higher ranges from a mini-
mum of 1% on Alinement 9 to a maximum of 15%
on Alinement 12.
Maximum breaker periods vary from 12 seconds
on Alinement 9 to 17 seconds on Alinement 11.
3) Southwest Monsoon (June Through
August) ? The monsoonal circulation is strongly
onshore during this season. Consequently, break-
ers (the results of predominantly southerly or
southeasterly waves) are on the average the
highest of the year.
The maximum frequency of breakers equal to or
greater than 4 feet is 77% on Alinement 12, and
the minim= frequency is 27% on Alinement 9,
which is partially sheltered from the predomi-
nantly southerly waves. The frequency of break-
ers 8 feet or higher ranges from a minimum of
2% on Alinement 9 to a maximum of 28% on
Alinement 12.
Maximum breaker periods vary from 17 sec-
onds on Alinement 11 to 19 seconds on Alinement
9.
4) Autumn Transition (September and
October) ? Breaker heights are lower, on the
average, than during the previous season. The
maximum frequency of breakers 4 feet or higher
is 56% on Alinement 12, and the minimum fre-
quency is 14% on Alinement 9. The frequency of
breakers 8 feet or higher varies from a minimum
of less than 1% on Alinement 9 to a maximum of
15% on Alinement 11.
Maximum breaker periods are 14 seconds on
Alinement 9 and 15 seconds on Alinements 10, 11,
and 12.
4. Bottom sediments
The distribution of the bottom materials in
this NIS Area is shown in FIGURE 22-70B. Coral,
sand, and shell are the dominant bottom mate-
rials near shore, and mud and mud-sand in the
deeper areas. The coral occurs as fringing reefs,
barrier reefs, or detritus. Most of the reefs have
sand and shell associated with them. Small
patches of mud and rock occur near shore, but be-
cause of the small scale of the chart they have
been combined with the other bottom materials.
From the northern boundary of the NIS Area
to just about 15?N. the bottom materials adjacent
to the coast are sand and coral. Farther offshore
mud-sand-coral is dominant. The Isole Dahlac are
formed by a large coral reef with many coral is-
lands. Sand and shell also are present.
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CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5
Southeast and e
of mud-sand-shell-
southern end of
predominate. Bab
sill covered by 90 t
the Red Sea and tin
st of the Isole Dahlac a region
oral covers the bottom. At the
the Red Sea sand-shell-coral
el Mandeb occupies a shallow
100 fathoms of water between
Gulf of Aden.
Sand-shell-coral form a nearshore fringe along
the shores of the Golfe de Tadjoura. Mud-sand-
shell-coral extend along the coast southeast of
the Golfe de Tady4ira to about 10?45'N. The re-
mainder of the coat in the NIS Area has a narrow
shelf with sand-shll-coral as the most probable
major bottom ma erials. In the Gulf of Aden,
mud occurs seawa
while along the I
mud-sand separate
the mud in deep
around the island
glen to the southw
few patches of cor
all the way to 'Abd
more extensive tha
ments chart.
The mud and m
mixture of terrigen
terials occurring in
ganic material is
carbonate which o
of tests of benthic
forarninifera, ptero
organisms with c
calcium carbonate
to 90% or as little
gravel portions of
green colors of the
result from the org
d of the sand-shell-coral zone,
dian Ocean coast a band of
the nearshore deposits from
ater. The nearshore region
f Socotra and the shallow re-
st are floored by sand with a
1 This sand region extends
1 Kari. Mud-sand is probably
is shown on the bottom sedi-
d-sand in the NIS Area is a
us inorganic and organic ma-
various proportions. The or-
acle up primarily of calcium
urs as coral and in the form
and pelagic animals, such as
ods, and various other marine
lcium carbonate tests. The
an make up as much as 80%
s 1% to 2% of the sand and
he sediment. The brown and
mud and mud-sand here may
ic matter.
FIGURE 22-70A sh ws the quantity of data avail-
able for each 30-minute quadrangle. The quantity
is adequate in the Red Sea part of the chart, and
the accuracy of t e bottom sediment chart for
this region is consi ered good to fair. The quan-
tity of data are spa se in the Gulf of Aden and in
the nearshore area long the Indian Ocean coast,
and the chart reli bility is fair to poor. Away
from the coast in t e Indian Ocean, data are al-
most completely lac ing, and the chart reliability
is poor.
5. Marine biology
a. DANGEROUS
RINE LIFE
(1) Introduc ion ? A number of poten-
tially dangerous an mals inhabit the marine wa-
ters of this NIS Ara. Some are provided with a
means of injectin venom into their? enemies,
some are capable, of inflicting severe biting
wounds, and one can deliver a powerful electric
shock. Venomous animals of these waters include
NAVY-JUNE 1962
certain fishes, jellyfishes, sea urchins, and cone
shells; the principal nonvenomous forms are
sharks, barracudas, moray eels, and electric rays.
Records of dangerous animals off Socotra are
rare, but its proximity to the African mainland
and the general distributional pattern of the
Arabian Sea fauna indicate that the same spe-
cies may be expected here as are found elsewhere
in this NIS Area.
(2) Venomous animals ? Among the most
dangerous of all venomous fishes are the scorpion-
fishes (Scorpaenidae), represented in these waters
by the stonefish (Synanceja) and the lionfish
(Pterois) (Fromm 22-5), ? as well as other less
virulent species. The stonefish is a sluggish, dull-
colored fish, difficult to detect as it lies motion-
less on the bottom among rocks or chunks of
coral. Human victims of its venomous dorsal
spines have succumbed within a few hours. In
contrast to the inconspicuous stonefish, the lion-
fish is brilliantly marked with orange and black
bars and possesses delicate fanlike fins. Wounds
from the dorsal spines result in severe throbbing
pain and occasionally in death.
Stingrays (Dasyatis) (FIGURE 22-5) are com-
mon in quiet shoal waters of this Area. These
kite-shaped fishes bear one or more serrate
venomous spines near the base of the long whip-
like tail. Their habit of burying in the soft bot-
tom makes them a menace to waders, who may re-
ceive painful and disabling wounds by stepping on
a hidden ray. The closely related eaglerays
(Aetobatus), also present in these waters, are sel-
dom encountered on the bottom and therefore
pose little threat to waders.
Marine catfishes (Plotosus, Tachysurus) (FIG-
URE 22-5) are armed with venomous dorsal and
pectoral spines, wounds from which result in im-
mediate stinging pain followed by local swelling
LIONFISH (PE(ROIS)
(3-6 Inches. maximum 12 Inches)
SIIINGRAV IDASYMIS)
(3-5 feet in wldth)
PORTUGUESE MAN-OF-WAR (PIVISALIA)
(Float 6-12 Inches. tentacles 10-50 feet)
MARINE CATFISH (PLOTOSUS)
(average 10 Inches, maximum 30 Inches)
FIGURE 22-5. VENOMOUS MARINE ANIMALS
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NAVY-JUNE 1962 MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
and numbness. These catfishes inhabit shoal wa-
ters, particularly in the vicinity of river mouths
and among seaweed beds.
Another fish to be avoided in these waters is the
rabbitfish (Siganus). The numerous venomous
spines of this fish can inflict stinging wounds
when specimens are handled carelessly.
Stinging jellyfishes may be encountered here,
especially after onshore winds have prevailed for
a considerable period of time. One of the most
dangerous marine stingers, the Portuguese man-
of-war (Ph-ysalia) (FIGURE 22-5) , is easily recog-
nized by the bladderlike float that appears to sail
upon the sea surface. Beneath this float trail nu-
merous long tentacles armed with batteries of
stinging cells. Contact of a human with the
tentacles results in violently painful stings, often
followed by stomach cramps, dizziness, and res-
piratory distress. Among the other jellyfishes re-
ported from this region is a sea wasp (Tamoya)
that is known to possess virulent stinging cells.
Members of the sea wasp family (Carybdeidae)
have been implicated in fatal stingings in Indo-
Pacific waters.
Spiny sea urchins inhabit reefs, creeping slowly
over rocky ledges and coral formations. Their
sharp venomous spines produce painful injuries
that are susceptible to infection.
Another dangerous reef-inhabiting invertebrate
is the cone shell (Conus), a marine snail capable of
inflicting a venomous puncture wound if han-
dled. In spite of its venomous nature, this beau-
tifully patterned mollusk is a favorite of shell col-
lectors. The textile cone (Conus textile), re-
ported from the Red Sea and the western Indian
Ocean, has been implicated in fatal poisonings in
the western tropical Pacific.
(3) Nonvenomous animals ? Large preda-
tory sharks reported from these waters include
the white shark, or maneater (Carcharodon),
tiger shark (Galeocerdo), mako (Isurus), ham-
merhead (Sphyrna) (FiGuRE 22-5) , sand shark
(Carcharias), and several gray sharks (Carcha-
rh,inus). Despite the presence of these dangerous
sharks, attacks on man are rare in this region.
Barracudas (Sphyraena) (FIGURE 22-5) in-
habit coastal waters of this NIS Area. Large
solitary individuals lurk about wharves, wrecks,
and submerged rocks or coral heads, ready to at-
tack unwary prey.
Moray eels (Gymnothorax) are common in reef
areas where they hide under rocky ledges and in
coral crevices. They grow to a length of 5 or 6
feet and are provided with numerous sharp teeth
set in powerful jaws.
CONFIDENTIAL
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Another potential hazard of tropical coastal wa-
ters is the electric ray (Torpedo). This bottom
dweller is able to generate a powerful electric
shock, one that may knock a man down.
b. BIOLUMINESCENCE (PHOSPHORESCENCE)
(1) Introduction ? Bioluminescence, the
production of light by living organisms, is impor-
tant in military operations because prominent dis-
plays at night may reveal shorelines, disclose ves-
sel operations by illuminating wakes of surface
craft and periscopes of submarines, reveal under-
water swimmers or personnel wading ashore, and
interfere with adaptation of personnel to the dark
and with general visibility.
Luminescent displays may be grouped into three
general categories: 1) Sheet-type, often appearing
as a diffuse glow extending over a large area of sea
surface; 2) spark-type, observed as innumerable
flickering points of light; and 3) globe-type, ap-
pearing as glowing balls of light. The organisms
causing these displays include various types of
protozoans, pelagic crustaceans, and jellyfishes,
respectively.
(2) Geographic distribution ? Large
patches of discolored water are seen frequently
along the Ethiopian coast, due usually to massive
accumulations of plankton. Although not all dis-
colored water results in bioluminescence, a large
percentage of discolored water in this region is
luminescent at night. This bioluminescence is
produced by concentrations of a miscroscopic dino-
flagellate, Noctiluca, and is usually exhibited as a
brilliant sheet type. Concentrations of this or-
ganism can develop during all seasons of the year.
Discolored water due to Noctiluca is prevalent
in the Isole Dahlac and near Massaua. Extremely
rich plankton populations are present all year be-
tween Isola Dahlac Chebir and Massaua. At times
during the winter and summer months the water
takes on the consistency of thick soup, owing to
the countless numbers of bioluminescent dino-
flagellates.
Bioluminescent displays have been reported
with great frequency in the southern Red Sea.
Numerous displays have been described as un-
dulating bands of light, rotating wheels of light
("phosphorescent wheels") , or milky seas. The
highest percentage of observed displays occurs
during the period July through October.
Strong bioluminescence is a common occurrence
during all seasons along the coast of French
Somaliland and inside the Golfe de Tadjoura.
Some very notable springtime displays are seen
regularly near Djibouti and Obock. Large plank-
ton blooms occur in the summer and extend
throughout the Bab el Mandeb. These blooms
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CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5 NAVY - JUNE 1962
generally consist of bioluminescent dinoflagel-
lates.
The Gulf of Adei is one of the most luminescent
regions in the orld. Maximum luminescence
takes place dun g August and September al-
though very brig t and colorful displays can be
observed during all seasons. In this region nu-
merous observatio s of "phosphorescent wheels"
occur annually, his unexplained phenomenon
gives off extremelr bright luminescence, at tines
capable of lightin up ships that are in the near
vicinity. In addit on, large stretches of lumines-
cent water, usuall caused by Noctiluca, are com-
monly seen withirt the Gulf of Aden: Masses of
jellyfishes are res nsible for some very string
globe-type display within the Gulf of Aden and
near the Somalia a,st. To the east, in the vicin-
ity of Socotra, bi uminescence is a common oc-
currence through ? ut the year. The same bio-
luminescent condi 'ons ascribed to the Gulf of
Aden occur here. Luminescent displays occur
throughout the ye r along the coast of northern
Somalia, reaching a maximum during the period
July through Octo r.
Bioluminescent displays are frequently seen
during the year in the vicinity of Capo Guardafui
and Ras Hafun. s in the Gulf of Aden, masses
of dinoflagellates d occasional concentrations of
jellyfishes contribu to numerous displays of bio-
luminescence. Fe bioluminescent displays have
been observed wit n the eastern Somalia coastal
region south of R Hafun; those recorded are
generally due to d'noflagellate blooms or masses
of jellyfishes, and ually are seen during August
and September.
C. MARINE ALG E
(1) Introdu
feet nearshore nay
a) by mechanicall
craft operating in
ing waders and
tion?Marine algae may af-
1 operations in several ways:
fouling the screws of small
earshore waters, b) by imped-
derwater swimmers in dense
growths or by- creating difficult underfooting, c)
by making beach Operations difficult, and d) by
clogging ship and sniiall craft intakes.
(2) Geograp
most luxuriantly b
depth of about 50
reefs found along s
or below these level
ticularly in the int
peratures and extr
establishment. So
from their substrat
late at the surface
ally wash ashore.
these waters, Sarg
PAGE 22-26
ic distribution ? Algae grow
tween mean low water and a
feet on rocky ledges or coral
me parts of this coast. Above
, algal growth decreases, par-
rtidal zone, where high tem-
me desiccation prevent their
e algae may be torn loose
during storms and accumu-
floating masses that eventu-
Since the largest algae in
sum, Turbinaria, and Cysto-
phyllum, are usually no longer than 3 or 4 feet,
algae are not likely to entangle swimmers or the
screws of small craft. Also, they are not likely to
clog small craft intakes or hinder amphibious land-
ing operations, although they may at times form
floating masses and windrows on the beach. Con-
centrations of small algae at about mean low wa-
ter may make surfaces slippery for men wading
ashore in some places.
The algal flora of Socotra resembles that in
similar marine habitats on the Somalia coast.
d. SEAGRASSES ? The seagra.sses Cymodocea
and Halophila, which usually are no larger than
most algae in these waters, are well represented
on mud or mud-sand bottoms in protected waters
less than 50 feet deep. Although they may con-
tribute somewhat to the accumulation of floating
masses of seaweed and windrows on the beaches,
they are not abundant enough to increase the sig-
nificance of marine vegetation in naval opera-
tions.
C. Sector 1: Ethiopia (Eritrea)
18?02'N., 38?36'E. to 12?42'N., 43?08'E.
(FIGURES 22-71 and 22-72; USHO Charts 2815
and 2816)
Sector 1, consisting of approximately 680 miles
of coast on the mainland and 300 miles of coast on
the off-lying archipelago of Isole Dahlac, extends
southeastward from the Ethiopia - Sudan border
to the Ethiopia - French Somaliland border, and
fronts on the Red Sea.
The mainland shores of the sector are predomi-
nantly sandy and are bordered in many places by
marsh or swamp. There are four major beach
areas, six minor beach areas, and nine landing
places on the mainland. ?Most of these are in
southern half of the sector; there are none on the
off-lying islands. The major beach areas vary
from 11/4 miles to 31/4 miles in length, and the
minor beaches from 450 yards to 1,700 yards.
Most of the beaches are backed by sandy desert
and semidesert plains.
The areas best suited for large-scale amphibious
operations are in the vicinity of the principal port
of Massaua and the secondary port of Assab. In
addition to port facilities, these two areas have
good roads, large stretches of flat-to-undulating
terrain, and nearby air facilities. Elsewhere, poor
approaches, lack of roads, or limited area of flat
terrain combine to make the remaining parts of
the sector generally unfavorable for large-scale
amphibious operations.
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY - JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
Low, flat-to-undulating coastal plains, mostly
about 5 to 15 miles wide, extend inland behind the
mainland shores. The plains in turn are backed
by hilly-to-mountainous outliers of the extensive
interior mountainous plateau which attains peak
elevations from 3,000 to over 10,000 feet. In sev-
eral places, hilly-to-mountainous spurs of the in-
terior highlands extend to or near the water's
edge, compartmentalizing the coastal plains. In
addition to these spurs, the coastal plains are
sporadically interrupted by isolated hills or moun-
tains.
The predominant vegetation of the coastal re-
gion is scattered grass and brush, which is most
dense near the banks of streams. The partly
brush- and tree-covered interior highlands are
deeply dissected by numerous intermittent
streams which flow out onto the coastal plains
and in many places terminate in the porous sands
before reaching the sea. Many of these streams
have deeply entrenched streambeds, and most
have marshy areas adjoining their lower limits.
The majority of the off-shore islands have pre-
dominantly sandy shores backed by low, barren,
sandy terrain. Many islands have scattered coral
outcroppings and are reef fringed.
Sea approaches to much of Coastal Segments
[1] and [3] are obstructed by the Isole Dahlac, an
archipelago of coral reefs, shoals, islets, and is-
lands, which extend 61/4 to 80 n. miles offshore.
Between the mainland and the Isole Dahlac is a
deepwater channel, Canale di Massaua, which
provides a clear offshore approach to the port of
Massaua. ? A chain of islands, extending about 54
n. miles north-northeastward of Baia di Beilul in
Coastal Segment [4], is another major obstruc-
tion in the offshore approaches to the sector.
Rocks, shoals, and islets, ? particularly at the en-
trances to the numerous large bays indenting the
coast, are additional offshore obstructions. The
principal nearshore obstruction is a discontinuous
fringing coral reef. Approaches to the islands of
Isole Dahlac are generally unfavorable due to sur-
rounding reefs, rocks, and shoals.
Protected anchorages are available in several of
the bays. Potential fleet anchorages are located
along the mainland in Golfo di Zula (Coastal Seg-
ment [3), and Baia di Beilul (Coastal Segment
[4]). In the Isole Dahlac there are two additional
potential fleet anchorages, both on the western
side of Isola Dahlac Chebir (Coastal Segment
[2]).
There are one principal port, one secondary
port, and three minor ports in Sector 1. The
principal port is at Massaua (Coastal Segment
[3]) which is also the most important urban area
on the coastal plain. Assab is the secondary port
CONFIDENTIAL
and is the largest urban area in Coastal Segment
[4]. There are minor ports at Archico, Capo Mal-
catto, and Mersa Fatma. Most of the coastal
population is distributed among widely scattered
villages, but the density is sparser than on the in-
land plateaus of the highlands where there are
numerous towns, villages, and settlements, includ-
ing Asmara, the most important town in Eritrea.
On the whole, land transportation is poor and
there are only two roads of importance in the sec-
tor. One surfaced road leads inland from Mas-
saua to Asmara where several connecting roads
branch out into the interior. Another surfaced
road leads southwest from Assab and provides the
shortest route inland to Addis Ababa. In addition
to these roads, there is one principal coastal track
which traverses the length of the sector from 1
to 131/2 miles inland, and connects at various
points with the two main roads by means of other
tracks and trails or by cross-country movement.
There is only one railroad in the sector, a narrow-
gage (3'13/8") line running westward from Mas-
saua through Asmara and Cheren (Coastal Seg-
ment [1]). Cross-country movement would be
hindered by soft sand, hilly and mountainous
areas, deeply entrenched streambeds, sand dunes,
and areas of lava rock. Movement inland is also
impeded by the hills and mountains backing the
coastal plain with only valley corridors and wide
streambeds affording, at best, difficult routes of
access.
There are four classified and three unclassified
airfields throughout the sector with the greatest
concentration in Coastal Segment [3]. These fa-
cilities can be used for helicopter landings.
There are other suitable helicopter landing areas
on flat uninterrupted stretches of the coastal
plain and on some of the islands of the Isole
Dahlac.
The coastal area of Sector 1 has a hot, dry mon-
soonal type of climate. While the area is hot the
year round, the months of June through Septem-
ber are the hottest, with mean daily maximum
temperatures of 90? F. to over 100? F. Along the
coastal lowlands, the mean annual rainfall is less
than 10 inches, but the littoral highlands receive
from about 15 to 45 inches annually. During the
period of June through August, winds are mostly
from the northwest quadrant while southeasterly
and southerly winds predominate during October
through April. Wind directions tend to be vari-
able during the transition months of May and
September. Throughout the year, local land and
sea breezes may dominate the wind direction in
many coastal areas. In terms of ground opera-
tions, the most important weather phenomena
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CONFIDENTIAL
NIS 55
are the sporadic sindstorms and flash flooding of
streams following periods of rain.
1. Coast
Coastal Segment [1], Sudan - Ethiopia border
to Ras Dogon (190 coastline miles; USHO charts
2815 and 2822)
General?The c
undulating, sparse
dissected mounta
through 22-18B a
dominantly sandy
by marshy areas a
astal area consists of a broad,
Ly vegetated plain backed by a
ous plateau (FIGURES 22-14
d 22-71). The shores are pre-
with some stretches bordered
d mangrove swamps. The off-
shore approaches tio the northern third of the seg-
ment are clear. The southern two-thirds is ob-
structed by the islands, rocks, reefs and shoals of
the archipelago, I
quate approach ch
obstructions. In
principal obstructi
reef. There are
for small boats bu
tected deepwater
ticularly on the
Massaua,.
In general, this
Jar large-scale am
because of poor
ole Dahlac, but there are ade-
nnels through or around these
he nearshore approaches the
n is a discontinuous fringing
o protected anchorages except
all along the coast partly pro-
chorates are available, par-
estern side of the Canale di
oastal segment is not suitable
hibiaus operations, principally
pproaches and lack of roads.
However, the area best suited for such operations
is near the southern end of the segment where
there are two maj6r beach areas. These beaches
lie from 31/4 to 7 n4iies north of the principal port
of Massaua (Coast 1 Segment [3] ) and the main
road and railroad which connect this port with
the hinterland.
The coastal plaill
only by scattered
ment across the p
hills and mountain
steep slopes and
elude off-road mov
air facilities but t
many flat stretche
helicopter landings
Shore and coast
dominantly sandy
marsh or mangro
(1) and (2) ; FIG
22-18A). The ter
of a broad, undul
dissected mountai
The plain is about
rows to less than 1
widens to a maxim
its southern end.
is devoid of roads and is served
tracks. Cross-country move-
am n is generally good. In the
ous plateau backing the plain,
eep-cleft valleys virtually pre-
ment. There are no classified
ere is one unclassified airfield;
of the plain are suitable for
terrain?The shores are pre-
and bordered in places by
e swamp (major beach areas
RES 22-14 through 22-16 and
am n behind the shores consists
ing coastal plain backed by a
ous plateau (FIGURE 22-17).
5 miles wide in the north, nar-
miles at the center, and again
m of more than 20 miles near
Isolated hills, ranging from
about 140 to 800 feet high, are scattered over the
plain and lie as close as 4 miles inland in the
PAGE 22-28
NAVY-JUNE 1962
northern part of the segment and 12 miles in the
southern part. The plain is mostly bare, arid, and
sandy with low dunes and sand ridges. However,
scattered small thorny bushes and trees line the
dry streambeds, and elsewhere there are sporadic
patches of brush or grass (FIGURE 22-18B). In
addition, there are several widely scattered areas
of cultivation and saltpans, mostly near the south-
ern end of the segment. In many places inter-
mittent streams issuing from the interior plateau
are lost in shifting sands or marshes before reach-
ing the shore. After a heavy rainfall, these
streams turn into torrents. About 17 miles south
of Mersa Mubarec there is a large intermittent
stream that does reach the sea. It has a broad
flood plain incised by broad streambeds and
flanked by steep sides.
Backing the coastal plain is the interior plateau
whose steep serrated foothills attain elevations up
to 1,000 feet. Numerous mountainous areas rise
from this plateau and attain peak elevations of
over 6,000 feet about 30 to 50 miles inland from
the shore. Steep-sided valleys severely dissect the
plateau. Brush and scattered areas of , small
trees and grasses are the predominant cover of
the plateau.
Approaches?Offshore approaches to the north-
ern third of the segment are clear while the re-
maining two-thirds are severely obstructed by the
islands, rocks, reefs, and shoals of the Isole Dah-
lac. This archipelago, which has one principal ap-
proach channel through it, is discussed in Coastal
Segment [2] (FfouRE 22-71).
From the northern border of the segment to
Mersa Deresa, about 65 miles southeastward, the
offshore approaches are generally clear; however,
many scattered shoals and banks lie 5 to 12 n. miles
offshore. The nearshore approaches are partly
obstructed by fringing coral reefs which in places
extend about 1 n. mile from the shore. Where
charted, the 10-fathom curve lies 650 yards to
21/2 n. miles offshore.
Between Mersa Deresa and Ras Dogon, at the
southern end of the segment, the offshore ap-
proaches are obstructed by the islands, rocks,
reefs, and shoals of the Isole Dahlac and other
scattered shoals. Approach channels to the main-
land are limited to 1) the northern part of the
Canale di Massaua, which lies parallel to the coast
between the shore and the westernmost islands
of the Isole Dahlac for a distance of about 108 n.
miles, and 2) to a channel through the Isole
Dahlac. The Canale di Massaua fairway varies
from 21/2 to 14 n. miles in width, and is mainly
from 10 to 70 fathoms deep with occasional shoal
patches. The channel affords a safe and con-
venient passage which may be navigated either
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY-JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
by day or night. In the nearshore approaches
(western side of the Canale di Massaua), the prin-
cipal obstruction is a discontinuous fringing reef.
Between Mersa Deresa and Ras Dogon the 10-
fathom curve extends from 500 yards to 4 n. miles
offshore. An irregularly charted 6-fathom curve
lies from 400 yards to 1% n. miles offshore.
Ports and urban areas?There are no ports in
the segment, and the very few villages on the bar-
ren coastal plain are confined principally to widely
separated areas of cultivation or salt works. Per-
manent villages and towns are located in the
highlands. The most important of these urban
areas is Cheren, a local trading center and rail
transit point, which lies about 70 miles west of
Ras Dogon. The town has good road and rail
connections with the town of Asmara and the
port of Massaua.
Routes of communication?The coastal plain is
devoid of roads, the primary routes being coastal
tracks which roughly parallel the shore 1 to 6
miles inland along the northern and southern
parts of the plain. These tracks are joined by
several other tracks leading inland across the
plain and ultimately connecting with a north -
south unsurfaced road. This road lies 18 to 66
miles inland and skirts the eastern edge of the
plateau backing the plain. At its southern end,
the road connects with a hard-surfaced all-
weather road that passes through Cheren enroute
westward from Massaua to the Sudan border.
Marshy and swampy areas are the principal ob-
stacles to movement inland from the shores. Al-
though most of these areas are relatively short
belts paralleling the shores, they extend up to 4
miles inland in many places and would hinder
movement laterally along the coast (see FIGURES
22-15 and 22-16). At high water, many of the
tidal marshes are unfordable. Sand dunes line
sections of the shore and areas of shifting sand
dunes and sand ridges are sporadic along the
coastal plain (nouns 22-15 and 22-16). In some
places, these sand dunes and ridges are of sufficient
height and steepness to be obstacles to vehicular
movement. Isolated, rocky hilly formations also
dot the coastal plain, presenting obstacles that
can be bypassed for the most part (FIGURES
22-14 and 22-17). The only other major obstacles
encountered along the coastal plain are the nu-
merous intermittent streams whose banks are
sufficiently high and steep in, many places to block
the passage of vehicles. During rainy periods, all
movement is generally restricted because of floods,
torrential streams, and sticky, slippery soils.
The steep slopes of the hills and the mountainous
plateau backing the coastal plain are a formidable
CONFIDENTIAL
barrier to movement. However, foot troops might
be able to ascend some of the stream valleys
through the highlands and reach relatively flat
parts of the interior plateau.
Helicopter landing areas?There are no classi-
fied air facilities in the segment but an unclassi-
fied airfield, approximately 2 miles south of major
beach area (2), is suitable for helicopter land-
ings. Level stretches of the coastal plain are also
suitable as helicopter landing areas; however,
loose sand and sand dunes may be a problem in
places. There are also some relatively level areas
suitable for landing on the plateau backing the
plain. Exits from the helicopter landing areas on
the plain or the plateau are primarily by cross-
country movement to scattered tracks and trails,
but movement over much of the plateau is severely
limited by the steep-sided valleys and gorges
which dissect the interior highlands.
Coastal Segment [2], Isole Dahlae (approxi-
mately 300 coastline miles; USHO Charts 2815,
2821,2822)
Genera?The Isole Dahlac is an archipelago of
over 100 large and small islands which extend for
about 150 n. miles on a northwest - southeast
axis off the northern part of the Eritrean coast
(FIGuREs 22-19 through 22-21, and 22-71). The
archipelago is separated from the mainland by
the Canale di Massaua. The islands are prin-
cipally low and sandy with scattered coral out-
croppings and are fringed by reefs, rocks, shoals,
and islets. These obstructions in the approaches
make the islands generally unfavorable for am-
phibious operations. Much of the Isole Dahlac
has been only partially surveyed, and there are
many indications of discrepancies on existing hy-
drographic charts. There is one principal ap-
proach channel leading through the archipelago
to the port of Massaua (annotated on FIGURE
22-71), as well as some minor devious and diffi-
cult channels leading to individual islands. Two
potential fleet anchorages lie on the western side
of Isola Dahlac Chebir, and open anchorage is
available off some of the islands.
There are no landing beaches or landing places
in this segment; however, short stretches of sandy
shores on many of the islands might be suitable
for the landing of small parties. Most of the is-
lands have areas suitable for helicopter landings,
but loose sand and rocks may be a problem in
places. Roads are lacking but the larger inhab-
ited islands have tracks and trails. Except for
sand ridges and hills, marshy or swampy areas,
and isolated cliffs, cross-country movement is
generally good.
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NIS 55 ? NAVY-JUNE 1962
Isola Dahlac Chebir?The largest island of the
Isole Dahlac is Isola Dahlac Chebir which is
about 35 miles long and averages 11 miles in
width (FIGURES 22-49 through 22-21). It is com-
posed principally Of coral and is generally low
with its northern and western sides deeply in-
dented. The shore are predominantly sandy and
fringed in most places by coral reefs, although
along the norther
mangrove areas fri
mediately behind t
sists of old beach r
ern side of the isla
tively flat and sand
pings and small
consists mainly o
few palms, and
streams whose w
the ground in the
ridges backing the S
side of the island scattered
ge the shore. The terrain 'm-
e shores in many places con-
dges, particularly On the west-
d. Inland, the terrain is rela-
with scattered coral outcrop-
arshy areas. The vegetation
scattered grassy patches, a
rush along the intermittent
ters normally sink beneath
shifting sands of the beach
pores.
Cross-country m ? vernent is generally good. The
major obstacles to inlaild movement are marshy
areas scattered abo t the island and a cliffy area
inland from the s utheastern shores of Gobbet
Mus Nefit, a bay on the western coast. There are
a numbe:r of small Coastal villages, most of which
are located on the western side of the island.
Tracks and trails connect these villages and are
most numerous in the western half of the island.
Approaches to sola Dahlac Chebir are ob-
structed off its northern and eastern shores by
rocks, reefs, shoals, and islands. On its southern
side a discontinuoOs reef extends offshore about
1,000 yards at its s uthwestern end and lies up to
7 n. miles offshore t its southeastern end. Reefs,
rocks, shoals, and i lands lie up to 10 n. miles off-
shore along the we tern side of the island.
Two large bays which indent the western coast
of the island are
chorages; deepwate
Shoals and islets b
Entatu, the north
arated by a naviga
of more than 6 fat
onsidered potential fleet an-
channels lead into the bays.
rder the entrance to Gubbet
esterly bay, but they are sep-
le channel which has depths
oms and a minimum width of
about 700 yards. linside the bay, however, there
is good anchorage in depths of 10 or more fathoms.
Islands and reefsibstruct most of the entrance
to Gobbet Mus Nest, the southwesterly bay, but
there is a clear entrance channel having depths
of 51/2 to 14 fathom S and a minimum width of 300
yards. This bay iS large and deep and affords
anchorage area in epths Of 6 to 11 fathoms over
a sandy bottom, here is a small landing pier
and village on the outheastern shore of the bay.
No data are availa le regarding protection from
prevailing weather in either Gubbet Entatu or
Gobbet Mus Nefit.
PAGE 22-30
Isola Norah?Located about 7 n. miles north of
Isola Dahlac Chebir, Isola Norah is the second
largest island in the Isole Dahlac and averages
about 6 miles long and 5 miles wide (FIGURES
22-19 and 22-20). The island is generally low,
irregular, and deeply indented by several bights
and bays. The shores are sandy and fringed by
coral reefs, but in places there is a border of man-
grove. The terrain behind the shores is low, mostly
barren, and sandy with scattered coral outcrop-
pings. In places the shore is backed by a zone
of sandy beach ridges, in turn backed by exten-
sive marshy areas which would impede cross-
country movement. There are scattered habita-
tions 'and tracks and trails on the island. Ap-
proaches to the island are partly obstructed by
the coral reefs, shoals, and smaller islets and is-
lands surrounding it; however, several navigable
passages thread through these obstructions.
Isola Ma/run?Lying 11/2 n. miles east of Isola
Norah, this island is low, mainly sandy, and about
3 miles in extent. The shores are sandy and
completely fringed by coral reefs. A narrow belt
of mangrove borders most of the southern side of
the island and scattered places along the north-
ern side. The terrain is flat, predominantly sandy,
but partly marshy, and covered by patches of grass
in many places. There is virtually no habitation
except for a small cluster of huts on the western
end of the island where there are a few tracks and
trails.
Isola Naheleg?Located 13/4 n. miles north-
northwest of Isola Mahun, Isola Naheleg is a low,
sand-and-coral island about 7 miles in length.
The shores are probably sandy and fringed by
coral reefs.
Isola Ghabbi Hu?Situated about 33/4 n. miles
northeast of Isola Naheleg, this island is about 1
mile wide and 3 miles long. It is a low, sand-and-
coral island With a few bushes on it.
Isola Entaentor?Located about 13/4 n. miles
north of Isola Ghabbi Hu, this island is narrow
and about 2 miles in length. It is low, composed
of coral and sand, and is bordered by reefs which
extend 1 n. mile off its eastern side.
Isola Harmil?This island lies at the northeast-
ern end of the approach channel through the
Isole Dahlac (FIGURE 22-71) and is located about
10 n. miles northwest of Isola Entaentor. Isola
Harmil, a coral island, is low, sandy, and irregular
in shape, and averages about 3 miles in length
and width. Reefs and rocks fringe the southern
and eastern sides of the island, and the reef ex-
tends as far as 1 n. mile southeastward from the
southeastern extremity of the island. There is an
almost landlocked bight on the northern side of
the island.
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MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
Isola /sra-tu?Located 141/2 n. miles southwest
of Isola Harmil, this island is irregular in shape,
being deeply indented by two large mangrove-
fringed inlets, and is about 3 miles in extent.
The sandy shores are fringed by coral reefs and
rocks. The terrain is mostly flat and sandy ex-
cept off the southwestern side of the island where
sandhills back the shore. These hills, ranging up
to 100 feet high, are covered with grass and brush
and extend across the island in isolated peaks.
There are no tracks or trails indicative of habita-
tion.
Isola Difnein?This, the northwesternmost is-
land of the Isole Dahlac and lying about 34 n.
miles northwest of Isola Isra-tu, is about 1 mile in
extent, and is indented by inlets. Difnein is one
of several islands forming the perimeter of the
seaward side of the northern part of Canale di
Massaua. The other islands include Isola Entesile,
Isola Harat, Isola Dul Baut, and Isola Dehel.
Isola Difnein, reportedly about 30 feet high, is
composed of coral and sand, and is partly covered
with mangrove. Its fringing reefs are steep-to and
narrow on the northern side, and about 1,000
yards wide on the southeast.
Isola Entesile?Located 6 n. miles south of Isola
Difnein, this small coral island is about 20 feet
high, covered with dense brush, and bordered by
a narrow reef.
Isola Harat?Located about 22 n. miles south
of Isola Entesile and 12 n. miles off the main-
land, it is the largest island bordering the north-
ern part of the Canale di Massaua. The island,
about 71/2 miles long and 35 feet high, is rela-
tively flat and is covered by scattered patches of
grass and brush. The shores are sandy arid
fringed by coral reefs and rocks, which are most
extensive off the western side of the island. An
extensive area of reefs also extends about 81/2 n.
miles northward from the northern extremity of
the island. A small village is located at the south-
ern end of the island with a few tracks and trails
in its vicinity.
Isola Dehel?Located about 111/2 n. miles south-
east of Isola Harat, this island is flat, about 20
feet high, and 21/4 miles in extent. The shores
are sandy and fringed by a reef which extends as
far as 1,000 yards offshore. Narrow fingers of
marsh back the shores along the southern coast.
Patches of grass and brush cover much of the is-
land, and near the northwestern side is a village
with a grove of palm trees in its vicinity.
Isola Sciumma?Located about 4 n. miles south-
ward of the southwestern extremity of Dahlac
Chebir, this island is 50 feet high, 2% miles long,
and is bordered by a reef extending as far as
1,000 yards offshore in places (FIGURE 22-21).
CONFIDENTIAL
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The island's shores are sandy and reef fringed and
backed by relatively flat terrain mostly covered
by grass and brush. Two streams, with partly
marshy basins, drain the central part of the is-
land.
Some sources report a minor port within the
small harbor on the southwestern side of Isola
Sciumma but 1943 photography does not reveal
any extant facilities. Except for fringing coral
reefs, the approaches to the island within the nar-
rows of Canale di Massaua are clear.
Coastal Segment [3], Ras Dogon to Ras Sciaks
(250 coastline miles; USHO Charts 2815, 2822)
General?The coastal area consists of a flat-to-
undulating sandy, sparsely vegetated plain av-
eraging from 1 to 10 miles in width (FIGURES
22-22 through 22-24 and 22-71). The plain merges
with a rugged mountainous interior except in the
central part of the segment where a narrow dis-
continuous belt, of hills and mountains backs the
plain and is in turn backed by a large valley.
Offshore approaches are generally clear; near-
shore approaches are partly obstructed by islands
and other obstructions. A potential fleet anchor-
age is located in Golfo di Zula in an area about 7
by 10 n. miles with depths of 10 to 20 fathoms.
Two minor beach areas, and two landing places
are in this coastal segment. The Massaua area
with its accessibility to excellent road and rail
routes is the best suited for large-scale amphibious
operations. In .general, the remainder of the
coastal area is unfavorable for large-scale am-
phibious operations, principally because of the
lack of roads and the limited areas of flat terrain.
Throughout most of the coastal area, movement
is confined to a poor network of tracks and trails
because of soft sand, hilly and mountainous areas,
and deeply entrenched streambeds which form
serious obstacles to extended cross-country move-
ment. Inland, the mountains prevent easy egress
from the coastal area, and movement is restricted
to valleys and stream corridors which are diffi-
cult to negotiate. Class 1 air facilities are located
at Asmara and Gura, and a Class 2 facility at
Massaua. In addition to these air facilities and
one unclassified airfield northwest of minor beach
1, there are also scattered flat-to-undulating areas
on the coastal plains that provide suitable heli-
copter landing areas.
Shore and coastal terrain ?The coast is very
irregular and deeply indented by several large
bays and numerous inlets and coves. The shores
are predominantly sandy (minor beach areas 1
and 2, and 2 landing places; FIGURE 22-23), and
bordered in places by marsh or mangrove. Be-
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CONFIDENTIAL
NIS 55
hind the sandy sh res are coastal plains of vari-
able width, in tu4 backed for the most part by
brush- and tree-co ered hills and mountains which
in places interruptl the plains and extend to the
water's edge (FroulaEs 22-23 and 22-24) . In the
central part of the segment, the hills and moun-
tains are much lqwer in elevation and form a
narrow discontinuous barrier which separates
the plain from a large inland valley.
In the northwestern half of the segment from
Ras Dogon to Mer a Fatma, scattered marshy or
sandy areas bordek the sandy shores. Here, the
coastal plains are arrowest and average from 1
to 7 miles in width At the heads of Baia d'Arch-
ico, Golfo di Zula, and Baia di Hauachil, hilly-to-
mountainous spur of the interior highlands ex-
tend to or near t e water's edge. The coastal
plains are broadest in the vicinity of Massaua and
on both sides of GOlfo di Zula, particularly on the
eastern side of the gulf; a large salt lake lies in
the center of this pllain east of Golfo di Zula.
Throughout the
ment, the plains
there are some iso
The coastal plains
tion but there ar
which are most d
northwestern half of the seg-
re low and sandy, although
ated hills and rocky outcrops.
are mainly devoid of vegeta-
patches of grass and brush
nse along the banks of the
many intermittent streams that cross the plains.
The hills and mountains which back and flank the
plains are partly covered by brush and trees and
deeply cut by steep-sided stream valleys. From
the Golfo di Zula westward, the mountainous
interior is highest, reaching peak elevations from
about 3,000 feet to over 10,000 feet. Southeast-
ward from the head of Golfo di Zula the hills and
mountains are lower. Narrow stream valleys and
lowland corridors thread through this zone of
coastal hills and mOuntains.
In the southeastern half of the segment from
Mersa Fatma southeastward, the sandy shores are
interspersed with fringing mangrove which is quite
dense in places, particularly in the inlets northeast
of Mersa Fatma. The coastal plain is low and
sandy and widens considerably between Mersa
Fatma and the southeastern end of the segment,
averaging about 10 miles in width. The hills and
isolated mountain peaks that characterize the
northwestern half of the segment are much less evi-
dent although in a few places low hills lie close be-
hind the shores. Here too, patches of grass and
brush are intersperSed over the coastal plain, being
most dense along th,e banks of the numerous inter-
mittent streams. Ai discontinuous zone of hills and
mountains, partly eovered by grass, brush, and
trees, backs the coastal plains and reaches a peak
elevation of over 4,000 feet.
PAGE 22-32
NAVY - JUNE 1962
Between Mersa Fatma and Baia d'Anfile, about
30 miles east-southeastward, the hills and moun-
tains are generally much lower in elevation and
form a discontinuous barrier between the coastal
plain and an extensive inland valley. The barrier,
consisting mostly of high hills, is interspersed with
elevations of slightly more than 1,000 feet and is
traversed by a number of corridors. The corridors
give access to the valley which is about 130 miles
long and 30 to 40 miles wide. Much of its surface
lies below sea level and consists of salt lakes and
marshes ?which are fed by intermittent streams
draining from the adjacent highlands. Elsewhere,
the valley is mainly sandy or gravelly although
there are areas of rocky volcanic outcrops. The
valley is mostly barren although there are scattered
patches of grass and brush.
Numerous islands front the shores, with the ma-
jority concentrated in Baia di Hauachil. The larg-
est island, Isola di Hauachil, has sandy shores,
is mostly low and sandy, and has coral outcrop-
pings in its northern half; its southern half is
hilly with volcanic peaks over 700 feet high. Isola
Monte Baca, the second largest island, also has
sandy shores, is predominantly hilly with heights
over 400 feet, and is covered with brush and trees.
The remainder of the islands in Baia di Hauachil
are mostly low, sandy, and barren, and are fringed
in places by mangrove. The second largest con-
centration of islands is located in Baia d'Anfile, to
the southeast. Isola Midiri, the largest island in
this bay, consists of coral and is barren, but the
sandy shores on the southern side of the island
are thickly fringed with mangrove. On the re-
maining islands of this group the shores and ter-
rain are sandy, but are mangrove bordered in
many places. The only other island of importance
is Isola Dissei, which lies in the entrance to the
Golfo di Zula. It has sandy shores backed in
places by hills, partly covered by clumps of grass
or brush.
Approaches?Offshore approaches are in gen-
eral clear; the southern part of the Canale di
Massaua provides a deepwater channel between
the southern islands of the Isole Dahlac and the
mainland. Minor obstructions in the channel con-
sist of several small islands and a few widely scat-
tered reefs and shoals. Nearshore approaches
are partly obstructed by fringing coral reefs,
shoals, rocks, and by numerous islands that en-
cumber the entrances to the several large bays
which indent the coast.
In the nearshore approaches, from Ras Dogon
southeastward about 40 n. miles to Ras Lamma
Tacaito, the principal obstruction is a discon-
tinuous, narrow fringing coral reef surmounted
by rocky areas and a few islets. Six-fathom
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NAVY-JUNE 1962 MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
depths lie from 500 yards to 1,500 yards offshore
except near Massaua and the eastern entrance
point to Golfo di Zula where it lies up to 21/4 n. miles
offshore.
Unlike the northwestern part of the segment,
most of the nearshore approaches from Ras
Lamina Tacaito to the southern end of the seg-
ment are obstructed by a more extensive coral
reef combined with numerous rocks, shoals, and
islands. In most places the fringing reef does not
extend more than 1 n. mile offshore; however,
there is a stretch of shore extending about 55 miles
southeastward from Mersa Fatma where the reef
completely fills several inlets and extends as much
as 7 n. miles seaward, probably uncovering in
places.
In the outer part of Baia di Hauachil there are
numerous obstructions consisting of islands, rocks,
and shoals. Rocks, reefs, and shoal patches also
lie close inshore throughout most of the bay;
however, a channel with depths of 33/4 to 7 fath-
oms threads in a southwesterly direction between
the islands and other obstructions and leads into
the inner part of the bay. A smaller group of
reef-fringed islands similarly obstructs approaches
to Baia d'Anfile near the southeastern end of the
segment. Off this stretch of coast 6-fathom
depths lie from 1,000 yards to 13 n. miles seaward,
lying farthest off the head of Baia di Hauachil.
Ports and urban areas?Massaua, the only prin-
cipal port in Ethiopia, lies in this segment. The
town is also the largest urban area on the coastal
plain and has good road and railroad connections.
An aerial tramway extends from Massaua to
Asmara, about 41 miles southwestward, but it is not
presently in use. Although specific data are lack-
ing, there are piers at the minor ports of Archico,
6 miles south of Massaua, at Capo Malcatto on the
west-central side of Golfo di Zula, and at Mersa
Fatma.
Elsewhere on the plain, population is limited to
a few coastal fishing villages. The population
and areas of cultivation are centered mostly
around Massaua and in the valleys and on the
plateaus that lie inland from that port. Asmara
is the second most important town in Ethiopia as
well as being the communications hub and eco-
nomic center for Eritrea.
Routes of communication?A hard-surfaced all-
weather road leads inland from Massaua to As-
mara, where it branches northwestward and south-
ward into the interior regions. A narrow-gage
(3'13/8") railroad roughly parallels the road from
Massaua to Asmara and also follows the road ex-
tending northwestward from Asmara to a ter-
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
minus point about 71 miles farther inland to the
northwest. Access to this road and railroad from
the shore, especially south of Massaua, is by
cross-country movement for short distances to
established tracks and trails. There is also a
short stretch of surfaced road leading from Archico
to Massaua. Formerly a short railroad extended
from Mersa Fatma southward across the plain.
Elsewhere throughout the segment, the coastal
plain is poorly served by scattered tracks and
trails. One of these coastal tracks traverses the
length of the segment and lies from 100 yards to
10 miles inland; it lies closest to the shore along
the Golfo di Zula, Baia di Hauachil, and Baia
d'Anfile.
The coastal terrain is unfavorable for extended
cross-country movement, the prime obstacles be-
ing soft sand, hilly and mountainous areas, and
deeply entrenched stream beds. Movement in-
land through the highlands is restricted to val-
leys and steep-sided ravines, which at best are dif-
ficult to traverse.
Helicopter landing areas?There are several
classified air facilities in the segment which can
be used for helicopter landings. These include a
Class 2 air facility at Massaua, and Class 1 air fa-
cilities at Asmara and Gura, about 50 miles south-
west of Massaua. There is also an unclassified
airfield 9 miles northwest of minor beach area 1
suitable for landings. Elsewhere, flat-to-undulat-
ing areas along the coastal plains and the
larger islands adjacent to the coast are suitable
for landings; however, loose sand may be a prob-
lem in places. Exit from the helicopter landing
areas on the plains would be primarily by cross-
country movement to the coastal tracks and trails.
The main inland roads and railroad are readily
accessible from the air facilities.
Coastal Segment [4], Ras Sciaks to the French
Somaliland border (240 coastline miles; USHO
Charts 2816, 2819, and 2821)
General?The coastal area consists of a flat-to-
undulating, sandy, sparsely vegetated plain of
variable width, interrupted in many places by ex-
tensive rocky outcrops and scattered hills and
mountains (FIGURES 22-25 through 22-28B,
22-71, and 22-72). Backing the plain are rugged
mountains and high mountainous plateaus,
which in the northern half of the segment are
backed by a large valley. Offshore approaches are
in general clear except off several bays; near-
shore approaches are partly obstructed by a
fringing coral reef, islands, rocks, and shoals. A
potential fleet anchorage is located in Baia di
Beilul, a large open bay with depths of 7 to 13
fathoms in the anchorage.
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CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5 NAVY - JUNE 1962
Two major beach areas, four minor beach areas,
and seven landing places have been selected in
this segment. In general, the segment is not favor-
able for large-scale amphibious operations, prin-
cipally because of poor approaches, lack of roads,
and limited areas of flat terrain. However, the
best area for large-scale amphibious operations is
in the vicinity of the secondary port of Assab
1
where a series of anding places afford access to
the port, the mai road network, and a nearby
air facility. Aside from the roads emanating
from Assab, the cbastal area is served only by a
poor network of tracks and trails, and conditions
for extended crosS-country movement are poor.
A Class 3 air facili
fled airfield behind
suitable helicopter
y at Maacaca and an unclassi-
minor beach 5 would provide
landing areas as could numer-
ous level areas along the coast.
Shore and coastal terrain?The shores are pre-
dominantly sandy (major beach areas (3) and
(4), minor beach areas 3 through 6, and 7 land-
ing places; FIGURES 22-25 through 22-28B), al-
though there are scattered rocky shores and
muddy mangroveitordered stretches. Backing
the shores is a stream-dissected plain of variable
width, in turn baked by an almost continuous
chain of rugged
which in places in
the water's edge.
dotted with isola
sandy areas, rock
clay.
In the northwes
Ras Sciaks 60 mile
area (4), the shor
loose sandy areas
volcanic hills and mountains,
terrupt the plain and reach to
The coastal plain, which is
ed peaks, consists mainly of
outcrops, and some areas of
m part of the segment, from
? southeastward to major beach
s are mostly sandy, backed by
or sand dunes (major beach
areas (3) and (4), minor beach areas 1 and 2;
FIGURES 22-25 ai4d 22-26). Here, the coastal
plain is widest ama extends inland from about 8
to 24 miles. The plain is broadest in the vicinity
of major beach area (4) where it penetrates deeply
backing most of the plain, and provides an
inland to interruptthe southeast-trending moun-
tains access route to a large inland valley (see Coastal
Segment [3]).
cross the coastal
are marshy areas
nods. At the no
plain is mostly ba
principally to the
the plain extends
area (4), scattere
cover the plain as
mountains behind
high. Isolated h
conical in shape,
coastal mountains
umerous intermittent streams
lain, and near the shore there
hich overflow during rainy pe-
them end of the segment the
ren, and vegetation is confined
banks of streams; however, as
outhward toward major beach
patches of grass and brush
well as the streambanks. The
the plain are over 4,000 feet
lls and peaks, predominantly
interrupt the plain. These
are steep sided and deeply dis-
sected by many streams.
PAGE 22-34
In the central part of the segment, from major
beach area (4) about 75 miles southeastward to
Baia di Beilul, the shores are mostly sandy (minor
beach areas 3 through 6, and 2 landing places;
FIGURE 22-27) and are interrupted by scattered
rocky or muddy swamp-bordered stretches. Low
plains covered with partly brush-covered dunes
back most of the shores, although there are large
areas of lava-rock outcroppings and low hills.
There are high hills and low mountains as close
as 5 miles inland in this area although the plain
reaches a maximum width of about 20 miles in
the area south of minor beach area 4. The
coastal plain is backed by a plateau which reaches
heights of almost 7,000 feet and is dissected by
steep-sided stream valleys. At the heads of both
Baia Bahar Assoli and Baia di Beilul hilly spin
of the plateau lie close behind the shores.
In the southeastern part of the segment, from
Baia di Beilul about 80 miles southeastward to
the French Somaliland border, the shores are pre-
dominantly sandy (5 landing places; FIGURES
22-28A and 22-28B), although there are muddy
mangrove-bordered stretches. A low, undulating
coastal plain extends for about 2 to more than 15
miles behind the shores, having its greatest ex-
panse in the area south of Assab. Scattered hills
interrupt parts of the plain while hills and a pla-
teau, having a peak elevation over 6,500 feet, back
the plain. Brush, grass, and scattered trees cover
most of the coastal area but there are many bar-
ren sandy areas on the coastal plains and a large
area .of saltpans south of Assab.
Numerous scattered islands lie close offshore
and are prevalent at the entrances to and within
the bays. The major concentration of islands is
in Baia d'Assab where the two largest islands are
located. The largest, Isola Haleb, lies in the outer
part of the bay, has sandy shores and is partly
covered by brush and trees. Isola Fatmah, the
second largest and outermost island of the group,
lies in the middle of the bay entrance. The island,
with a maximum height of 50 feet at its northeast-
ern end, is also partly covered by brush and trees
and has sandy shores. The remaining islands in
Baia d'Assab are in general low, sandy, and brush-
covered and fringed in places by mangrove.
Approaches?Offshore approaches are generally
clear except off Baia Bahar Assoli, Baia di Beilul,
and Baia d'Assab, where numerous islands and
rocks obstruct the entrances to these bays. Near-
shore approaches are partly obstructed by fring-
ing coral reefs, shoals, and rocks.
In the sea approaches to the northwestern part
of the segment from Ras Sciaks to major beach
area (4), there are relatively few obstructions ex-
cept for a wreck and several widely scattered
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NAVY-JUNE 1962 MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
shoals and volcanic islets. Where charted, the
5-fathom curve lies from 1,000 yards to 2 n. miles
offshore.
The offshore approaches to the central part
from major beach area (4) to Baia di Beilul are
obstructed by islands and rocks. The principal
nearshore obstruction is a discontinuous fringing
coral reef, which is most extensive in the Baia
Bahar Assoli area. The nearshore approaches to
the inner part of Baia di Beilul are partly ob-
structed by several shoals and rocks. A partially
charted 6-fathom curve extends from about 500
yards offshore in Baia di Beilul to VA n. miles off
Baia Bahar Assoli.
The neatshore approaches to the southeastern
part of the segment from Baia di Beilul to the
French Somaliland border are obstructed by a
fairly continuous fringing coral reef. This reef
is most extensive at both the northern and cen-
tral sections of this part of the segment; off the
southeastern entrance point to Baia d'Assab it ex-
tends up to 4 n. miles offshore and probably un-
covers at low water. Off the southeastern part of
the segment a 6-fathom curve lies from 500 yards
to almost 6 n. miles offshore, lying farthest off the
head of Baia d'Assab.
Numerous reef-fringed islands, rocks, and shoals
fill Baia d'Assab and obstruct both the inner and
outer parts of the bay; however, there are several
channels leading through these obstructions. The
best channel leading into the southern part of the
bay lies on the western side of Baia d'Assab and
has depths of from 33 to 57 feet in the fairway.
Another main channel, located in the northeast-
ern part of the bay, has least depths of 19 feet
but shoal patches, with depths of from 7 to 15
feet over them, render this channel intricate.
Ports and urban areas?Assab is the only port
in the segment and the only secondary port in
Ethiopia. The port is also the largest urban area
on the sparsely populated coastal plain and has
good road connections. Elsewhere on the plain,
population is limited to a few coastal fishing vil-
lages, usually located at or near the large bays.
There is little evidence of any cultivation, and a
large area of saltpans south of Assab is the only
prominent cultural feature on the plain. Villages
are the most numerous on the inland plateaus in
the southeastern part of the segment.
Routes of cammunication?A hard-surfaced all-
weather road extends inland southwest from
Assab, connecting with the main Asmara ? Addis
Ababa highway. In addition, an unsurfaced road
trends northwestward from Assab, and passes be-
hind minor beach area 5 and the landing places
north of Assab. Elsewhere throughout the seg-
ment, the coastal plain is poorly served by scat-
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
tered tracks and trails. One of these coastal
tracks traverses the length of the segment and lies
from 880 yards to 13 1/2 miles inland.
The tracks and trails offer the best means of
movement inland because the coastal terrain is
unfavorable for extended cross-country move-
ment. The primary obstacles are loose sand and
sand dunes, extensive lava areas, hilly and moun-
tainous areas, and deep streambeds. Movement
inland across the steep-sided mountains and high
plateaus is restricted to valley corridors and wide
streambeds which afford the best access routes
into the hinterland. Volcanic craters and rocky
lava beds would be additional obstacles to move-
ment on the plateaus.
Helicopter landing areas?A Class 3 air facility
at Maacaca, 7 miles northwest of Assab, and an
unclassified airfield behind minor beach 5 can be
used for helicopter landings. Elsewhere, flat-to-
undulating areas along the coastal plain arid
many relatively flat areas on the mountainous in-
land plateau are also suitable for helicopter land-
ing areas; however, loose sand and sand dunes on
the plain may be a problem in places. Exit from
the landing areas is primarily by cross-country
movement to coastal tracks and trails.
2. Landing beaches
, There are four major beach areas, (1) through
(4); six minor beach areas, I through 6; and nine
landing places in Sector 1. The major beaches
are located near Massaua, Ras Nammeita, and
Ras Gumudli. One minor beach is located south
of Massaua, another on the south shore of Golfo
di Zula, and the remainder in the southern part
of this sector. The landing places are located on
the south shore of Golfo di Zula and in the vicinity
of Ras Gumudli and Assab.
The coasts in this sector, in general, are unsuit-
able for amphibious landings because of fringing
reefs, rocks, steep cliffs, and mountainous terrain.
Although no areas along these coasts are consid-
ered ideal for amphibious landings, a few beaches
and landing places have been selected in areas
where approaches, beach characteristics, and
exits to the inland terrain most nearly meet the
requirements for amphibious landings.
Major beach area (2) is considered the best
suited for an amphibious landing. In general it
has favorable approaches and physical character-
istics. Exits are by cross-country movement to a
coastal track.
Lengths of the major beaches in this sector range
from 11/2 to 31/4 miles. Widths at low water levels
range from 40 to 150 yards and at high water levels
from 10 to 35 yards. The beach gradients in the
low water to high water zone range from gentle to
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CONFIDENTIAL N S 5 5
mild; gradients in the high water zone are steep.
The beaches are of and which is firm in the wetted
area and soft where dry.
The offshore a proaches to two beaches are
clear; to the rem ining beaches the offshore ap-
proaches are restr'cted to Canale di Massaua and
channels between islands, reefs, rocks, and shoals.
Nearshore approaches to most of the beaches are
partly obstructed
shore bottom mat
beach the sand
Nearshore bottom
fiat.
Spring tides of
of the sector, and
in the southern h
currence of surf 4
y bars or seaweed. The near-
rial is sand; however, off one
s probably mixed with mud.
slopes range from moderate to
feet occur in the northern half
diurnal tides of 21/2 feet occur
alf. The expected average oc-
feet or greater on the beaches
NAVY ? JUNE 1962
ranges from infrequent to 12% of the time during
October through April; it is infrequent in all other
months.
Backing the beaches are sandy plains which are
drained by wadies and covered with scattered
brush and grass and which extend inland to partly
brush- and tree-covered hills rising to mountains.
Villages are in the vicinity of nearly all the
beaches. Exit from the beaches is by cross-coun-
try movement to coastal tracks. A single-track
narrow-gage railroad, a principal port (Massaua),
a Class 2 airfield, and an unclassified airfield are
in the vicinity of the two northern beaches.
Lengths of the minor beaches range from 450
to 1,700 yards; however, one-half are 1,000 yards
or less in length. The beaches are concave or
straight and are composed of sand. Widths at
FIGURE 22-6. MAJOR BEACH AREAS
(Map reference:
BEACH NUMBER AND
LOCATION
LENGTH AND USABLE
LENGTH
WIDTHS: AT L.W.;
AT H.W.
BEACH GRADIENTS:
L.W. TO H.W.
H.W. ZONE
APPROACH
(1) Centered 33% mi.
S. of Ras Arb, coast
of Ethiopia (Eritrea),
between
15?46'N., 39?27'E.
and
15?44'N., 39?27'E.
(nu. 22-18A)
(Reliability: FAIR)
(2) Centered 9 mi. S
of Ras Arb, at
15?41'N., 39?28'E.
(Reliability: FAIR)
(3) Centered 73i mi
NW. of Ras Nam
meita, at
14?24'N.; 41?20'E.
(Reliability: FAIR)
34 mi.; concave; termi-
nated to N. where
backed by marsh and
to S. by wadi mouth;
all usable.
13.. mi.; concave; termi-
nated to NW. by wadi
mouth and to SE. by
fringing reef; interrupted
by wadies; all usable.
134 mi; concave; termi-
minated by low sandy
points; all usable.
80 to 100 yd. at
L.W.; 15 to 30
yd. at H.W.
100 to 150 yd. at
L.W.; 20 to 35
yd. at H.W.
40 to 100 yd. at
L.W.; 10 to 20
yd. at H.W.
1 on 65 to 1 on 70,
L.W. to H.W.; 1
on 10 or steeper
in H.W. zone.
1 on 80 to 1 on 115,
L.W. to H.W.; 1
on 10 or steeper
in H.W. zone.
1 on 35 to 1 on 95,
L.W. to H.W.; 1
on 10 or steeper
to H.W. zone.
Nearshore bottom slopes mild to fla
shoreward of 18-ft. depth contour
600 to 1,000 yd. off H.W. line; dis-
continuous 36-ft. depth contour
1,000 yd. to 13% n. mi. off H.W.
line; offshore approach restricted
to Canale di Massaua and to chan-
nels between numerous islands,
reefs, rocks, and submerged shoals;
nearshore approach partly ob-
structed by submerged bar with
least depth of 4 ft., 700 yd. off
center part and flanked to N. by
point fronted by seaweed and to S.
by drying bars; bottom sand and
prob. mud.
Nearshore bottom slopes mild to flat
shoreward of 18-ft. depth contour
685 to 880 yd. off H.W. line; off-
shore approach restricted to Canale
di Massaua and to channels between
numerous islands, reefs, rocks, and
submerged shoals; nearshore ap-
proach clear but flanked to SE. by
fringing reef; bottom sand.
Nearshore bottom slopes gentle to flat
shoreward of 18-ft. depth contour
400 to 1,180 yd. off H.W. line;
offshore approach clear; nearshore
approach partly obstructed by
sandbars near L.W. line; bottom
sand.
NOTE Beach lengthls and distances along the coast and inland are expressed in statute miles; distances across water are expressed
in nautical npes except when referring to beach locations. Italicized words refer to terms defined in Subsection A, 4, d.
PAGE 22-36
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NAVY -- JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
low water levels range from 20 to 110 yards and
at high water levels from 5 to 20 yards. The near-
shore bottom slopes range from moderate to mad.
The offshore approaches to most of the minor
beaches are restricted to channels, bays, or a gulf,
two of which are partly obstructed by shoals.
Nearshore approaches to most of the minor
beaches are clear but flanked by rocks, reefs,
islands, or points. The nearshore bottom mate-
rial off the beaches is mostly sand. Fleet and local
anchorages are in the vicinity of half of the
beaches.
In general, the beaches are backed by sandy,
partly brush- and grass-covered plains extending
inland to partly brush- and tree-covered hills rising
to mountains. Villages are near half of the
beaches. Exit from most of the beaches is by
cross-country movement to coastal tracks. A sur-
OF COASTAL SECTOR 1
FIGURES 22-11 and 22-72)
faced road, a principal port (Massaua) , and a
singletrack narrow-gage railroad are in the vicin-
ity of minor beach 1. An unsurfaced road is lo-
cated behind minor beach 5. A Class 2 airfield
and/or an unclassified airfield are in the vicinity
of half of the minor beaches.
Approaches, terrain, and exits from the land-
ing places are similar to those given for the major
and minor beaches in the sector. Villages or build-
ings are at or near some of the landing places.
The five landing places at Assab provide one of
the best areas in the sector for amphibious land-
ings.
Tabular descriptions for the major beaches are
given in FIGURE 22-6 and for the minor beaches
in FIGURE 22-7. Locations of the major and minor
beaches and landing places are shown on the lo-
cation maps, FIGURES 22-71 and 22-72.
SURF AND TIDAL RANGE
MATERIAL AND
FIRMNESS
TERRAIN IMMEDIATELY BEHIND
BEACH
EXITS AND COMMUNICATIONS INLAND
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
pected to occur 4% of the time
Oct.?Apr. and infrequently in
all other months; tidal range
3 ft., springs.
Surf 4 ft. or greater infrequent in
all months; tidal range 3 ft.,
springs.
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
pected to occur 12% of the
time Oct.?Apr. and infre-
quently in all other months;
tidal range 2% ft., diurnal.
CONFIDENTIAL
Sand; firm in wet-
ted area, soft
where dry.
Sand; firm in wet-
ted area; soft
where dry.
Sand; firm in wet-
ted area, soft
where dry.
Backed by sandy plain drained by
wadies, containing marsh areas
behind N. part, and extending
inland to partly brush- and tree-
covered hills rising to mts. 12 to 15
mi. behind beach; isolated sand-
hills on plain; village close SW. of
S. end; Massaua 7 mi. S. of S. end.
Backed by sandy plain drained by
wadies and extending inland to
partly brush- and tree-covered
hills rising to mts. 13 to 19 mi.
behind beach; isolated sandhills
on plain; Massaua 33 mi. S. of
SE. end.
Backed by sandy, partly brush-
covered plain extending as far as
12% mi. inland to hills rising to
mts. 20 mi. behind beach.
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
Exit cross-country as far as 33 mi.
to coastal track; surfaced road and
single-track narrow-gage RR. lead
inland from Massaua; Class 2
airfield 7% mi. to S.; unclassified
airfield 6 mi. to S.; principal port
at Massaua.
Exit cross-country as far as 3 mi. to
coastal track; surfaced road and
single-track narrow-gage RR. lead
inland from Massaua; Class 2
airfield 4 mi. SW. of SE. end; un-
classified airfield 2X, mi. S. of SE.
end; principal port at Massaua.
Exit cross-country 1,000 yd. to coastal
track.
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CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5 NAVY - JUNE 1962
FIGURE 22-6. MAJOR BEACH
BEACH NUMBER AND
LOCATION
LENGTH AND USABLE
LENGTH
WIDTHS: AT L.W.:
AT H.W.
BEACH GRADIENTS:
L.W. TO 11W.;
H.W. ZONE
APPROACH
(4) Ras Gumudli, W,
at
13?56'N., 41?41'E.
(FEG. 22-26)
(Reliability: FAIR)!
1J4 mi.; concave; termi- 40 to 60 yd. at 1 on 35 to 1 on 55, Nearshore bottom slopes moderate to
nated to N. by fringing L.W.; 10 to 15 L.W. to H.W. 1 mild shoreward of 6-ft. depth con-
reef and to S. by rocky yd. at H.W. on 10 or steeper tour 75 to 350 yd. off 11.W. line;
headland; all usable. in H.W. zone. 18-ft. depth contour 1,100 to 1,600
yd. off 11.W. line; offshore ap-
proach clear; nearshore approach
restricted to bay and partly ob-
structed by seaweed off N. part and
flanked to N. by rocks and to S.
by rocky headland; bottom sand;
anchorage in 27-ft. depth 1 n. mi.
off beach, bottom prob. sand.
NOTE Beach lenggs
in nautical miles
and distances along the coast and inland are expressed in statute miles; distances across water are expressed
except when referring to beach locations. Italicized words refer to terms defined in Subsection A, 4, d.
FIGURE 22-7. MINOR BEACH AREAS OF COASTAL SECTOR 1
(Map reference: FIGURES 22-71 and 22-72)
NUMBER AND LOCATION
REMARKS
I. Centered n. mi. S
coast of Ethiopia
15?31'N., 39?29'E.
(Fru. 22-23)
(Reliability: FIR)
2. Centered 1(1 mi
Malcatto, at
15?05'N., 39?45'
(Reliability: FAI
3. Centered 3% mi.
Sceraier, at
13?49'N., 41?58'
(Fro. 22-27)
(Reliability: FAIR)
4. Centered 1 mi.
Sceraier, at
13?46'N., 42?01'E.
(FIG. 22-27)
(Reliability: FAIR)
5. Centered 11J4 mi.
Darma at
13?12'N., 42?23'
(Reliability: POR)42-
6. Centered 2% mi.
Darma, at
13?12'N., 42?31'
(Reliability: PO 9R)
of Massaua,
(Eritrea), at
S. of Capo
.
)
W. of Ras
.
W. of Ras
W. of Ras
.
SW. of Ras
.
1,700 yd.; concave;
slopes mild; offshore
and submerged shoals;
rocks; bottom mud;
beach backed by
inland to partly brush-
lage 3 mi. to NW.;
leading NW. to surfaced
surfaced road lead
9 mi. to NW.; principal
1,000 yd.; straight; sand;
slopes gentle; offshore
partly obstructed
merged shoal and
of 60 to 120 ft. in
and extending 1J4
behind beach; village
track; another track
900 yd.; straight; sand;
slopes gentle; offshore
point and to SE. by
partly brush-covered
and tree-covered
exit cross-country
450 yd.; straight; sand;
slopes mild; offshore
headland and to W.
by narrow area of
extending inland to
to coastal track.
1,500 yd.; slightly concave;
shore bottom slopes
by submerged shoals;
to 78-ft. depths
plain extending 1
cross-country 1 mi.
at village.
1,500 yd.; concave; sand;
slopes moderate to
submerged shoals;
fleet anchorage in
depths 1 n. mi. off
tending 600 yd. inland
track; unsurfaced
sand; 70 to 110 yd. wide at L.W. and 15 yd. at 11.W.; nearshore bottom
approach restricted to channels between numerous islands, reefs, rocks,
nearshore approach restricted to bay and clear but flanked to E. by
anchorage in 39-ft. depth in N. part of bay, bottom prob. sand and mud;
Sandy, partly brush-covered plain drained by wadies and extending 2 mi.
and tree-covered hills rising to mts. as far as 10 mi. behind beach; vil-
Massaua 7 mi. to N.; exit cross-country 100 to 150 yd. to coastal track
road leading to Massaua; single-track narrow-gage RR. and another
inland from Massaua; Class 2 airfield 8) mi. to NW.; unclassified airfield
port at Massaua. .
40 to 50 yd. wide at L.W. and 10 to 15 yd. at H.W.; nearshore bottom
approach restricted to Golfo di Zula and clear; nearshore approach
by reef about 200 yd. off H.W. line and flanked to E. by reef and sub-
to W. by rocks and reef; bottom sand; fleet anchorage with least depths
Golfo di Zula, bottom mud; beach backed by sandy plain drained by wadies
mi. inland to partly brush- and tree-covered hills rising to mts. 2 mi.
close behind E. part; exit cross-country 900 to 1,000 yd. to coastal
leads S. from village.
20 to 30 yd. wide at L.W. and 5 to 10 yd. at 11.W.; nearshore bottom
approach clear; nearshore approach clear but flanked to NW. by rocky
fringing reef; bottom sand; beach backed by low scarp; in turn backed by
sand dunes extending as far as 600 yd. inland to sandy, partly brush-
plain; all in turn backed by brush- and tree-covered hills rising to mts.;
as far as 2 mi. to coastal track.
30 to 45 yd. wide at L.W. and 10 to 15 yd. at H.W.; nearshore bottom
approach clear; nearshore approach clear but flanked to E. by rocky
by fringing reef; bottom sand; beach backed by low scarp; in turn backed
sand dunes; in turn backed by sandy, partly brush- and tree-covered plain
brush- and tree-covered hills rising to nits.; exit cross-country 1.3 mi.
sand; 75 to 90 yd. wide at L.W. and 15 to 20 yd. at H.W.; near-
mild; offshore approach restricted to Baia di Beilul and partly obstructed
nearshore approach clear; bottom sand and rocks; fleet anchorage in
in Baia di Beilul, bottom prob. sand and rocks; beach backed by sandy
mi, inland to wooded hills rising to rifts.; village close behind beach; exit
to unsurfaced road; track leads inland from village; unclassified airfield
70 to 90 yd. wide at L.W. and 15 to 20 yd. at H.W.; nearshore bottom
mild; offshore approach restricted to Baia di Beilul and partly obstructed by
nearshore approach clear but flanked to W. by island; bottom sand;
42- to 78-ft. depths in Baia di Beilul and another anchorage in 48-ft.
NE. end, bottoms prob. sand and rocks; beach backed by sandy plain ex-
to wooded hills rising to mts.; exit cross-country 1 mi, to coastal
road 5 mi. inland; unclassified airfield 9 mi. W. of beach.
PAGE 22-38
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY ? JUNE 1962 MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
AREAS, SECTOR 1 (Continued)
SURF AND TIDAL RANGE
MATERIAL AND
FIRMNESS
TERRAIN IMMEDIATELY BEHIND
BEACH
EXITS AND COMMUNICATIONS INLAND
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
pected to occur 4% of the time
Oct.?Apr. and infrequently in
all other months; tidal range
DA ft., diurnal.
Sand; firm in wet- Backed by sandy plain drained by Exit cross-country 800 to 1,000 yd. to
ted area, soft wadies, containing scattered rock coastal track; other tracks lead in-
where dry. outcrops, and extending about land from village.
5 mi. inland to partly brush-cov-
ered hills rising to mts.; extensive
lava area to S.; village close be-
hind S. end.
D. Sector 2: French Somaliland
(12?42'N., 43?08'E., to 11?28'N., 43?16'E.)
(FIGURE 22-72; USHO Charts 2819 and 3635)
Sector 2 is about 195 coastline miles long and bor-
ders on Bab el Mandeb (Strait of Mandeb), the
Golfe de Tadjoura, and the Gulf of Aden. The
shores of the northern part of the sector are pre-
dominantly sandy; the southern part consists of
sandy or muddy stretches of shore interrupted by
cliffs and numerous intermittent streams.
Along the Bab el Mandeb and Gulf of Aden
coasts, the shores are primarily backed by flat-to-
gently sloping, sandy coastal plains which extend
as much as 30 miles inland and are covered with
scattered clumps of grass and brush. Rugged
hills and a dissected plateau with isolated moun-
tain peaks back the coastal plains.
Narrow pocket plains are scattered along the
coast of the Golfe de Tadjoura, in turn backed
and flanked by rugged, partly wooded hills and a
mountainous, stream-dissected plateau. In many
places, these highlands terminate in cliffs at the
water's edge.
Two minor beach areas and seven landing places
have been selected; there are no major beach
areas in -the sector. The minor beaches are ap-
proximately 750 yards long and the landing places
range up to almost 400 yards in length. The
Djibouti area is considered the best suited for
large-scale amphibious operations because it pos-
sesses principal port facilities, road and rail clear-
ances, a nearby Class 1 air facility, and large prox-
imate areas of flat-to-undulating terrain. The re-
mainder of the sector is generally unsuitable for
large-scale amphibious operations because of poor
nearshore approaches, lack of roads, or limited
areas of flat terrain.
Offshore approaches to the sector are relatively
unobstructed while nearshore approaches are
principally obstructed by a fringing reef extend-
CONFIDENTIAL
ing throughout most of the sector. There are no
fleet anchorages.
Sector 2 has only one principal and two minor
ports. The principal port is at Djibouti, which is
also the only significant urban area. Tadjoura
and Obock, the minor ports, have little urban sig-
nificance except that they are permanent settle-
ments. Most of French Somaliland is inhabited
by a nomadic population, and there are only a
very few widely scattered villages on the coastal
plain. The largest population density is centered
at Djibouti. A Class 1 air facility and Class 7 sea-
plane station are located here also.
On the whole, land transportation routes are
very poor and consist essentially of scattered
tracks and trails. There is only one main hard-
surfaced road in the sector which extends about
22 miles inland west-southwest from Djibouti and
then continues as a track to the Ethiopian border
(Coastal Segment [2]). In addition to this road,
there is one principal coastal track which trav-
erses the length of Coastal Segment [1] from 700
yards to 4 miles inland and serves the coastal
plain in the northern part of the sector. Another
coastal track serves the southern coastal plain
and lies 500 yards to 1 mile inland between Dji-
bouti and the Somali Republic. There is only one
railroad in the sector, a single-track meter-gage
(3'3%") line which runs southwest from Djibouti
to Addis Ababa. Cross-country movement over
the coastal plain is relatively unimpeded although
clayey sands would make such movement difficult
during rainy periods. Movement inland in the
plateau regions backing the plains is for the most
part extremely difficult because of the rugged
terrain.
A Class 1 air facility at Djibouti is suitable for
helicopter landings. With the exception of the
mountain regions, additional landing sites are
readily available on the coastal plain and inland
plateaus; however, loose sand and dust storms may
be obstacles at times.
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
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NAVY - JUNE 1962
CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5
Sector 2 has a
mate. While the
period of May th
hottest, with me
95? F. to 105? F.
sea breezes may p
wind patterns at
winds are prima
during the period
from the southw
June through Au
rection during the
September. Along
annual rainfall is much less than 10 inches; the
rainfall probably does not exceed 20 inches in the
highlands. In terms of ground operations, the
most important weather phenomena are sporadic
sandstorms and t1ie flash flooding of the streams
following periods o rain.
hot, dry monsoonal type of cli-
area is hot the year round, the
ough September is usually the
n maximum temperatures of
t Djibouti. Whereas land and
edominate at times, the general
e monsoonal in nature. The
ly from the eastern quadrant
October through April; winds
stern quadrant prevail during
rust. Winds are variable in di-
transitional months of May and
the coastal lowlands the mean
1. Coast
Coastal Segment. [1], Ethiopia - French Somali-
land border to Cap IC)bock (65 coastline miles; USHO
Charts 2819 and 3 35)
General?A low coastal plain extends through-
out the segment nd is backed by a mountainous
region with spur which interrupt the plain in
several places (FI URES 22-29, 22-30, and 22-72).
The shores are p edominantly sandy and broken
only by seasonal streams and several inlets 0,nd
coves. The plain is variable in width, virtually
desert, and cover d with sparse vegetation. The
mountain region las many intervening valleys and
gullies; near the cast, the streams flowing in the
valleys and gullie are shallow and subject to ex-
tensive flooding curing the rains. Offshore ap-
proaches are gen rally clear while nearshore ap-
proaches are prin ipally obstructed by a fringing
reef extending th oughout most of the segment.
Anchorage is av4iiabie off Ile DoumeIra, Ras
Siyan, and in a sitiall bay east of Cap Obock.
In general, the oastal area is not favorable for
amphibious operations because of the lack of
landing beach arias; however, the three landing
places selected can probably accommodate small
amphibious landi gs. Cross-country movement
over the plain is in general good except during
rainy periods; m ement through the mountain
region would be difficult or impossible due to
steep-sided slopes nd deep gorges. A sparse net-
work of widely sc ttered tracks and trails serves
the coastal zone, 4nd there are no air facilities.
Shore and coas al terrain?A low sandy plain
extends througho t the coastal zone, in turn
backed by a moun ainous region which also inter-
rupts the plain in several places. The shores are
predominantly sa4dy (three landing places) and
are backed by a desert plain, variable in width,
and sparsely covered with vegetation consisting of
grass and brush which grow mainly along the sea-
sonal streams. The mountain region consists
mainly of lava beds which have been faulted and
uplifted into mountain ranges and plateaus; val-
leys and gullies dissect the mountain region.
Ras Doumelra is a clifflike projection rising over
150 feet above the surrounding plain at the north-
ern extremity of the segment. Ile Doumelra, a
cliffy island whose highest summit is 262 feet,
lies about 700 yards eastward of Ras Doumeira
(FiouRE 22-29). The northern part of the plain
extends 24 miles from Ras DoumeIra southeast-
ward to Ras Siyan, a promontory connected with
the mainland by a low, sandy narrow neck of land
(FIGURE 22-30). The northern side of this prom-
ontory is rocky and precipitous and rises to a red-
dish volcanolike peak almost 500 feet high. Situ-
ated from 21/2 to 71/2 n. miles off Ras Siyan on an
east - west axis are a group of six rocky islets
known as Djeziret Seba. On the largest and north-
ernmost of the islets is a conspicuous peak 370
feet high. Between Ras Doumelra and Ras Siyan
the shores of the plain are sandy and unbroken
except for several intermittent streams. The
shores are backed by small dunes up to 16 feet
in height and are composed of a clayey sand
which also forms the main surface of the plain.
The plain reaches a maximum width of 15 miles
before elevations of 600 feet or more are reached.
However, the plain narrows down to about a 3-mile
minimum west of Ras Siyan where outliers of the
inland mountain range all but cut off the north-
ern part of the plain from the central part.
The central part of the plain lies between Ras
Siyan and Godoria, about 18 miles to the south-
east, and is almost hemmed in at its north and
south boundaries by mountain spurs. Unlike the
northern part of the plain which is sandy and al-
most uninterrupted, the central part is interrupted
throughout by outliers consisting of several large
isolated tabular massifs with clifflike slopes rising
to a maximum height of over 900 feet. The
shores of the central plain are sandy but more
irregular than in the north. There are two man-
grove-bordered inlets, 4 and 8 miles south-south-
east of Ras Siyan. These inlets are separated
from the sea by sandy barrier bars and during the
rainy season are subject to extensive flooding by
the streams emptying into them. There are also
several indentations for a distance of about 6 miles
northwest of Godoria, and the shore is backed by
flat-topped uplands and peaks rising to about 750
feet close to the shore. The central plain has a
maximum width of about 12 miles but narrows
again along its southern end where there are
mountain peaks 8 miles west of Godoria.
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NAVY JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
Southward from Godoria to Cap Obock the
coastal plain is unbroken and again widens to a
maximum width of about 18 miles. About 3 miles
south of Godoria a mangrove-filled inlet inter-
rupts the otherwise regular shore. This inlet,
like those on the central part of the coast, is sub-
ject to flash flooding by the normally dry streams
feeding into it. For about 10 miles south of Go-
doria the coast remains low and sandy and then
for a distance of 5 miles the land begins to rise
and reaches its highest point at Ras Bir, a cliffy
promontory about 100 feet high which also marks
the northern entrance point to the Golfe de
Tadjoura. The cliffed coast extends westward
about 5 miles, almost to Cap Obock. A small bay
just east of Cap Obock is bordered by the escarp-
ment, which along the northern side of the bay
reaches a maximum height of about 80 feet. On
the western side of the bay, the escarpment is in-
terrupted by a large seasonal river, which is con-
fined to a gorgelike valley. Behind the escarp-
ments, the coastal area is a flat plateau interrupted
in places by seasonal streams.
Approaches?The approaches to the segment
are generally deep but in the strait of Bab el Man-
deb they are confined to a channel that is about
10 n. miles wide between the French Somaliland
mainland and Perim Island, located off the south-
westernmost point of the Arabian Peninsula.
Deep water lies relatively close to the shores of
the coastal segment. An irregular 20-fathom
curve lies 3 n. miles off the northern end, widens
to 6 n. miles off the center part, and narrows to
2 n. miles near the southern end. Off Ras Bir,
near the southern end of the segment, the in-
crease in depth brings the 100-fathom curve to
within 1 n. mile of the shore. The 5-fathom curve
is situated about 500 yards off Cap Obock, but it
is generally uncharted along the remainder of the
segment.
The offshore approaches are generally clear ex-
cept off Ras Doumeira, Ras Siyan, and in the
small bay at Cap Obock. About 700 yards east
of Ras Doitmelra is Ile Doumeira, a small rocky
islet surrounded by shoals, reefs, and above and
below water rocks. From 21/2 to 71/2 n. miles east
of Ras Siyan is Djeziret Seba, a group of six
abrupt rocky islets. There are rocks around the
islets and depths in the vicinity are irregular. Off
Ras Siyan there are additional shoals and obstruc-
tions which include a dangerous wreck about
13/4 n, miles north of the point. In the small bay
east of Cap Obock shoals and drying reefs lie across
the entrance, limiting passage into the bay to two
channels. The channel at the western entrance is
the only one which is suitable for use.
CONFIDENTIAL
The nearshore approaches to the segment are
obstructed almost everywhere by a fringing reef
that extends as far as 1 n. mile from the shore.
Rocks are charted along the shore that extends
about 8 miles north from Ras Bir, and it is pos-
sible that rocks exist off other parts of the coast
as well. The reef in the bay east of Cap Obock un-
covers up to 1 foot. A lack of soundings elsewhere
precludes an estimate of water depths near the
shores, but it is probable the seaward edge of the
reefs uncovers at low water.
Ports and urban areas?There is a minor port
at Opock, at the southern end of the segment, and
urban areas are confined to a few small perma-
nent settlements of which Obock is probably the
largest. The inhabitants in the area are nomadic
and their presence on the plain depends on the
availability of water and pasture which varies
from year to year.
Routes of communications?The main transpor-.
tation route on the plain is a coastal track that
lies between 700 yards and 4 miles from the shore
and traverses the length of the segment. An-
other track extends northward from Obock
through the mountains, and from it a branching
route connects with the coastal track about 8 miles
south of Ras Siyan. There are no railroads. Ex-
cept for detached hills, which can be bypassed,
cross-country movement on the plain is unimpeded;
however, during the rainy periods, movement is
severely restricted by the sandy clay soil, which
becomes slippery, and by the flash flooding of the
intermittent streams. Movement of vehicles in
the mountainous hinterland is generally impossible
because of the steep slopes and the many deep
gorges. Movement of foot troops in the mountains
is limited essentially to the intervening valleys and
streambeds, except during the periods when flood-
ing occurs.
Helicopter landings?There are no classified air
facilities, but many areas on the plains are suit-
able for helicopter landings. Because of irregu-
lar surfaces, there are no helicopter landing areas
in the mountains.
Coastal Segment [2], Cap Obock to French So-
maliland Somali Republic border (130 coastline
miles; USHO Chart 3635)
General?The coastal zone consists mostly of a
coastal plain which is discontinuous throughout
most of the segment except in the southeastern
part along the Gulf of Aden where it widens con-
siderably and extends into the Somali Republic
(FIGURES 22-31 through 22-33 and 22-72). A
high plateau and mountain region back or inter-
rupt the plain, and in many places the uplands
rise from the sea or from immediately behind the
shores. Offshore approaches are in general clear,
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CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5
whereas nearshol approaches are obstructed
throughout by a fringing reef. There are nurner-
ous anchorages s attered throughout the seg-
ment, the majorit of which are only suitable for
small craft.
Although two m nor beach areas and four land-
ing places have be n selected in' the segment, the
coastal area is not generally suitable for amphibi-
ous operations due principally to limited areas of
flat terrain, inadequate transportation routes,
and poor nearsho
tions are probably
bouti, a principal
road and railroad c
Cross-country
stretches of flat t
ern coastal plain i
through the sever
tainous regions is
work, which is poc
passable during r
cility and a Class
Djibouti.
Shore and coo
sandy (minor bea
places; FIGURES 2
interrupted by cl
Backing the shore
pocket plains, in
rugged hills and
e approaches. Landing condi-
best on a minor beach at Dji-
port from which there is good
earance.
movement over the limited
rrain and the broad southeast-
mostly unimpeded; movement
ely dissected, hilly and moun-
poor. The transportation net-
^ during the dry season, is im-
iny periods. A Class 1 air fa-
seaplane station are located at
stal terrain?The shores are
h areas 7 and 8, and 4 landing
-31 through 22-33) or muddy,
ifs and intermittent streahis.
for the most part are narrow
turn backed and flanked by
mountainous plateau, which
in Places reach to the water's edge. Southeast of
Djibouti, however, the mountains are fronted by
a broad plain.
On the norther4 side of the Golfe de Tadjoura,
from Cap Obock 55 miles southwest to the en-
trance of Ghubbe Kharab, an almost completely
landlocked bay at the head of the gulf, there are
sandy or muddy tretches of shore interspersed
by cliffs and esca pments. The sandy stretches
front on small po kets of low terrain located at
the mouths of st earns flowing from the maim-
tains. Escarpments closely back the narrow
plains and extend west-southwestward from pap
Obock along the
miles to the vicini
carpments the ter
with heights of 1,
oast for a distance of about 30
y of Ras Ali. Behind these es-
ain rises in a series of plateaus
00 to 2,200 feet located 3 to 5
miles inland, respectively. Farther inland, nioim-
tains rise from the plateau and reach heights of
over 4,000 feet.
West of Ras Ali, the sandy shores (three land-
ing places; FIGUI4 22-31) are backed by a low,
brush-covered coastal plain which extends about
20 miles to the southwest. This plain is partly
wooded and has a maximum width of 3 miles at a
small village about 9 miles west of Ras Ali. Back-
ing the plain is a 1iigh tableland capped by moun-
PAGE 22-42
NAVY - JUNE 1962
tains with heights up to 5,600 feet. These high-
lands are deeply incised by intermittent streams
into narrow, twisting valleys with many tributary
ravines and gullies. The western flanks of the
highlands are particularly rugged and broken and
extremely arid with little vegetation apart from
brush. The lower east-facing slopes are well
wooded although the trees are widely spaced,
while on the higher slopes the Vegetation becomes
quite dense, and there is a fair amount of under-
growth. Near the entrance to Ghubbet Kharab
the sandy shores are closely backed by barren
cliffs.
Ghubbet Kharab has a circumference of about
33 miles with a narrow entrance divided by a
small island. The bay is irregular in shape, hav-
ing several indentations with sandy stretches of
shore, and is almost surrounded by steep cliffs at
or close to the water's edge.
From Ghubbet Kharab for about 30 miles east-
ward to Djibouti, sandy shores, mostly formed by
the outwashes of intermittent streams, alternate
with cliffy sections of coast. These cliffs, which
form most of the coast, are very steep and rocky
and rise either from sandy shores or from the
water's edge to as much as 500 feet high. At
Pointe des Boutres, just east of the southern en-
trance point of Ghubbet Kharab, there is a small
bight with a sand-and-gravel beach (minor beach
area 7; FIGURE 22-32) fringing a small, partly sandy
and partly brush-covered valley. Backing the val-
ley are brush-covered steep-sided hills and high
sheer cliffs rising to a broken plateau over 1,000
feet high.
The dissected high plateau and mountains
which back the coast gradually descend to high
hills toward the east. At Ras Eiro, a narrow, high
rocky point 10 miles east of Ghubbet Kharab, the
mountains reach their maximum height of almost
2,500 feet, 5 miles inland. Nine miles farther east-
ward, however, hills about 750 feet high lie 3
miles inland. East of this point, the escarpment
backing the shores recedes inland and peters out
in the low terrain which forms the northern ex-
tension of a large coastal plain lying southeast of
Djibouti. Along the northern extension of the
plain the shores are muddy and partly covered
with mangrove; the most extensive belt of man-
grove fringes the deltalike outwash of a large sea-
sonal river 11/2 miles west of Djibouti. Inland of
the plain, high& terrain is formed by a series of
terraces. Behind the mountain region backing
the southern coast of the Golfe de Tadjoura are
scattered interior sandy plains surrounded by
higher plateaus and mountains.
On the eastern side of the hook-shaped penin.-
sula on which Djibouti is located, there are sandy
shores (minor beach area 8; FIGURE 22-33), backed
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NAVY JUNE 1962 MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
by a densely populated, flat sandy isthmus. West
and southeast of Djibouti large saltpans are the
most prominent cultural feature of the low ter-
rain. From Djibouti about 12 miles southeast to
Loyada, at the southern end of the segment, the
shores are mostly sandy, but in places become
muddy and covered with mangrove. Behind the
shores the coastal plain, about 4 miles wide at
Djibouti, broadens to a maximum width of 30
miles at Loyada. This small village is situated
near the center of a sandy bight (one landing
place). The plain, which extends into the Somali
Republic (Subsector 3-A), is generally undu-
lating but has many isolated hills and level
stretches. Wide expanses of sandy and stony des-
ert are incised by numerous intermittent streams.
The plain is backed by a high plateau with isolated
peaks reaching heights of over 4,000 feet.
The largest islands in the Golfe de Tadjoura are
the Iles Moucha, centered about 9 n. miles north-
east of Djibouti, at the entrance to the gulf. This
group of coral islands and islets, lie on a reef and
attain a height of about 40 feet. Ile Ouaramos
Is a small escarpment-encircled islet lying on the
coastal reef 3 n. miles southeast of Djibouti.
Approaches?The coastal segment borders prin-
cipally on the Golfe de Tadjoura with a small por-
tion in the southeastern part fronting the Gulf
of Aden. Deep water lies relatively close offshore
except for the part southeast of Djibouti where
the 10-fathom curve lies up to 4 n. miles offshore
and an irregularly charted 5-fathom curve lies as
far as 2 n. miles offshore.
A group of coral islands, Iles Moucha, lie in the
offshore approaches to the Golfe de Tadjoura and
also obstruct the approaches to Djibouti. These
islands are completely surrounded by rocks, reefs,
and a large shoal area with least depths of 1/4 to
21/2 fathoms extending from 1 to 2 n. miles off-
shore. Additional shoals and reefs between Iles
Moucha and Djibouti further obstruct the ap-
proaches to the latter. One passage to the port
passes northward of Iles Moucha and is over 7 n.
miles wide and clear of dangers while the other
passage lies southward of these islands and is at
least 31/2 h. miles wide in its narrowest part. Ap-
proaches to the inner parts of the gulf are in gen-
eral clear.
Offshore approaches to the most southern part
of the segment, between Djibouti and Loyada, are
encumbered by several drying reefs located from
2 to 4 n. miles offshore. Approaches from the
southeast are also obstructed by islands, reefs,
and shoals.
Approaches to Ghubbet Kharab are obstructed
by a rocky islet, which divides the entrance into
two passages. Only the northern passage is navi-
CONFIDENTIAL
gable. Once inside the bay, the approaches are
generally clear.
In the nearshore approaches the principal ob-
struction is a discontinuous fringing reef. This
reef, with as little as 1/4 fathom over it in many
places, is narrow throughout most of the seg-
ment; however, southeast of Djibouti, it extends
as far as 13/4 n. miles off the coast and continues
with few interruptions beyond the southern end
of the segment. Elsewhere, including the bay
of Ghubbet Kharab, numerous rocks and shoals
lie in the nearshore approaches. In the Djibouti
area there are extensive mudflats and reefs with
foul, rocky ground which uncover up to 5 feet and
extend from I/2 to 11/2 n. miles offshore.
Ports and urban areas?Djibouti, the capital of
French Somaliland, is the only principal port, and
Tadjoura the only minor port in the segment.
Djibouti is strategically situated on an impor-
tant shipping lane and handles the greater part
of Ethiopia's maritime- commerce, a very impor-
tant factor in the port's activity. The port has
good road and railroad clearances. Djibouti is also
the only important urban area in French Somali-
land.
The minor port of Tadjoura has local impor-
tance as a trading and communications center,
and as a provincial capital, is one of the few per-
manent settlements on the northern side of the
Golfe de Tadjoura in an otherwise nomadic area.
Routes of communication?The only main hard-
surfaced road in French Somaliland leads inland
west-southwest for about 22 miles from Djibouti;
thereafter it becomes a loose-surfaced track ex-
tending to the Ethiopian border. This track is
passable only to vehicles with special equipment
due to deep sand and is impassable when wet. An
earthen track also extends along the coast south-
east from Djibouti, from 500 yards to 1 mile in-
land, across a tidal mudflat to Loyada and con-
tinues to the minor port of Zeila in the Somali
Republic; however, the track is impassable .at
high tides and during heavy rains. Elsewhere,
the segment is poorly served by a sparse network
of tracks and trails. The only railroad in the seg-
ment, as well as within the sector, is a single-
track meter-gage railroad which links Djibouti
with Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital and princi-
pal city.
Cross-country movement throughout much of
the segment is severely limited by the hills and
mountains backing most of the shores. Exits
from the shores and through the mountains, par-
ticularly on the northern side of the Golfe de
Tadjoura, are restricted to scattered tracks and
trails. Movement on the coastal plain south of
Djibouti and the flat portions of the inland pla-
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CONFIDENTIAL
NIS 55 NAVY-JUNE 1962
FIGURE 22-8. MINOR BEACH AREAS OF COASTAL SECTOR 2
(Map reference: FIGURE 22-67)
NUMBER AND LOQATION
REMARKS
7. Centered 1 mi. SE. cf Pointe des
Boutres, coast of French
Somaliland, at
11?33'N., 42?42'E
(Reliability: POO
8. E. side of tombola at Djibouti, at
11?36'N., 43?09'E.
(FIG. 22-33)
(Reliability: POO
780 yd.; concave; sand and gravel; 50 yd. wide at L.W. and 15 yd. at H.W.; nearshore bottom
slopes steep; offshore approach clear but restricted to Golfe de Tadjoura; nearshore approach
clear but flanked to E. by reef-fringed islands; bottom sand; anchorage with least depths of
90 to 102 ft., 650 yd. off H.W. line, bottom sand; beach backed by partly sandy and partly
brush-covered valley extending 700 yd. inland; valley in turn backed and flanked by brush-
covered steep-sided hills and high, sheer cliffs rising to dissected plateau; exit cross-country
70 yd. to coastal trail leading E.; surfaced road 16 mi. to E.
750 yd.; concave; sand; 200 to 500 yd. wide at L.W. and 50 yd. at H.W.; nearshore bottom
slopes flat; offshore approach clear; nearshore approach restricted to 500-yd.-wide channel
through fringing reef and clear; bottom sand and mud; anchorage in 24-ft. depth 93 n. mi. SE.,
bottom prob. sand and mud; beach on flat sandy strip of tombola 200 to 300 yd. wide and
partly covered with trees; RR. embankment 75 yd. behind beach; Djibouti 100 yd. inland;
numerous building a on tombolo; exit cross-country to tracks or trails leading 50 to 80 yd.
to single-track meter-gage RR. and 200 to 400 yd. to surfaced road; Class 1 airfield close S.
of Djibouti; Class 7 seaplane station in bay behind beach; principal port at Djibouti.
tea u is relatively lunimpeded during dry weather
although duststor s are a frequent hazard. Dur-
ing rainy periods itnovement is difficult due to soft
sand and clay sur aces which become slippery,
Helicopter landi g areas?A Class 1 air facility
at Djibouti is su table for helicopter landings.
Additional landin sites are readily available on
the coastal plains and on parts of the plateaus.
Loose sand and uststorms may be temporary
obstacles. Exits firom the landing areas are pri-
marily by cross-C untry movement or by tracks
and trails; howev r, along the southern coaStal
plain the road a d railroad running southwest
from Djibouti an the coastal track extending
southeast from t at port are readily accessible.
2. Landing beae es
There are no ajar beach areas in Sector 2;
however, there are two minor beach areas and
seven landing ph ces. One minor beach is lo-
cated in a bight ear the head of the Golfe de
Tadjoura and the uther on the east side of a sandy
tombolo at Djibo ti. The landing places are lo-
cated in the vicin y of the villages of Obock and
Tadjoura on the n rth shore of Golfe de Tadjoura
and near the French Somaliland - Somali Repub-
lic border.
The coasts in t is sector, in general, are un-
suitable for amphi ious landings because of fring-
ing steep cliffs and mountainous terrain. Al-
though no areas long these coasts are consid-
ered ideal for a phibious landings, the minor
beaches and landi g places selected are in areas
where approache , beach characteristics, a,nd
exits to the inland terrain most nearly meet the
requirements for amphibious landings.
Minor beach 8 iconsidered the best suited for
an amphibious lan4ling because of its favorable ap-
proaches and phys'cal characteristics, and the ex-
PAGE 22-44
cellent routes of communication from the beach
area.
The beach material of the minor beaches and
the landing places consists of sand or sand mixed
with gravel. The approaches are clear and an-
chorages are in the vicinity of these landing areas.
Exits are by cross-country movement to tracks
or trails and surfaced roads. Minor ports are near
the landing places at Obock and Tadjoura.
Diurnal tides range from 4 to 51/2 feet in this
sector. The expected average occurrence of surf
4 feet or greater is infrequent during all months
in this sector.
Tabular descriptions for the minor beaches are
given in FIGURE 2278. Location of the minor
beaches and landing places are shown on the lo-
cation map, FIGURE 22-72.
E. Sector 3: Somali Republic and Socotra
and adjacent islands
11?28'N., 43?16'E. to 1?40'S., 41?34'E.
(FiaurtEs 22-72 through 22-75; USHO Charts
1586, 3881, 3882 and BA5660)
Sector 3 consists of about 2,155 coastline miles
and includes the mainland of the Somali Republic
as well as Socotra and the adjacent islands, which
are a part of the Aden Protectorate. The Somalia
coast is fronted by the Gulf of Aden on the north
and by the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean on
the east. Socotra and the adjacent islands lie in
the Arabian Sea near the eastern end of the Gulf
of Aden.
The mainland and island shores are composed
mostly of sand, though there is some rock and
mud, the latter occurring mostly along the south-
westernmost part of the sector. The shores are
separated and are in most places backed by rocky
slopes, cliffs, and bluffs which range from heights
of about 400 feet to low wave-cut scarps and sand
dunes. In the sector there are 16 major beach
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NAVY - JUNE 1962 MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
areas, 8 minor beach areas, and 15 landing places
on the mainland and 3 major beach areas and 3
landing places on Socotra and the adjacent
islands. In general, the beach areas are widely
scattered, with the largest concentrations on the
eastern part of the north coast and the south-
western part of the east coast. The major beach
areas on the mainland vary from 11/4 to 40 miles
and the minor beach areas range from 400 to
1,720 yards in length. Most of the beach areas
are backed by barren sandy ground on which
there are towns, villages, and settlements.
The most suitable areas on the mainland for
large-scale amphibious operations are at Berbera
and Bender Cassim on the north coast and at
Itala on the east coast. Heavy breakers will limit
use of the east coast area during the southwest
monsoon and transition periods. Bluffs, cliffs, ob-
structed approaches, lack of roads, or limited areas
of flat terrain make the remaining beach areas
generally unfavorable for large-scale amphibious
operations. Socotra and the adjacent islands
have limited areas of coastal plains and are gen-
erally hilly and mountainous, making large-scale
amphibious operations generally infeasible, but
the best area is a short stretch along the central
part of the north coast.
The coast on the north and northeasternmost
part of the mainland is a series of generally nar-
row plains, separated by hilly-to-mountainous
spurs and ridges that extend to the sea from the
highly dissected rugged hills and mountains of the
hinterland. Along the east coast there is an ex-
tensive plateau that slopes from elevations of 200
to 400 feet in the north to a gently inclined plain
that is little above the general level of the sea in
the south. The northern part of this plain is con-
fined by mountains to general widths of 5 to 25
miles, but it progressively broadens to over 100
miles before elevations of 1,000 feet are reached.
Detached hills and low mountains are scattered
over the plains and close inland of the bluffs and
cliffs on the northern and central part of the
east coast are long, generally narrow, rocky and
sandy terraces that are backed by high, steep es-
carpments. Sandhills lie between the terraces
and generally extend in long lines close behind
the shores bordering the southern part of the
sector. The plains on the north and northeast
coasts are intersected by many intermittent
streams, most of which are deeply entrenched in
their lower reaches. A broad region on the cen-
tral part of the east coast is almost entirely de-
void of streams. On the southern part of the east
coast there are two long perennial rivers, the Uebi
Scebeli and Fiume Giuba, and a number of small
streams, most of which are intermittent. The
tebi Scebeli is subject to seasonal flooding, some-
times devastating large areas. The perennial riv-
ers are bordered by areas of marsh and swamp
and several places along the southernmost part
of the coast are covered with mangrove. On the
southern part of the plain there is considerable
vegetation with broad areas of pastureland and
some cultivation. Elsewhere in the sector the
plains are virtually desert, although a broad area
on the westernmost part of the north coast is
inundated by flooding streams during the rainy
period. Broad areas are barren sand and rock;
however, the greater part of the plains are
sparsely covered with scattered clumps of grass
and brush which generally increase in density
toward the interior.
Socotra and the adjacent islands are mainly
hilly to mountainous with only limited areas of
coastal plains. Cliffs rise directly from the sea
or close behind sandy shores along most of the
coastal areas. Only on Socotra are there plains
areas behind some of the sandy shores.
Except for scattered islets, rocks, shoals, and
reefs near the shores, the seaward approaches to
the coast are in general deep and unobstructed.
The obstructions extend as far as 22 n. miles from
the westernmost part of the north coast, and
along the southernmost part of the east coast ob-
structions are within the 6-fathom curve that
ranges up to 5 n. miles offshore. Between these
two obstructed areas the dangers are mostly
within 1 n. mile of the shores; however, unob-
structed deep water fronts the coasts in many
places.
Anchorages are scattered along the coasts of
the mainland, but most of them are exposed to
the monsoon winds. On the north coast, Zeila
and Berbera have partial protection. The only
protected anchorage on the east coast is at Chisi-
maio.
The only classified ports are the ten minor
ports, which are equally distributed along the
north and east coasts of the sector. There are
also several places where cargoes are handled over
the shores. The ports are generally at the loca-
tions of the largest urban areas; Mogadiscio, the
capital, is the most important. In the interven-
ing areas between the ports there are scattered
villages and settlements, the populations of which
are seasonally increased by the pastoral nomads,
the principal inhabitants of the country.
In general, land transportation in the sector is
poor. The principal routes are surfaced and un-
surfaced roads which link most of the ports and
large urban areas. The best roads are located on
the southern part of the east coast where com-
mercial activity is largely concentrated. Aug-
menting the sparse network of roads are tracks
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CONFXDENTIAL
N I S 5 5 NAVY - JUNE 1962
which closely parallel the greater part of the
shore and link m
near the shores a
Giuba, one of the
em part of the e
shallow-draft craft
Vehicles can. move
coastal plains, an
as great a handic
tainous hinterlan
country movemen
st of the wells and waterholes
d in the interior. The Fiume
perennial rivers on the south-
st coast, can be navigated by
as far as 300 miles upstream.
cross-country over much of the
the lack of roads there is not
p as it is in the hilly-to-moun-
. Major barriers to cross-
t on the plains are scattered
dunes, escarpment, hills, low mountains, swamps,
marshes, and deeply entrenched streams.
Six classified aii facilities are in the sector and
are equally distri uted on the north and east
coasts. Several a'rfields are also located in the
interior. There are no classified seaplane $ta-
tions; however, se plane landing areas are located
at Berbera,. BendOr Cassim, Dante, Brava, Chisi-
maio, and Mogad'scio. In addition to the classi-
fied air facilities, there are large areas on the
plains which are suitable for helicopter landings.
A hot, dry monsoonal type of climate prevails
over all of Sector 13 but there are slight seasonal
differences between the Gulf of Aden coast and
Indian Ocean coast. Mean daily maximum tem-
peratures of 85? to 1100 prevail over the Gulf of
Aden coast, with I May through September being
the hottest months. Slightly cooler tempera-
tures occur along the Indian Ocean coast.
While land and sea breezes may predominate at
times, the genera wind patterns are monsoonal
in nature. Along the gulf of Aden coast, winds
are primarily froltn the east and northeast dur-
ing October thro gh April, while winds from the
southwestern qua rant predominate during June
through August. Winds are variable in direction
during the transi ional months of May and Sep-
tember. Along tI4e Indian Ocean coast, winds are
generally from tie northeast and north during
November through March, while winds are pre-
dominantly from he southwest and south during
May through September. April and October are
transitional with variable wind directions.
A mean annu 1 rainfall of 10 inches or less
occurs over the lo lands of all of the Gulf of Aden
coast and the no them half of the Indian Ocean
coast. Greater r infall prevails along the south-
ern half of the ndian Ocean coast and the lit-
toral highlands t roughout the sector. In terms
of ground operati ns, the most important weather
phenomena are tie sporadic sandstorms and the
flash flooding of treams following periods of rain.
Climatic data Were lacking for Socotra and adja-
cent islands, but presumably the climate for these
islands would approximate that of the adjacent
mainland coast.
PAGE 22-46
1. Subsector 3-A: French Somaliland - Somali
Republic border to Capo Guardafui
11?28'N., 43?16'E. to 11?50'N., 51?17'E.
(FiouREs 22-72 and 22-73) USHO Chart
1586)
Subsector 3-A extends about 625 coastline
miles from the French Somaliland - Somali Re-
public border to Capo Guardafui, the northeast-
ern extremity of the "Horn of Africa." The
shores are predominantly sand and are almost
everywhere backed by bluffs and cliffs which are
mostly between 12 and 25 feet high. Seven major
beach areas, six minor beach areas, and seven
landing places have been selected in places where
the terrain grades gently inland from the shores.
The terrain behind the shores consists of gener-
ally narrow arid plains which are separated by
spurs ?and ridges that extend to the sea from
rugged highly dissected hills and mountains of the
hinterland. The plains, intersected by many in-
termittent streams, range from narrow margins
up to about 25 miles in width and are interspersed
with detached hills and mountains. The inter-
mittent streams in the westernmost part of the
subsector are shallow, and many of the larger
ones flow into lagoons, tidal inlets, and swampy
areas that fringe and back the shore. During
rainy periods, these streams overflow and inun-
date broad areas. Elsewhere, the lower limits of
the main streams are in general deeply en-
trenched; however, some streams disappear in the
porous sandy ground before they reach the sea.
The dominant vegetation on the plains is clump
grass and brush, widely scattered in most places,
but increasing in density along the courses of the
larger streams.
The subsector is generally unfavorable for large-
scale amphibious landings primarily because of
difficult terrain and poor transportation routes.
The areas most suitable for large-scale amphibious
operations are in the vicinity of Berbera and Ben-
der Cassim where there are broad coastal plains
and roads and tracks lead over the hills and moun-
tains into the interior. Air and minor port facili-
ties are also available at these areas.
The sea approaches to the coast are clear, ex-
cept for islets, reefs, and shoals near the coast.
The obstructions are most extensive in the west-
ernmost part of the subsector where they lie as
far as 21 n. miles offshore. Elsewhere they are
widely scattered and lie mostly within 1 n. mile
of the shore. There are many anchorages in the
subsector, but only those at Zeila and Berbera
have partial protection.
The minor ports of Zeila, Berbera, Bender Cas-
sim, Candala, and Alula are the most important
coastal urban areas of the widely scattered small
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
CONFIDENTIAL
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY-JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
towns, villages, and settlements. There is perma-
nent habitation in most of the urban areas that
seasonally is augmented by nomads which are the
principal inhabitants in the subsector.
Communication routes in the subsector consist
of a sparse network of roads and tracks. The
main routes both parallel the shores and extend
southward over the hills and mountains, princi-
pally from the minor ports. Cross-country move-
ment over the plains is good in some areas, but
in most places it is .impeded either by hills, moun-
tains, and sand dunes, or by entrenched steep-
sided intermittent streams. Close behind the
shore in the westernmost part of the subsector
movement is also impeded by swamps, inlets, and
lagoons.
Class 2 air facilities are at Bender Cassim and
Alula and a Class 4 airfield is located at Berbera.
There are also unclassified seaplane stations at
Berbera and Bender Cassim. Two Class 2, one
Class 3, and one Class 4 facilities are located in
the interior between 57 and 120 miles from the
shores. In addition to the airfields, there are
large areas on the plains where helicopters can
land.
a. Coast
Coastal Segment [1], French Somaliland - So-
mali Republic border to Ras Khanzira (215 coast-
line miles; USHO Chart 2816)
General?The coastal area is a comparatively
flat plain about 5 to 23 miles wide and fronted in
most places by low bluffs which rise from narrow
shores that are composed mostly of sand (FIGURES
22-34 through 22-39 and 22-72). The plain is in-
tersected by intermittent streams that terminate
in lagoons, marshes, swamps, and sand-blocked
inlets which are most numerous on the western
part of the segment. Barren sandy areas, some
of which are surmounted by dunes, back the shore
in places, and detached hills and mountains rise
from the central and eastern part of the plain.
Sea approaches to the western shore are almost
entirely obstructed, to the eastern shore they are
partly obstructed, and along central part they
are mostly clear. A roadstead at Zeila and a har-
bor ?at Berbera, both minor ports, afford partly
protected anchorages.
Three major beach areas and two minor beaches
are in the segment. In general, the coastal area
is not favorable for amphibious landings, primarily
because of obstructions in the sea approaches and
poor exits into the interior. The best area for
landing is in the vicinity of Berbera where there
is a minor port and an airfield, and where sur-
faced roads extend southward into the interior.
Except for these roads and an unsurfaced road
connecting with Zeila, there is only a sparse net-
work of tracks. , Movement across the plain is
only fair, primarily because of loose sand and de-
tached hills and mountains. Movement into the
interior is poor because of the mountains backing
the plain. A Class 4 airfield and an unclassified
seaplane facility are located at Berbera, and a
Class 2 airfield is located about 90 miles south-
westward at Hargeisa.
Shore and coastal terrain?The shores are in
general sandy (major beach area (5) through (7)
and minor beach areas 9 and 10; FIGURES 22-36
through 22-38), but there are some stretches of
mud. The muddy shores border and flank the
lagoons and inlets that are most numerous along
the western part, widely separated on the central
part, and almost entirely absent along the eastern
end of the segment. Sandspits project from the
western and central parts of the shore, and sev-
eral rocky and cliffy points are along the eastern
end.
The shore, extending about 50 miles southeast-
ward from the French Somaliland border to
Lander (FIGuREs 22-34 and 22-35), is backed by
low bluffs and gently sloping ground. The inland
terrain is a sandy, partly dune-covered plain
about 10 to 15 miles wide in most places. Marshy
and swampy areas, as well as lagoons and inlets,
are along the seaward margin of the plain mark-
ing the terminals of the many intermittent
streams that intersect the coast. During rainy
periods the streams overflow and inundate broad
areas. When the floodwaters recede, large areas
of salt-crusted mud and sand are exposed, seasonal
ponds form near the shore, and small sand-blocked
inlets develop at the mouths of the drying
streams. Generally rugged hilly terrain that
rises to mountains lies about 30 miles from the
shore. Scattered grass tussocks, thorny brush,
and trees which are most dense along the water-
courses are the principal forms of vegetation on
the plain. The low slopes of the hills and moun-
tains are also partly covered by grass and brush
with some scattered trees.
The greater part of the shores extending from
Lander to Ras Khanzira are backed by bluffs that
in most places range in height from 12 to 25 feet,
however, Ras Hamra, 8 miles southwest of Ras
Khanzira, is about 235 feet high. Berbera, about
60 miles southwest of Ras Khanzira, is flanked to
the north and to the west by narrow swamps.
The swamps west of Berbera are linked to the
town by a short stretch of sand (minor beach area
9; FIGURE 22-36), the central part of which is
closely backed by a small shallow lagoon. The
swamps to the north of Berbera extend about 650
yards northward from the minor port facilities to
a partly inundated spit that extends about 11/2
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NIS 55
miles westward from the mainland. Extending
eastward from the babe of the spit on its seaward
side is a stretch of Sandy coast about 41/2 miles
long (major beach area (5); FIGURE 22-36). The
sandy shore is succeeded to the east by an almost
continuous line of bluffs rising from or near the
water's edge and extending about 221/2 miles far-
ther eastward where he bluffs become low and al-
ternate with gentle s apes that grade away from
the sandy shore at iajor beach areas (6) and
('7) (FiGuR:Es 22-37 a d 22-38). A low rocky point
separates these beac es, and there are several
steep sloping points within the limits of major
beach (6). -
There are also gen le slopes behind the sandy
shore near Ras Hamra (minor beach area 10).
A plain extends. from 1 to 20 miles inland behind
the shores and is a c ntinuation of the generally
flat plain of the we tern part of the segment.
Closely backing the s ores are broad sandy areas
on which there are rarrow irregular belts of low
dunes. Detached hi 1s and mountains are scat-
tered over the plain, and several of those south-
west of Ras Khanzira terminate in rocky points
along the shore. The plain is intersected by shal-
low intermittent streams which are most widely
separated in the eaStern part of the segment.
The mountains backi
end of the segment
The foothills lie abo
and about 41/2 miles
mountains continue
irregular-trending ri
are mostly between 5
(FIGURE 22-39). The mountains generally range
between 2,000 and 3,000 feet in elevation, but there
are outstanding peaks over 5,000 feet high. There
is some cultivation around Berbera, but the domi-
nant vegetation on t e plain is sparse stands of
grass tussocks, thor y brush, and trees which
increase in densit along the intermittent
streams. Broad ares are barren sand.
Approaches?The o shore approaches are deep
and clear, except off the western quarter where
they are encumbered by islets, rocks, reefs, and
shoals which extend into the nearshore zone.
The nearshore appro ches to the central half of
the segment are generally clear, and along the
eastern quarter they are partly obstructed.
The obstructions td the western quarter of the
segment lie mostly wi hin 11 n. miles of the shore;
however, a shoal abut 23/4 n. miles long with
depths 4 to 6 fathom over it is located about 10
n. miles farther seatward. Except for the off-
lying shoal, most of the obstructions are con-
g the plain at the western
ontinue eastward in an arc.
t 11/2 miles west of Berbera
southeast of the town. The
astward to Ras Khanzira in
ges, the foothills of which
and 23 miles from the shore
tamed within the 10
as far as 11 n. mile
tions are generally lo
PAGE 22-48
fathom curve which ranges
from shore. The obstruc-
islets and partly uncover-
NAVY - JUNE 1962
ing shoals and reefs on which there are patches
of rock. There are some deep and generally un-
obstructed channels, but most of the channels
separating the obstructions are shallow.
Depths of 6 to 7 fathoms lie close to the shore
along the central half of the segment. Except for
sandbars near the shore, there are no known ob-
structions in the nearshore approaches; however,
approaches are not well charted.
Along the eastern quarter of the segment there
are narrow sandbars, scattered rocks, shoals, and
reefs that lie as far as 1 n. mile from the shore.
Depths of 100-fathoms range from 1 to 61/2 n.
miles off this part of the coast.
Ports and urban areas?Berbera and Zeila are
the principal urban areas on the coast which is
occupied primarily by nomads. The two towns
are the only minor ports; however, cargo is also
handled at Bulhar near the center of the seg-
ment.
Berbera, close southwestward of major beach
area (5), is built on flat terrain and consists of a
number of masonry buildings and many huts.
The number of huts decreases during the sum-
mer and increases in the winter when the nomads
bring livestock and hides to Berbera for shipment
to Aden. Berbera is also the principal transporta-
tion center On the north coast of the Somali Re-
public.
Zeila stands on a sandy spit and consists of
about 50 stone houses and 600 huts, mostly in a
dilapidated condition. Generally poor quality
transportation routes link Zeila with other
coastal towns and with the interior.
Routes of communication?The shore between
Zeila and Berbera is paralleled by an unsurfaced
road; tracks continue to the northwest and to
the northeast along the coast. The road and
tracks closely parallel the shore and in places are
impassable at high tide. Two surfaced roads ex-
tend southward into the interior from Berbera,
and a number of tracks extend inland from the
coastal road and tracks. When the streams flood,
parts of the roads and tracks are impassable and
broad areas on the western part of the plain are
inundated. Cross-country movement is impeded
by swamps, marshes, loose sand, detached hills
and mountains, and deeply entrenched streams.
With these exceptions cross-country movement
over the plain during the dry period is generally
good. Egress into the interior, however, is gener-
ally difficult because of the rugged hills and moun-
tainous terrain.
Helicopter landings?A Class 4 air facility at
Berbera is available for the landing of helicopters.
Suitable landing areas are also available the
length of the coastal plain; however, loose sand
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY-JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
and stones will be encountered in many places.
The central and eastern part of the plain affords
the most desirable areas for landings though de-
tached hills and mountains in these areas would
in places limit the size of the helicopter landing
areas. The western part of the plain is less de-
sirable because of lagoons, marshes, and swamps.
Exits from the helicopter landing areas would be
primarily by cross-country movement to the
coastal tracks.
Coastal Segment [2], Ras Khanzira to Ras
Adado (220 coastline miles; USHO Chart 1586)
General?The coastal plain of this segment is
about 1 to 16 miles. wide and bordered seaward in
most places by bluffs and cliffs 12 to 25 feet high
which rise from sandy shores (FIGURES 22-40A,
22-72, and 22-73). Detached hills, low moun-
tains, ridges, and spurs extend across the plain
from the mountainous interior. The surface of
the plain is scarred by the courses of many inter-
mittent streams, a considerable number of which
are deeply entrenched in their lower reaches.
Low brush and clump grass are scattered on the
coastal area, but broad stretches are barren and
consist partly of sandhills and dunes. Only widely
separated obstructions lie in the seaward ap-
proaches. There are no ports and only open an-
chorages are available.
Four major beach areas, one minor beach area,
and three landing places have been selected in the
segment. In general, the coastal area is not fa-
vorable for amphibious landings, primarily be-
cause of the poor exits into the interior. The best
landing areas are at major beach areas (10) and
(11). These beaches are backed by an earth road
that junctions with a similar route that extends
southward across the mountains into the interior.
In addition to these roads, there is a sparse net-
work of tracks. Loose sand, spurs and ridges, and
detached hills and mountains will impede cross-
country movement, but the primary obstructions
are the deeply entrenched streams. The plain is
backed by mountains that would prevent easy
egress into the interior. There are no airfields,
but helicopter landings could be made on the gen-
erally level plain.
Shore and coastal terrain?The coast is bor-
dered by sandy shores (major beach areas (8)
through (11), minor beach area 11, and 3 landing
places; FIGURE 22-40A) , separated by relatively
short stretches of bluffs and cliffs. The shores are
generally narrow and are interrupted by the out-
lets of several small lagoons and many intermit-
tent streams. Behind the shores stretch almost
continuous lines of bluffs and cliffs which range
mostly from about 12 to 25 feet in height. The
bluffs and cliffs are eroded in places and behind
CONFIDENTIAL
the major and minor beach areas and landing
places, give way to gently sloping ground. The
terrain inland is composed of a generally level or
undulating plain about 1 to 16 miles wide that is
backed by the foothills, of mountains.
Several spurs and ridges extend across the
plain which is also interspersed with detached
hills and low mountains (FIGURE 22-40A). In
places sandhills or dunes lie close behind the
bluffs and cliffs bordering the shores. The plain
is crossed by the many intermittent streams and
their numerous branches. Some of the main
stream courses are only a little below the general
level of the surrounding ground, but most
streams flow in steep-sided beds that are deeply
entrenched in their lower reaches. Some of the
main streams disappear into the porous ground
close to the shore, but most have scoured out deep
gorges in the bluffs and cliffs and flow to the sea.
During most of the year, the outlets of the
streams crossing the shore are closed by wide
bars of dry sand, some of which enclose small
water-filled inlets. The western part of the plain
is backed by irregular low mountains that are
penetrated by generally narrow steep-sided val-
leys. Behind the eastern part there is a precipi-
tous limestone ridge about 6,000 to 7,000 feet high
with a summit 7,898 feet high, located about 20
miles inland near the western end of the ridge.
The vegetation on the plain is sparse, and broad
areas are entirely barren. There are some scrub
trees and grass tussocks but the dominant vegeta-
tion is a low brush, widely scattered in most places
but increasing in. density along many of the inter-
mittent streams. The inland hills and moun-
tains are partly covered with brush and trees, but
the spurs and ridges and the detached hills and
mountains on the plain are generally bare.
Approaches?Mait Island lies in the offshore ap-
proaches and is located about 6 n. miles from the
shore, about 11 n. miles west northwestward of
minor beach area 11. The island is a bare rock
430 feet high with a spit extending 200 yards from
its western end. The 5-fathom curve is un-
charted but the 20-fathom curve ranges from less
than 1,000 yards to about 4 n. miles from the
shore. Heis Island, a rocky islet 170 feet high, is
located in the nearshore zone about 1 n. mile from
the shore, 6 miles southwest of Cape Jilbo. The
islet is connected to a high bluff on the mainland
by a causeway that dries about 2 feet. Within
the nearshore zone are widely scattered reefs,
shoals, and sandbars, most of which are within
700 yards of the shore.
Urban. areas?The coastal area is sparsely popu-
lated, mostly by nomads, though there is perma-
nent habitation in most of the small villages and
settlements that surround widely separated wells
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NIS 55
and waterholes. So rine centers are uninhabited
except when seasonal y frequented by the nomads.
Routes of comm nications?A track, closely
paralleling the shored extends eastward from Has
Khanzira to the sm 11 settlement of Mait, about
6 miles northeast of Cape Jilbo, and an earth
road closely parallels
Ras Adado. An eartl-
southeastward from
pass to the village
with other roads in
mall Republic. Ther
ing southward acro
coastal routes.
the shore between Mait and
road extends about 30 miles
Mait through a mountain
Erigavo where it connects
he northern part of the So-
are also several tracks lead-
s the mountains from the
Cross-country movement is generally good but
is impeded by the many entrenched steep-sided
streams. The rugged, stream-dissected slopes of
hills and mountains are generally impassable bar-
riers. Movement inland over the mountains is
generally confined to the earth road and the
tracks.
Helicopter landina areas?Helicopter landing
areas are available on the generally level coastal
plain; however, the Spurs and ridges extending
from the mountainons interior and the detached
hills and mountains Will limit the size of some of
the landing areas Steep-sided entrenched
streams, loose sand, and stones would be encoun-
tered on most of the landing areas. Exits from
the helicopter landing areas would be primarily
cross-country to the coastal roads and tracks.
Coastal Segment [3], Has Adado to Capo
Guardafui (190 coastl ne miles; USHO Chart 1586)
General?The coas al area is composed of gen-
erally level plains th t vary from extremely nar-
row margins to zone about 16 miles wide (FIG-
URES 22-40B throu 22-43 and 22-73). The
plains are bordered lmost everywhere by bluffs
and cliffs that rise from mostly sandy shores.
The plains, separate by eroded ridges and inter-
spersed with sand d nes, detached hills, and low
mountains, are gene ally barren. Their surfaces
are scarred by the c urses of many intermittent
streams, most of which are deeply entrenched in
their lower reaches. isome obstructions lie within'
2 n. miles of the sho e, but the sea approaches to
the coastal area are predominantly clear. Open
anchorages are avai able, and there are three
minor ports.
Three minor beach areas and four landing
places are in the segnjient. In general, the coastal
area is not favorable or amphibious landings, pri-
marily because of th rugged hills and mountains'
surrounding the plai s and the poor exits into the
interior. The best a ea for landing is at Bender
Cassini on the westeri part of the coast where the
terrain grades gently from the shore to one of the
PAGE 22-50
NAVY-JUNE 1962
largest plains in the segment. A minor port and
an airfield are available in the landing area and
roads lead west and southward into the interior.
Transportation routes are sparse on the re-
mainder of the coast, though the greater extent
of the shore is closely paralleled by roads or
tracks. Loose sand, entrenched streams, and de-
tached hills and mountains will impede cross-
country movement on the plains. Movement
across the ridges surrounding the plains would be
difficult in most places. Class 2 air facilities are
located at Bender Cassim and Alula. There is
also an unclassified seaplane station at Bender
Cassim. A Class 2 airfield is located at Scusciuban
about 120 miles south of Alula, a Class 3 facility is
available about 120 miles south of Bender Cassim
at Gardo, and a Class 4 facility is located in the
vicinity of Darin about 55 miles southeast of
Bender Cassim. Helicopter landing areas are
available on the plains.
Shore and coastal terrain?The coastal area is
bordered by generally sandy shores (minor beach
areas 12 through 14; and 4 landing places; FIG-
URES 22-40B and 22-43) that are separated by
bluffs and cliffs. The bluffs and cliffs form an al-
most continuous line along the middle part of the
segment between the Uadi Tog Ueni and the vil-
lage of Durbo, but elsewhere they form relatively
short stretches. The shores are generally narrow
and are intersected by many intermittent
streams, the mouths of which are generally closed
by wide bars of sand most of the year. The shores
along the eastern part of the segment are also
separated by the outlets of two fairly large shal-
low lagoons. Except for the minor beach areas
and the landing places, the shores are generally
backed by low bluffs and cliffs. Level plains that
vary from narrow margins to widths up to 16
miles back the shores.
One of the most extensive areas of generally
level ground lies at the western end of the seg-
ment between Has Adado and Ras al Hamar, about
44 miles eastward. The area is backed and inter-
spersed with hills and low mountains, several of
which come close to the shore and trend south-
eastward from Ras Adado and southwestward
from Ras al Hamar. Ras al Hamar, a rocky prom-
ontory 300 feet high, is the northwestern ex-
tremity of a hilly ridge about 650 feet in elevation.
The ridge extends inland to the rugged and pre-
cipitous foothills of a high mountainous area. Ex-
tending about 48 miles eastward from Has al
Hamar to the Uadi Tog Ueni is a narrow margin
of generally level ground (FIGURE 22-41) that is
interrupted by several high hilly ridges. The
ridges project from the rugged foothills of the
mountainous area rising inland of Ras al Hamar
and reaching a peak elevation of 7,218 feet.
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY-JUNE 1962 MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
Except for several small valleys close eastward
of the Uadi Tog Ueni, the coast extending about
28 miles eastward to the village of Durbo, is a
mass of eroded hills and low mountains that drop
almost vertically to the sea in cliffs. The hills
and mountains recede inland east of Durbo and
give place to a margin of level and gently sloping
ground (FIGuRE 22-42) that broadens to a width
of several miles and extends to Ras Filuch about
33 miles northeastward. Ras Filuch is 1,020 feet
high and is the northwestern extremity of an
eroding ridge of hills and low mountains. About
61/4 miles southwest of Ras Filuch is the northern
end of a narrow marshy lagoon about 8 miles
long. The lagoon is separated from the sea by a
narrow stretch of low ground that is broken by a
narrow outlet near the southern end. Close east
of Ras Filuch the mountains recede over 16 miles
inland and are replaced by a plain that extends
about 18 miles eastward to a slightly rounded prom-
ontory that rises from the sea. Seven miles
east of Ras Filuch is the western end of a lagoon
about 4 miles long that extends about 2 miles
southward. The lagoon, reported to be almost dry
at low tide, is separated from the sea by low nar-
row spits.
The coast that extends about 10 miles eastward
from the slightly rounded promontory is a nar-
row margin of low ground behind which are
rugged mountains that recede inland; Bereda is
situated on the lowland. A narrow sandy shore
extends eastward from a rocky point close east of
Bereda. The steep mountains that back the shore
for about 7 miles from the rocky point abruptly
turn southeastward behind a narrow slightly un-
dulating plain on which the village of Damo is lo-
cated. The coast east of Damo again becomes
bold as it rises to Capo Guardafui, which is a rocky
and precipitous headland about 837 feet high.
Interspersed over the plains throughout the
segment are rocky outcrops and sand dunes, the
latter being most extensive between Ras Filuch
and Capo Guardafui. Many of the streams inter-
secting the shores flow across the plains through
generally steep-sided courses. Some streams dis-
appear into the porous rock and soil near the
bluff- and cliff-backed shores. Extensive areas
are scarred by the many branching streams, the
beds of which are generally only a little below the
general level of the surrounding ground. The
hills and mountains are generally rugged and are
incised by the intermittent streams and their nu-
merous branches.
Vegetation on the plains is generally sparse.
Except for the marshy and swampy lagoons and
several small grassy areas, the dominant vegeta-
tion is spiny desert brush. The brush is widely
scattered but increases in density along most of
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
the intermittent streams. The hills and low
mountains on the coast are generally barren, but
the high mountains farther inland are in many
places covered with brush and scrub trees.
Approaches?Widely separated rocks, reefs, and
shoals lie near the coast, and in several places
shallow depths extend as far as 1 n. mile from the
shore; however, the approaches to the coast are
deep and in most places unobstructed. The 5-
fathom curve is uncharted, but the 20-fathom
curve ranges from several hundred yards to about
5 n. miles offshore with depths increasing rapidly
to 100 fathoms close seaward.
Ports and urban areas?Bender Cassim, about
35 miles east of Ras Adado, Candala, near the mid-
dle of the segment, and Alula (FIGURE 22-43),
about 7 miles east of Ras Filuch, are minor ports.
The coast is sparsely populated, and inhabited
centers are widely scattered. Bender Cassim is
the largest community with about 3,000 to 5,000
inhabitants, depending on the season (FIGURE
22-40B). There are stone buildings in most of the
inhabited centers; however, the dominant struc-
tures are poorly constructed huts, which increase
and decrease in number with the movement of the
nomads, the principal inhabitants along the
coast.
Routes of communications?The shore between
Ras Adado and Bender Cassim is closely paral-
leled by an earth road that extends eastward
from the village of Mait in Coastal Segment [2].
This route continues as a track eastward from
Bender Cassim to Candala. There are no roads or
tracks within the coastal area between Candala
and Durbo about 33 miles eastward. A dry-
weather unsurfaced road extends -a short distance
eastward from Durbo where it joins a track that
closely parallels the shore to Alula. An earth
road, paralleling the shore from 1 to 6 miles in-
land, extends eastward from Alula across the
rugged hills and mountains to the village of Toh.en
about 8 miles south of Capo Guardafui. The
coastal roads and tracks are linked by earth roads
leading inland from Bender Cassim and Candala
and by tracks elsewhere.
Cross-country movement on the plains is good
except for the many entrenched streams, sand
dunes, and detached hills and mountains. The
rugged stream-dissected hills and mountains in-
tersecting and rising from the plains would be dif-
ficult to cross. Movement inland over the moun-
tains is generally confined to the few dry-weather
unsurfaced roads.
Helicopter landing areas?Class 2 air facilities
at Bender Cassim and Alula can be used for heli-
copter landings. Landing areas are also available
on the generally level plains; however, their ex-
tent will be limited by the ridges and the de-
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NIS 55
tached hills and mcbuntains. Loose sand and
stones will be encouniered on most of the landing
areas. Exits from tie landing areas would be
cross-country to the Sparse network of roads and
tracks.
b. Landing beach s
There are seven ma or beach areas, (5) through
(1,1); six minor beach areas, 9 through 14; and
seven landing places in Subsector 3?A. The major
beaches are located Iroughly along the central
part of the coast. The minor beaches are un-
evenly distributed along the coast. The landing
places are concentrated in the central and east-
ern parts of this subse tor.
Long stretches of he coast in this subsector
west of Berbera and ender Cassim and west and
east of Alula, in gen ral, are unsuitable for am-
phibious landings b cause of such features as
reefs, banks, bars, r cky headlands, dunes, and
hills. Although the remainder of these coasts
are not ideal for a iphibious landings, beaches
and landing places ave been selected in areas
where approaches, be ch characteristics, and exits
to the inland terrai most nearly meet the re-
quirements for amphi ? ious landings.
NAVY ? JUNE 1962
Major beach area (5) and minor beach 12 are
considered best suited for amphibious landings be-
cause of generally favorable approaches and physi-
cal characteristics. Exits are by cross-country
movement to coastal tracks, surfaced and unsur-
faced roads.
Except for one beach which is 40 miles long,
lengths of the major beaches range from 1/2 to
151/4 miles. Major beach area (9) is separated by
wide wadi mouths. The beach width at low water
level for major beach area (5) is unknown; widths
of the remaining beaches at low water levels range
from 50 to 110 yards. Widths at high water levels
range from 5 to 20 yards. The beach gradient in
the low water to high water zone for major beach
area (5) is unknown; gradients for the remaining
beaches range from moderate to gentle. Beach
gradients in the high water zone are steep. The
primary beach material is sand which is firm in
the wetted area and soft where dry.
The offshore approaches are clear; the near-
shore approaches to most of the beaches are
partly obstructed by sandbanks or sandbars. The
nearshore bottom material off the beaches con-
sists of sand or sand mixed with shells. Bottom
FIGURE 22-9. MAJOR BEACH AREAS,
(Map references:
BEACH NUMBER AND
LOCATION
LENGTH AND USABLE
LENGTH
WIDTHS: AT L.W.
AT II.W.
BEACH GRADIENTS:
L.W. TO H.W.;
H.W. ZONE
APPROACH
(5) Centered 2X mi.
NE. of Berbera on
N. coast of Somali
Republic, between
10?27'N,, 45?01'E.
and
10?29' N , 45?04'E.
(FIG. 22-36)
(Reliability: FAIR)
(6) Ras Walhun, E.
and W., between
10?40'N., 45?22'E.
and
10?44'N., 45?34'E.
(FIG. 22-37)
(Reliability: FAIR)
4 mi.; slightly concave; Unknown at L. W. ;
terminated to SW. at 10 to 20 yd. at
base of low sandy spit H.W.
n d to NE. where
fronted by shoal; all
nsable.
15 4 mi.; irregular; termi- 80 to 100 yd. at
ated to SW. by sandy L.W.; 15 to 20
joint and to NE. where yd. at H.W.
tacked by cliffs; inter-
upted by wadies; all
iisable.
NOTE Beach lengths an
in nautical miles e
PAGE 22-52
Unknown L.W. to Nearshore bottom slopes prob. steep ?
H.W.; 1 on 10 no depths charted in nearshore
or steeper in area; 66- to 102-ft. soundings 1,185
II.W. zone. to 1,420 yd. off H.W. line; offshore
approach clear; nearshore approach
partly obstructed by sandbars near
L.W. line and flanked by shoals;
bottom sand and shells; anchorage
in 30- to 60-ft. depths in harbor
IX mi. to SW., bottom prob. sand
and mud.
1 on 40 to 1 on 50, Nearshore bottom slopes moderate to
L.W. to H.W.; flat shoreward of 18-ft. depth con-
1 on 10 or tour 235 to 1,895 yd. off H.W. line;
steeper in H.W. 30-ft. depth contour 1,660 yd. to
zone. 2X n. mi. off H.W. line; offshore
approach clear; nearshore approach
clear, however, a bank with least
depth of 18 ft. fronts entire beach;
bottom sand and shells; anchorages
in 36- to 48-ft. depths IX n. mi.
N. of NE. part, bottom prob. sand
and shells.
distances along the coast and inland are expressed in statute miles; distances across water are expressed
cept when referring to beach locations. Italicized words refer to terms defined in Subsection A, 4, d.
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
CONFIDENTIAL
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY?JUNE 1962 MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
slopes in the nearshore area range from steep to
fiat. Anchorages are in the vicinity of most of
the beaches.
Diurnal tides of 5 feet occur in this subsector.
The expected average occurrence of surf 4 feet or
greater on the beaches ranges from 5% to 15%
of the time October through April, infrequent to
4% in May; it is infrequent in all other months.
In general, the beaches are backed by sandy
plains partly covered with scattered grass, brush,
and trees. The plains are drained by wadies and
extend inland to partly brush- and tree-covered
hills rising to mountains. Villages are in the vi-
cinity of all the beaches. Exits from the beaches
are by cross-country movement to an unsurfaced
coastal road and coastal tracks. Surfaced roads
lead inland south of southwest end of major
beach area (5). A Class 4 airfield, an unclassified
seaplane station, and a minor port are in the vi-
cinity of beach (5).
Lengths of the minor beaches range from 400
to 1,720 yards. The beach material is sand.
Beach widths at low water levels range from 50
to 210 yards and at high water levels from 10 to
40 yards. The nearshore bottom slopes range
from moderate to fiat. The offshore and near-
OF COASTAL SUBSECTOR 3?A
FIGURES 22-72 and 22-73)
CONFIDENTIAL
shore approaches to most of the beaches are clear.
The nearshore bottom material is sand or sand
mixed with mud, shells, rocks, or coral. Anchor-
ages are in the vicinity of most beaches.
In general, the terrain behind the minor
beaches is similar to that of the major beaches.
Villages are in the vicinity of nearly all of the
beaches. Exits from the minor beaches are by
cross-country movement to coastal tracks or
trails; however, surfaced or unsurfaced roads are
immediately behind or in the vicinity of a few of
the beaches. Airfields are in the vicinity of half
of the beaches; minor ports are at minor beaches
9,12, and 13.
In general, the approaches to the landing places
are similar to those of the major and minor
beaches given in this subsector. Narrow sandy
plains or steep slopes back most of the landing
places. Exits are by cross-country movement to
coastal tracks or unsurfaced roads.
Tabular descriptions for the major beaches are
given in FIGURE 22-9 and for the minor beaches in
FIGURE 22-10. Locations of the major and minor
beaches and landing places are shown on the loca-
tion maps, FIGURES 22-72 and 22-73.
SURF AND TIDAL RANGE
?
MATERIAL AND
FIRMNESS
TERRAIN IMMEDIATELY BEHIND BEACH
EXITS AND COMMUNICATIONS INLAND
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
pected to occur 10% of the ted area,
time Oct.?Apr. and infrequently where dry.
in all other months; tidal range
5 ft., diurnal
Sand; firm in wet- Beach immediately backed by scarp
soft and low bank in places; in turn
backed by low sandy plain partly
covered with grass, cultivation,
brush, and trees, and containing
dunes; plain, drained by wadies, ex-
tends 43- to 61A mi. inland to partly
brush- and tree-covered hills rising
to mts.; village 2 mi. E. of NE. end;
Berbera 1,450 yd. S. of SW. end.
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
pected to occur 5% of the time ted area,
Oct.?Apr. and infrequently in where dry.
all other months; tidal range
5 ft., diurnal.
Sand; firm in wet- Backed by scarps and sand dunes
soft partly covered with brush; in turn
backed by sandy plain partly cov-
ered with grass and brush, contain-
ing scattered dunes; plain, drained
by wadies, extends as far as 23 mi.
inland to partly brush- and tree-
covered hills rising to mts.; village
close behind NE. part.
CONFIDENTIAL
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
Exit cross-country as far as 1,700
yd. to coastal track; surfaced
roads and tracks lead inland
from Berbera; Class 4 airfield
2 mi. S. of SW. end; unclassified
seaplane station in harbor at
Berbera; minor port at Berbera.
Exit cross-country 1 to 1% mi. to
coastal track; movement farther
inland cross-country.
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PAGE 22-53
CONFIDENT IAL
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NIS 55
NAVY ? JUNE 1962
FIGURE 22-9. MAJOR BEACH AREAS,
BEACH NUMBER AND
LOCATION
LENGTH AND USABLE
LENGTH
WIDTHS: AT L.W.;
AT H.W.
BEACH GRADIENTS:
L.W. TO H.W.
H.W. ZONE
APPROACH
(7) Ras Sudda, SW.,
at
10?45'N., 4?35'E.
(no. 22-38)
(Reliability: FAIR)
(8) Centered 193,i mi.
SE. of Ras Khanzira,
between
10?47'N., 45?58'E.
and
10?46'N., 4.6?10'E.
(Reliability: FAIR)
(9) Centered 36% mi.
SW. of Cape Jilbo,
between
10?47'N., 46?15'E.
and
10?49'N., 46?47'E.
(Reliability: FAIR)
(10) Centered 44 mi.
SE. of Cape Sura,
between
11?09'N., 47?32'E.
and
11?07'N., 47?35'E.
(Reliability: FAIR)
(11) Centered 13% mi.
SE. of Cape Sura,
between
11?05'N., 47?40'E.
and
11?05'N., 47?42'E.
(Reliability: FAIR)
J. 2 mi.; concave; termi-
nated to SW. by cuffed
headland and to NE.
by rocky point fringed
by reef; all usable.
1
mi.; irregular; termi-
nated by wadi mouths;
interrupted by wadies;
all usable.
4P mi.; irregular; termi-
nated to W. by sandy
point and to E. by wadi
mouth; separated near
W. end and center parts
by wadi mouths; inter-
rupted by numerous
wadies; nearly all usable.
4 2 mi.; straight; termi-
nated to NW. by wadi
mouth and to SE. by
sandy point; interrupted
by wadies; all usable.
2
mi.; irregular; termi-
nated by wadi mouths;
all usable.
75 to 90 yd.
L.W.; 10 to
yd. at H.W.
70 to 110 yd.
L.W.; 10 to
yd. at H.W.
60 to 110 yd.
L.W.; [0 to
yd. at H.W.
50 to 90 yd.
L.W.; 5 to
yd. at H.W.
50 to 70 yd.
L.W.; 10 to
yd. at H.W.
at 1 on 40 to 1 on 45,
15 L.W. to II.W.;
1 on 10 or
steeper in H.W.
zone.
at 1 on 35 to 1 on 55,
15 L.W. to H.W.;
1 on 10 or
steeper in H.W.
zone.
at 1 on 30 to 1 on 55,
15 L.W. to H.W.;
1 on 10 or
steeper in H.W.
zone.
at 1 on 25 to 1 on 45,
15 LW. to II.W.;
1 on 10 or
steeper in H.W.
zone.
at 1 on 25 to 1 on 30,
20 LW. to H.W.;
L on 10 or
steeper in H.W.
zone.
Nearshore bottom slopes prob. steep ?
no depths charted in nearshore
area; 120-ft. sounding 1 n. mi. off
H.W. line; offshore approach clear;
nearshore approach clear but
flanked to E. by reef; bottom sand
and shells; anchorages in 36- to
48-ft. depths 2 n. mi. SW of SW.
end, bottom prob. sand and shells.
Nearshore bottom slopes mild to flat
shoreward of 24- to 42-ft. sound-
ings 1,260 to 1,575 yd. off H.W.
line; offshore approach clear; near-
shore approach partly obstructed
by sandbars near L.W. line and
flanked to E. by reef; bottom prob.
sand; ? anchorage in 42-fl. depth
1,200 yd. N. of E. part, bottom
sand and coral.
Nearshore bottom slopes mild shore-
ward of 24- to 42-ft. soundings 945
to 1,575 yd. off H.W. line; offshore
approach clear; nearshore approach
partly obstructed by sandbars as
far as 200 yd. off H.W. line bottom
sand; anchorage in 42-ft. depth 1
n. mi. N. of E. part, bottom prob.
sand; another anchorage reported
in 78-ft. depth about 23% n. mi.
NW. of E. end, bottom unknown.
Nearshore bottom slopes gentle to
flat shoreward of 18-ft. depth con-
tour 315 to 1,575 yd. off HW. line;
offshore approach clear; nearshore
approach partly obstructed by
sandbars near L.W. line; bottom
sand.
Nearshore bottom slopes flat shore-
ward of 18-ft. depth contour 945
to 1,575 yd. off H.W. line; offshore
approach clear; nearshore approach
partly obstructed by sandbars near
L.W. line; bottom sand.
NOTE Beach lengths an
in nautical miles
PAGE 22-54
distances along the coast and inland are expressed in statute miles; distances across water are expressed
xcept when referring to beach locations. Italicized words refer to terms defined in Subsection A, 4, d.
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
CONFIDENTIAL
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY?JUNE 1962
SUBSECTOR 3?A (Continued)
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
CONFIDENTIAL
SURF AND TIDAL RANGE
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
pected to occur 5% of the time
Oct.?Apr. and infrequently in
all other months; tidal range
5 ft., diurnal.
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
pected to occur 19% of the
time Oct.?Apr., 4% in May and
infrequently in all other
months; tidal range 5 ft.,
diurnal.
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
pected to occur 14% of the
time Oct.?Apr., 4% in May
and infrequently in all other
months; tidal range 5 ft.,
diurnal.
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
pected to occur 15% of the
time Oct.?Apr., 4% in May
and infrequently in all other
months; tidal range 5 ft.,
diurnal.
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
pected to occur 14% of the
time Oct.?Apr., 4% in May,
and infrequently in all other
months; tidal range 5 ft.,
diurnal.
MATERIAL AND
FIRMNESS
TERRAIN IMMEDIATELY BEHIND EACH
EXITS AND COMMUNICATIONS INLAND
Sand; firm in wet-
Backed by low sandy plain partly cov-Exit cross-country as far as
ted area,
where dry.
soft
ered with brush and scattered trees, mi. to coastal track; movement
containing isolated hills, drained by farther inland cross-country.
wadi, and extending as far as 6 mi.
inland to partly brush- and tree-
covered hills rising to nits.; village
1 mi. S. of SW. end.
Sand; firm in wet- Backed by low sandy plain partly
ted area, soft covered with grass and brush, con-
where dry. taming isolated hills, drained by
several wadies, and extending as far
as 9M mi. inland to partly brush-
and tree-covered hills rising to mts.;
village behind E. part; other villages
1 mi. E. of E. end and 13i mi. SW.
of W. end.
Sand; firm in wet- Backed by low sandy plain partly cov-
ted area, soft ered with grass, brush, and trees,
where dry. containing isolated ridges, drained
by several wadies, and extending as
far as 10 mi. inhind to partly brush-
and tree-covered hills rising to ruts.;
villages close behind beach.
Sand; firm in wet- Beach backed by dunes; in turn backed
ted area, soft by low sandy plain, partly covered
where dry. with brush, drained by several
wadies, and extending 3 to 58% mi.
inland to partly brush- and tree-cov-
ered hills rising to mts.; village be-
hind SE. part.
Sand; firm in wet- Beach backed by partly brush-covered
ted area, soft dunes; in turn backed by low sandy
where dry. plain partly covered with brush and
trees, drained by wadies, and ex-
tending as far as 3 mi. inland to
partly brush- and tree-covered hills
rising to mts.; village 13 mi. SW. of
W. end.
Exit cross-country as far as 3 mi.
to coastal track; movement far-
ther inland cross-country and by
track.
Exit cross-country 495 yd. to 3 mi.
to coastal track; movement far-
ther inland cross-country and by
track leading inland from village
behind center part.
Exit cross-country as far as 13% mi.
to unsurfaced road; movement
farther inland cross-country.
Exit cross-country 165 yd. to un-
surfaced road; movement far-
ther inland cross-country.
CONFIDENTIAL
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
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PAGE 22-55
Apprved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5 NAVY - JuisrE 1962
FlIGURE 22-10. MINOR BEACH AREAS OF COASTAL SUBSECTOR 3--A
(Map references: FIGURES 22-72 and 22-73)
NUMBER AND LOCAT
9. Berbera, on N. coast o
Republic at
1.0?27'N., 45?00'E.
(Fro. 22-36)
(Reliability: GOOD)
W. Centered 6 mi. NE.
Sudda, at
10?47'N., 45?40'E.
(Reliability: FAIR)
11. Centered 53 mi. W.
Sura, at
11?10'N., 47?25'E.
(Reliability: FAIR)
12. Bender Cassim, at
11?18'N., 49?11'E.
(FIG. 22-40B)
(Reliability: FAIR)
13. Alula, at
11?58'N., 50?44'E.
(Fm, 22-43)
(Reliability; FAIR)
1.4. Centered 3 mi. W.
Guardafui, at
11?50'N. 51?14'E.
(Reliability: POOR)
REMARKS
Somali 400 yd.; concave; sand: 100 to 210 yd. wide at L.W. and 20 to 30 yd. at H.W.; nearshore bottom
slopes moderate to gentle; offshore approach restricted to harbor channel and clear but
flanked to N. by sandy spit fringed by sandbanks, rocks, and coral heads and to S. by sand-
banks and coral heads; nearshore approach clear but flanked by piers; bottom sand and mud;
anchorage in 30- to 60-ft. depths in harbor, bottom prob. sand and mud; beach backed by
sandy plain partly covered with grass, cultivation, brush, and trees, containing dunes and
ridges; plain, drained by wadies, extends as far as 53' mi. inland to brush- and tree-covered
hills rising to mts.; tidal lagoon close behind center part; Berbera close behind beach; exit
cross-country 50 to 200 yd. to surfaced road; surfaced roads and tracks lead inland from
Berbera; Class 4 airfield approx. 1 mi. S. of Berbera; unclassified seaplane station in harbor
at Berbera; minor port at Berbera.
of Ras 480 yd.; straight; sand; 60 to 80 yd. wide at L.W. and 10 to 15 yd. at H.W.; nearshore bottom
slopes gentle; offshore approach clear; nearshore approach partly obstructed by sandbars
near L.W. line; bottom sand and shells; beach backed by sandy, partly grass-covered plain
containing dunes and extending 43 mi. inland to partly brush- and tree-covered hills rising
to mts.; exit cross-country as far as 2 mi. to coastal track; movement farther inland cross-
country and by track.
480 yd.; straight; sand; 50 to 80 yd. wide at L.W. and 10 to 15 yd. at H.W.; nearshore bottom
slopes mild; offshore approach clear; nearshore approach partly obstructed by sandbars near
L.W. line and by reported bank 880 yd. off H.W. line and flanked to W. by fringing reef;
bottom sand; beach backed by low sandy plain partly covered with brush, containing ridges
and extending as far as 5 mi. inland to partly brush- and tree-covered hills rising to mts.;
village behind E. end; exit cross-country 1 mi. to coastal track; movement farther inland cross-
country to unsurfaced road.
800 yd.; concave; sand; 50 to 180 yd. wide at L.W. and 15 to 30 yd. at H.W.; nearshore bottom
slopes gentle to flat; offshore approach clear; nearshore approach restricted to channel 350
yd. wide between reefs as far as 500 yd. off H.W. line and flanked to E. by pier; bottom sand
and coral; anchorage in 24-ft. depth about 900 yd. off H.W. line, bottom sand; beach backed
by valley partly covered with brush and extending about 10 mi, inland to brush- and tree-
covered hills rising to mts.; Bender Cassim close behind beach; exit cross-country to Bender
Cassim; unsurfaced road leads W.; track and another unsurfaced road leads inland from
Bender Cassim; Class 2 airfield about 2 mi. W. of Bender Cassim; unclassified seaplane
station at Bender Cassim.
1,200 yd.; straight; sand; 60 to 150 yd. wide at L.W. and 15 to 30 yd. at H.W.; nearshore bottom
slopes gentle to mild; offshore approach clear; nearshore approach clear but flanked by rocks;
bottom sand, shells, and rocks; anchorages in 39- to 117-ft. depths 700 to 1,300 yd. off H.W.
line, bottom sand and shells; beach backed by sandy plain partly covered with brush and
extending 16 mi. inland to brush-covered hills rising to mts.; plain flanked to E. by wadi and
lagoon; Alula close behind beach; exit cross-country 135 yd. to coastal track leading SW.
from Alula and to unsurfaced road leading SE.; another track leads inland; Class 2 airfield
about 1 mi. SW. of Alula; minor port at Alula.
1,720 yd.; slightly concave; sand; 80 to 100 yd. wide at L.W. and 20 to 40 yd. at H.W.; near-
shore bottom slopes gentle; approaches clear; bottom sand; anchorage with least depths of 48-
to 54-ft., 1,200 yd. off T.W, line, bottom sand; beach backed by sandy plain extending 4 mi.
inland to hills rising to mts.; village close behind E. part; exit cross-country 1 mi. to coastal
trail; movement farther inland cross-country to unsurfaced road as far as 4 mi. behind beach.
of Cape
f Capo
2. Subsector 3-B:
(12?45'N. to 12?
(FiGuRE 22-73;
Charts 1586 and
ocotra and adjacent islands
5'N., 52?00'E. to 54?35'E.)
275 coastline miles, USHO
A5660)
a. Coast
Genera/--Subsector 3-B consists of the island
of Socotra (Suqutra), about 83 miles long,' and
the smaller off-lying i lands of 'Abd al Kari, Sam-
Darsa, and Sabu iyah (FIGURES 22-44 through
22-47, and 22-73).*
* Socotra and adjac
Section because of t
public. They are p
tectorate (NIS 32).
PAGE 22-56
nt islands are treated in this
eir proximity to the Somali Re-
litically a part of the Aden Pro-
Socotra, located about 130 n. miles east-north-
east of Capo Guardafui and about 190 n. miles off
the Arabian Peninsula, lies in the path of impor-
tant Middle East and East African trade routes.
The island consists primarily of a mountainous,
cliff-fringed plateau with only limited areas of
coastal plain. Three major beach areas, and one
landing place, all located along the northern and
western coasts of the island, have been selected.
The remaining islands are mainly rocky and hilly
to mountainous; there are two landing places
along the northern coast of 'Abd al Kari, the
largest of the off-lying islands.
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY-JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
The islands are in general unfavorable for large-
scale amphibious operations because of the preva-
lence of high sea cliffs or high cliffs close behind
the shores, rugged inland terrain, and the general
lack of roads and tracks. The area most suitable
for amphibious operations is located on the north-
central part of Socotra where a coastal plain ex-
tends up to 5 miles inland.
Socotra has coastal plains on its northern and
southern sides, which are separated by a rugged
mountainous plateau. The shores are predomi-
nantly sandy, interrupted in many places by ma-
rine cliffs and streams. The coastal plains are
narrow and covered with brush. Rugged, brush-
covered mountains, which are dissected by many
steep-sided valleys and gorges, rise from the
plateau. Cross-country movement over the coastal
plains is unimpeded; the plateau, however, is an
insurmountable obstacle, and penetration through
the interior mountains is similarly impossible ex-
cept via narrow steep-sided valleys and gorges.
Socotra is very inadequately served by a poor net-
work of tracks and trails.
Offshore approaches to Socotra are generally
clear except from the west and southwest, while
the nearshore approaches are principally obstructed
by rocks and coral reefs. Suitable seasonal an-
chorages are located off most of the coast, espe-
cially in the large bays.
The hilly-to-mountainous islands adjacent to
Socotra lack roads and tracks. The approaches
to them are mainly clear but obstructed in places
by islets, rocks, or reefs.
There are no air facilities in the subsector.
Socotra has several villages but the remaining is-
lands are uninhabited.
Shore and coastal terrain?The shores of So-
cotra are predominantly composed of sand (major
beach areas (12) through (14) and 1 landing
place; FIGURE 22-44), although in several places
there are gravel, cobbles, or boulders. These
shores are separated in many places by high,
rugged marine cliffs (FIGURE 22-45) and inter-
rupted by numerous intermittent streams. The
coast is irregular and broken by numerous bays,
inlets, and capes.
The terrain consists primarily of a northern
and southern coastal plain (FIGuRE 22-46), sep-
arated inland by a deeply dissected mountainous
plateau, 1,000 to 2,000 feet high, which extends
the whole length of the island. Rugged moun-
tains rise from the eastern half of the plateau
and reach a height of almost 5,000 feet. The
western half of the plateau is capped by low dome-
shaped mountains more than 2,000 feet high
which surround a large interior basin (FIGURE
22-47).
CONFIDENTIAL
On the northern side of the island, extending
80 miles westward from Ra's Erisal, the eastern
tip of Socotra, to Ra's Bashuri, in the northwest
corner, the shores consist mostly of sand (major
beach areas (12) and (13), and 1 landing place),
although gravel, cobbles, or boulders are present
in places. The sandy shores are backed by dis-
continuous stretches of coastal plain. These
stretches average 2 to 3 miles in width and are
flanked by hilly-to-mountainous spurs extend-
ing from the interior highland to the shores. The
plain is most extensive behind major beach area
(12); here also are found a mangrove-fringed salt
water lagoon and marshy patches (FIGURE 22-44).
In this area, the plain extends inland for varying
distances up to 5 miles before reaching the pla-
teau. The plain is predominantly sandy and sup-
ports not only brush but numerous date palm
groves. Inland, the hills and valleys are chiefly
covered by brush although there are scattered
areas of trees. Sandhills are particularly
prominent along the northeastern part of the
plain on its seaward side. The plain is pinched
off at both ends by high cliffs, with heights up to
2,000 feet, which rise steeply from the water's
edge or close behind the shores.
Along the western side of the island from Ra's
Bashuri (FIGURE 22-45) to Ra's Shu'ab, 20 miles
to the southwest, the coast is bordered by sea
cliffs and alternating stretches of sandy and
gravelly shores which are most extensive at the
head of Ghubbat Shu'ab (major beach area (14)).
A lagoon bordered by mangrove backs the cen-
tral part of this beach area. The sandy shores
are mostly backed by narrow pockets and belts of
sandy plain which give way close inland to steep
escarpments of the interior plateau.
On the southern side of the island extending 96
miles eastward from Ra's Shu'ab to Ra's Erisal,
the southern coastal plain is fringed by sandy
shores, and terminated at both ends by escarp-
ments and sea cliffs up to 1,500 feet in height
(FIGURE 22-46). The sandy brush-covered plain,
which is less dissected by streams than the north-
ern plain, has a maximum width of about 3 miles
and is covered extensively with dunes.
The mountainous brush- and tree-covered in-
terior of the island consists of a broad, undulating
plateau which is severely dissected by steep-sided
valleys and gorges drained by intermittent streams.
The gorges are deep and narrow and during rainy
periods would be extremely dangerous because of
flooding. On the western side of the island the
mountains have less elevation and wider separa-
tion and there is a large interior basinlike depres-
sion (FIGURE 22-47). This basin drains out on the
northern coastal plain behind or at the flanks of
major beach area (12) and in places the floor of
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CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5 NAVY - JUNE 1962
the basin is wide and flat. On the eastern side
of the island, deep, fingerlike valleys penetrate
into the mountainous interior.
The shores of the 6ff-1ying islands are predomi-
nantly rocky except for sandy stretches (two
landing places) on tie northern coast of 'Abd al
Karl, the largest isl d. 'Abd al Kari is about 21
miles long and 3 mi es wide and lies about 57 n.
miles southwest of S cotra. The inland terrain of
the island is mostly ocky and mountainous. The
northern coast of t e island has sandy shores
with a few rocky poi ts; its southern coast is com-
posed of abrupt cli s with mostly rocky shores.
Mountains in the ea tern part of the island have
two main summits, lmost 1,900 and over 2,400
feet high; the hills i the western part attain an
elevation of almost 90 feet.
Samllah, 7 miles long and 3 miles wide, lies about
36 n. miles eastward of 'Abd al Kari and 25 n.
miles southwestward of Socotra. It has rocky
shores, with the so thern coast fringed by pre-
cipitous bluffs. The 'sland rises to a table moun-
tain over 2,500 feet high whose summit is near
the middle of the island.
Darsa, albout 4 miles long and 2 miles wide, lies
9 n. miles east of S bah, and has rocky shores
backed by cliffs. Inh nd, a table summit rises to
about 1,300 feet an extends nearly the whole
length of the island.
Sabuniyah, locate about 10 n. miles off the
western tip of Socotr , is a small rocky islet reach-
ing a peak elevation o about 225 feet.
Approaches?Offsh ire approaches to Socotra are
clear except from th southwest and west. Here,
the islands of 'Abd 1 Kari, Samliah, Darsa, and
Sabuniyah lie in the approaches from 10 to 57 n.
miles off Socotra, bu are easily circumvented in
the deep waters s rrounding them. The 20-
fathom curve is fart est off the southern side of
Socotra where it lies 4bout 18 n. miles seaward but
closes to about 2 n. miles off the northern and
western sides.
The principal obstructions in the nearshore ap-
proaches to Socotra
which extend from 5
many parts of the c
areas lie close to th
An irregularly chart
lies less than 1,000
several embayments
miles seaward.
Approaches to the
eral clear, the major
re the rocks and coral reefs,
0 to 1,000 yards offshore off
ast. In many places rocky
shore below the waterline.
d 5-fathom curve generally
ards offshore, but there are
here it lies as far as 11/3 fl.
off-lying islands are in gen-
exception being the north-
em coast of 'Abd al .Karl. Two rocky islets with
peaks over 250 feet lie about 12 n. miles northwest
of the island. A 3 1/4-fathom shoal also lies 8 n.
PAGE 22-58
miles off the northwest corner of the island, and a
3-fathom shoal about 2 n. miles off the northeast
corner; rocks lie close inshore in places. The near-
shore approaches of Samllah and Darsa are partly
obstructed by scattered fringing reefs but seaward
of them approaches are clear.
Ports and urban areas?There are no ports or
urban areas on Socotra or its associated islands.
The principal village is Tamrida, the capital of
Socotra, about 8 miles east of major beach area
(13). Most of the main villages are scattered
along the northern side of the island. The popu-
lation is mostly pastoral in the inland regions
and centered in fishing villages on the coast. The
islands off Socotra are uninhabited, but 'Abd al
Kari is visited occasionally by itinerant fisher-
men.
Routes of communication?There are no roads
on Socotra or the off-lying islands. During World
War II a motorable track was constructed from
Ghubbat Qualansiyah at the western end of
Socotra to a now abandoned airfield at Raps Qur-
mah on the northeastern side of Ghubbat Qurmah,
but the track has fallen into disrepair. It still,
however, remains the principal coastal track
across the northern side of the island. A branch of
this track, also in disrepair, extends inland from
behind major beach area (12) to major beach
area (14) on the western side of Socotra. Else-
where, there are only trails, mostly suitable for
pack animals, which link the main villages. Ve-
hicular movement across the plains would be re-
stricted chiefly to lateral movement due to the
impenetrability of the mountains backing the
plains. Movement over the mountains between
the northern and southern coasts is difficult since
there are no motorable routes linking the north-
ern and southern plains. Foot troops could gain
access to the interior by means of the valleys or
dry streambeds dissecting the plateau; however,
during rainy periods, raging torrents race
through these valleys, barring any movement.
There are only a few scattered trails on the off-
lying islands.
Helicopter landing areasThe abandoned air-
Meld at Ra's Qurmah is most suitable for heli-
copter landings. Flat expanses on the plains and
the flat floor of part of the interior basin of the
inland plateau provide additional landing sites.
There are many small, relatively flat and clear
areas on the interior plateau that might be suit-
able for helicopter landing areas. Loose sand
and rocks may be a problem in places. Exits from
landing areas are essentially by cross-country
movement to widely scattered tracks and trails.
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CONFIDENTIAL
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NAVY-JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
b. Landing beaches
There are three major beach areas (12) through
(14), and three landing places in Subsector 3-B.
No minor beaches have been selected in this sub-
sector. The major beach areas are on the north
and west coasts of Socotra; one landing place is
on the north Coast of SOcotra, and two are on the
north coast of 'Abd al Karl.
The coasts in this subsector, in general, are un-
suited for amphibious landings because of such
features as rocks, banks, reefs, and escarpments.
Although no areas along these coasts are con-
sidered ideal for amphibious landings, a few beaches
and landing places have been selected where ap-
proaches, beach characteristics, and exits to the
inland terrain most nearly meet the requirements
for amphibious landings.
The southeastern 5-mile section of major beach
area (12) is considered the best suited for an am-
phibious landing. This section of the beach has
generally favorable approaches and physical char-
acteristics, and exit is cross-country to a track
leading inland.
One major beach is 17 miles long, and the other
two are 1 and 13/4 miles in length. Major beach
area (12) contains an unusable section where
backed by a salt water lagoon. Beach widths at
low water levels range from 40 to 90 yards and
at high water levels from 5 to 20 yards. The
beach gradients in the low water to high water
zone range from moderate to gentle; gradients in
the high water zone are steep. The beach ma-
terials are sand which is firm in the wetted
area and soft where dry, or sand and gravel which
is probably loose.
The approaches to the major beaches are, in
general, clear. The nearshore bottom material
consists of sand or sand mixed with rocks, coral,
and mud. Nearshore bottom slopes range from
steep to mild. Anchorages are located in the vi-
cinity of all the beaches.
Diurnal tides of about 51/2 feet occur in this sub-
sector. The expected average occurrence of surf
4 feet or greater is infrequent during all months
on major beach area (14). The average occur-
rence of surf 4 feet or greater on the remaining
beaches ranges from 7% to 14% of the time dur-
ing October through April; it is 4% in May and
infrequent during all other months.
In general, the beaches are backed by sandy
plains or a valley partly covered with brush,
drained by wadies, and extending inland to a pla-
teau covered with brush and trees. Villages are
located in the vicinity of most of the beaches.
Exits are by cross-country movement. Tracks are
located in the vicinity of all beaches. An un-
classified airfield is near two beaches.
CONFIDENTIAL
In general the approaches to the landing places
are clear. The landing places are backed by nar-
row sandy plains or steep cliffs rising to a plateau.
Exits are by cross-country movement or 133 track.
Tabular descriptions for the major beaches are
given in FIGURE 22-11. Location of the major
beaches and landing places are shown on the lo-
cation map, FIGURE 22-73.
3. Subsector 3-C: Capo Guardafui to Somali Re-
public - Kenya border
11?50'N., 51?17'E. to 1?40'S., 41?34'E.
(FIGURES 22-73 through 22-75; USHO Charts
1586, 3882, and 1606)
Subsector 3-C extends about 1,255 coastline
miles southwestward from Capo Guardafui to
the Somali Republic - Kenya border. The shores
are mostly sandy but there are some prominent
rocky stretches in the center of the subsector and
some muddy stretches at the southwestern end.
Most of the shores are backed by steep rocky
slopes, cliffs, and bluffs that range up to several
hundred feet in height in the northeastern half
of the subsector but are generally only several
feet high in the southwestern half. Nine major
beach areas, two minor beach areas, and eight
landing places have been selected in this sub-
sector.
The coastal terrain in the northeast is mainly
a plateau with some separated coastal plains; in
the southwest there are broad coastal plains. In
the northeast the plateau is about 250 to 400 feet
above sea level and ranges from about 5 to 25
miles in width in most places. Progressing south-
ward the plateau decreases in elevation, gradually
becoming a coastal plain that is generally little
above the level of the sea and slopes gently in-
land from 80 to 120 miles before elevations of
1,000 feet are attained. The northeastern part of
the subsector is intersected by several large deeply
entrenched streams, and broad areas are fur-
rowed by many small seasonal watercourses. The
southwestern part of the subsector is intersected
principally by the Uebi Scebeli and Fiume Giuba,
the only perennial rivers in the NIS Area. The
dominant vegetation in the northern and central
parts of the subsector is scattered clump grass
and low desert brush which increases in density
toward the interior where there is some cultiva-
tion and large areas of pastureland. On the south-
ern part of the plain, the vegetation is more
dense and there are areas of marsh and swamp,
some of which border the shore.
The greater part of the subsector is generally
unfavorable for large-scale amphibious landings
primarily because of obstructed approaches, steep
escarpments, and poor transportation routes.
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CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5 NAVY ? JUNE 1962
FIGURE 22-11. MAJOR BEACH AREAS
(Map reference:
BEACH NUMBER AND
LOCATION
LENGTH AND USABLE
LENGTH
WIDTHS: AT Lw.;
AT H.W.
BEACH GRADIENTS:
L.W. TO H.W.
H.W. ZONE
APPROACH
(12) Ra's Kadarina
SE. on N. coast of
Socotra, between
12?43'N., 53?38'E.
and
12?37'N., 53?51'E.
(Flo. 22-44)
(Reliability: FAIR)
(13) Centered 18%
mi. E. of Ra's Ka-
darma on N. coast of
Socotra, at
12?39'N., 53?54'E.
(Reliability: FAIR)
(14) Centered 4%' mi.
S. of Ra's Baduwa on
W. coast of Socotra,
at
12?35'N., 53?24'E.
(Reliability: FAIR)
17 mi.; slightly concave;
terminated to NW. by
point and to SE. where
fronted by rocks and
reefs; unusable section
in SE. part where
backed by salt water
lagoon; nearly all us-
able.
1 mi.; concave; terminated
by rock- and reef-fringed
shores; all usable.
1,% mi.; concave; termi-
nated to N. where
backed by cliff and to
S. by steep escarpment;
all usable.
40 to 80 yd. at 1 on 15 to 1 on 35,
L.W.; 10 to 20 L.W. to H.W.; 1
yd. at H.W. on 10 or steeper
in II.W. zone.
55 to 90 yd. at 1 on 25 to 1 on 40,
L.W.; 5 to 15 L.W. to H.W.; 1
yd. at H.W. on 10 or steeper
in 11.W. zone.
50 to 85 yd. at
LW.; 10 to 15
yd. at H.W.
1 on 20 to 1 on 40,
L.W. to H.W.; 1
on 10 or steeper
in H.W. zone.
Nearshore bottom slopes moderate to
mild shoreward of discontinuous
18-ft. depth contour 135 to 945 yd.
off H.W. line of SE. and center
parts and unknown off remainder;
discontinuous 30-ft. depth contour
360 to 1,350 yd. off HW. line;
offshore approach restricted to bay
and clear; nearshore approach
partly obstructed in SE. part by
shifting bars with least depth of 12
ft. as far as 400 yd. off ]LW. line
and flanked to E. by rocks and reef-
fringed shore; bottom sand, rocks,
and coral; anchorage in 30. to 36-ft.
depths 1,300 yd. off NW. end, bot-
tom sand.
Nearshore bottom slopes gentle shore-
ward of 18-ft. depth contour 270
to 450 yd. off H.W. line; 304 t.
depth contour 540 to 810 yd. off
H.W. line; offshore approach clear;
nearshore approach clear but
flanked by rocks and reefs; bottom
sand, rocks, and prob. mud; an-
chorage in 30- to 36-ft. depths
n. mi. SW. of W. end, bottom sand.
Nearshore bottom slopes steep to
gentle shoreward of 18-ft. depth
contour 90 to 370 yd. off E.W. line;
30-ft. depth contour 450 to 1,000
yd. off H.W. line; offshore approach
restricted to bay and clear; near-
shore approach clear; bottom sand;
anchorage in 60-ft. depth 1,400 yd.
off N. part, bottom sand.
NOTE
Beach lengths and distances along the coast and inland are expressed in statute miles; distances across water are expressed
in nautical miles except when referring to beach locations. Italicized words refer to terms defined in Subsection A, 4, d.
However, the area h the vicinity of Itala in the
southwestern part f the subsector affords the
most suitable condit ons for amphibious landings
in the NIS Area. In this area the terrain is gen-
erally flat, cross-country movement is good, and
there are surfaced and unsurf aced roads that
connect with the t sI eletal network of roads and
tracks which serve th country.
The offshore apprOaches to the coast are clear
in most places, but he nearshore approaches are
partly obstructed blY islets, rocks, shoals, and
reefs; a chain of small reef-fringed islands ex-
tend from Chisimaio to the Kenya border. A
number of anchoraOes are available along the
coast but the only prOtected anchorage is in a har-
bor at Chisimaio.
Minor ports are lo ated at Dante, Merca, Brava,
Mogadiscio, and C isimaio; however, there are
also several places w1iere cargoes are handled over
PAGE 22-60
the shores. The most important of the ports are
Mogadiscio, the capital and largest city in the
Somali Republic, and Chisimaio, which is the lo-
cation of the only natural harbor in the subsector.
Outside the port areas, nomads and seminomads
are the principal inhabitants in the subsector, al-
though there is permanent habitation in the ag-
ricultural areas on the southwestern part of the
plain.
A sparse network of surfaced and unsurf aced
roads is augmented by a network of tracks and
trails. Except for a short narrow-gage railway
in the vicinity of the minor port of Dante, there
are no railroads in the subsector. The Fiume
Giuba, on the southwestern part of the plain, can
be navigated by shallow-draft craft for a distance
of about 300 miles.
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NAVY ? JUNE 1962
OF COASTAL SUBSECTOR 3?B
FIGURE 22-73)
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
CONFIDENTIAL
SURF AND TIDAL RANGE
MATERIAL AND
FIRMNESS
TERRAIN IMMEDIATELY BEHIND BEACH
EXITS AND COMMUNICATIONS INLAND
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex- Sand; firm in wet-
pected to occur 14% of the ted area, soft
Segment of SE. part backed by man-Exit cross-country as far as 7 mi.
grove-fringed salt water lagoon; re-to coastal track; another track
time Oct.?Apr., 4% in May, where dry.
and infrequently in all other
mainder of beach and lagoon backed leads
by sandy plain partly covered with part;
inland from behind SE.
unclassified airfield mi.
months; tidal range 53-' ft.,
diurnal.
brush, drained by numerous wadies, E. of
and extending as far as 4 mi. inland
to escarpment rising to plateau;
plateau dissected by valleys covered
with brush and trees; scattered huts
on plain behind SE. part; village 4
mi. NE. of SE. end.
SE. end.
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex- Sand; firm in
pected to occur 7% of the time ted area,
Oct.?Apr., 4% in May, and in- where dry.
frequently in all other months;
tidal range 5 ft., diurnal.
Surf 4 ft. or greater infrequent in
all months; tidal range ft.,
diurnal.
wet-
soft
Backed by sandy plain partly covered
with brush, drained by wadies, and
extending as far as 5 mi. inland to
escarpment rising to plateau; plateau
dissected by valleys covered with
brush and trees; village close behind
beach.
Exit cross-country as far as 2 mi.
to coastal track; unclassified air-
field 3 mi. S. of beach.
Sand and gravel; Backed by partly brush-covered valley Exit cross-country or by track
prob. loose. drained by wadies and extending 1 leading inland from S. part.
mi. inland to foothills; valley flanked
by escarpments to plateau; plateau
dissected by valleys covered with
brush and trees; lagoon, bordered by
mangroves, close behind center part.
A Class 2 airfield is located at Mogadiscio, a Class
4 facility is at Chisimaio, and there is a Class 4 fa-
cility at Gelib, about 60 miles north of Chisimaio.
Several airfields are also maintained in the hinter-
land. There are no classified seaplane stations;
however, landing areas are available in the vicinity
of Dante, Brava, Chisimaio, and Mogadiscio. Be-
sides the airfields, there are broad areas on the
coastal plain suitable for the landing of helicop-
ters.
a. Coast
Coastal Segment [1], Capo Guardafui to the
western end of major beach area (17) (185 coast-
line miles; USHO Chart 1586)
General?The segment has a partly irregular
coast and at the southern end there is a pen-
insula composed of a hilly promontory that is
linked to the mainland by a long, low, narrow
isthmus (FIGURES 22-48 through 22-54, and FIG-
URE 22-73) . Except for the hilly promontory and
CONFIDENTIAL
a small sandy area south of Capo Guardafui, the
coastal area is composed of two comparatively
narrow flat plains that are separated by a steep-
sided tableland near the center of the segment.
Sandy shores which are backed in places by low
cliffs, bluffs, and beach scarps border the plains;
mountains and plateaus rise from their inland mar-
gins. The plains are either rocky or sandy and
are intersected by several large and many small
intermittent streams, which are deeply entrenched
in places. Although most of the coastal areas are
barren, there are scattered clumps of grass and
brush.
Although three major beach areas and one land-
ing place have been selected in this segment, it
is not favorable for amphibious landings, primarily
because of confined lateral movement and poor
egress into the interior. The best landing area is
major beach area (1,7) which is partly backed by
a broad coastal plain.
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CONFIDENTIAL N 1 S 5 5
Cross-country movement is fair over the coastal
plains but very poor in the interior mountains
and plateaus. The sparse network of tracks serve
the coastal segment. There are no air facilities
on the plains, but Class 2 air facilities are located
at Alula (Subsector 0-A), about 38 miles west of
Capo Guardafui, and at Scusciuban, about 47 miles
west of major beach area (17). A seaplane land-
ing area is in the vicinity of major beach area
(17). The plain inland from major beach area
(15) is the best su4ed area for helicopter land-
ing, but there are potential landing areas else-
where on the plains or tablelands.
Shore and coastal terrain?The greater part of
the segment is borde ed by generally sandy shores
(major beach areas (15) through (17) and 1 land-
ing place; FIGURES 2-48 through 22-54). There
are, however, severa sections of rocky cliffs and
sandy bluffs, the northernmost stretch of which
extends about 15 m' es southward from the pre-
cipitous headland cf Capo Guardafui to Ras
Shenaghef, the steep eastern end of a tableland
over 2,000 feet high. About 20 miles south of RaS
Shenaghef, a large lroded detached hill (FIGURE
22-48) backs a narr w rocky steep-sided terrace
which borders the s a. Rocky cliff-bound shores
are also found arou d Ras Binnah, near the cen-
ter of the segment, 4nd around Ras Hafun, near
the southern end f the segment. Scattered
ponds, swamps, and 1 goons closely back the shores
along the central and southern parts of the seg-
ment.
The intervening terrain between Capo Guarda-
fui and Ras Shenag ef is a relatively small, ele-
vated, undulating ba ren sandy area. The south-
ern part of the are is intersected by an inter-
mittent stream near he mouth of which is a land-
ing place.
The coastal terrai south of Ras Shenaghef to
the end of the segm nt is composed of two plains
separated near the enter by a narrow stream-
cut tableland. Th s tableland terminates in
400-foot cliffs at Ras Binnah (FIGURES 22-49 and
li
22-50) and extends about 28 miles south-south-
westward of the poii t. The plain lying between
Ras Shenaghef and Ras Binnah is bordered by
sandy shores; along the southern part is major
beach area (15). Thre plain, narrow in the north,
progressively broadens to a width of about 10 miles
west of Ras Binnah
tinues farther south
tableland.
A sandy shore (m
22-49 and 22-50) e
Binnah along the s
of the end of the ta
westward from Ras
to over 10 miles a
. This northern plain con-
ward inland of the narrow
PAGE 22-62
j or beach area (16); FIGURES
tends southward from Ras
thern coastal plain. South
leland which extends south-
Binnah, the plain broadens
d extends to the southern
NAVY?JUNE 1962
limit of the segment (FIGURE 22-51). An isthmus
about 15 miles long and between 1,000 yards and
2 miles wide extends eastward from the south-
ern end of the broad plain. It is composed of sand,
shells, and mud, and along the southern side there
is a sandy shore (major beach area (17); FIGURES
22-51, 22-52, and 22-54) that extends westward
to cliffs that form the southern limit of the seg-
ment. The hilly promontory at the end of the
peninsula is about 14 miles long, between 4 and
10 miles wide, and ranges from 400 to 600 feet in
height. Its eastern section is perfectly flat, and
the interior is composed of hills and ravines
(FIGURE 22-53).
Throughout the segment, the plains are inter-
sected by several broad intermittent streams and
a number of small seasonally dry streams, many
of which are entrenched in their lower reaches.
During the dry periods the mouths of the streams
are closed by sandbars, creating many water-
filled inlets. There is a large seasonal lagoon
close west of Ras Binnah (FIGURE 22-49), and
swamps, ponds, and lagoons are scattered along
the narrow low areas behind the shores. Rock
outcrops and sandy areas, principally drifting
dunes, characterize most of the coastal plains
(FIGURE 22-51). There are some relatively thick
stands of low brush; however, the greater part of
the plains are either barren or are covered with
scattered grass and brush.
The terrain inland of the coastal plains is com-
posed of high steep escarpments and generally
rugged slopes that rise to tablelands and low
mountains.
Approaches?The offshore approaches to the
segment are in general deep and clear. Scattered
rocks, shoals, and sandbars are near the coast,
and a wreck is located near the shore about 71/2
n. miles southwest of Ras Shenaghef. The 5-
fathom- curve is not charted as deep water closely
approaches the shores; however, depths are gen-
erally shoal in the embayments north and south
of major beach area (17). In the large embay-
ment on the northern side of the isthmus there
are charted depths of less than 11/2 fathoms over
sand and rocks, and the entrance is reported to
be slowly filling up with sand.
Ports and urban areas?The coastal area is
sparsely populated. There are several small set-
tlements and villages, but most of the habitations
are centered around a very large saltworks in the
southern part of the segment. The salt refineries
are located in the vicinity of Hordio, situated
along the embayment on the north side of the
isthmus. The town is small and has about 1,200
inhabitants. By means of an overhead trans-
porter, salt is brought from Hordio across the em-
bayment to warehouses thence by an overhead
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY-JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
conveyor to an offshore loading point near the
eastern end of major beach area (17). Dante is
a minor port (FIGURE 22-53) and is the only port
in the segment. Most of the inhabitants support-
ing the loading of salt live in huts scattered over
the eastern end of the isthmus behind the beach.
The present status of the loading facilities is not
known. Cargoes are also handled over the shore
at Bargal north of major beach area (15).
Routes of communication?Transportation
routes are sparse and consist principally of a
coastal track with several branches extending
westward into the interior. The coastal route,
ranging as far as 7 miles inland, passes west of
the large detached hill on the plain south of Ras
Shenaghef, and then extends through a narrow
gorge intersecting the tableland which trends
southwestward from Ras Binnah. The village of
Tohen in the valley between Capo Guardafui and
Ras Shenaghef is joined to Alula (Subsector 3-A)
by an unsurfaced road. A short railroad, prob-
ably narrow gage, extends northward from Dante
along the southwestern side of the hilly promon-
tory.
Cross-country movement over the plains is un-
obstructed in many places; however, near the
shores it is impeded by entrenched streams,
swamps, ponds, and lagoons. Rock outcrops may
obstruct movement in places, and the sand dunes
are generally impassable. Because of escarp-
ments and rugged terrain, egress into the in-
terior from the coastal plains is generally con-
fined to the tracks or the one unsurf aced road
extending westward from the coastal route.
Helicopter landing areas?Broad areas on the
plain north of Ras Binnah are available for heli-
copter landings. The sand dunes limit the ex-
tent of landing areas on the plain south of Has
Binnah. The principal hazards in the landing
areas are entrenched streams, swamps, lagoons,
outcroppings of rock, and loose sand. Exits
from the helicopter landing areas are cross-
country and are good in localized areas, but move-
ment to adjacent areas and into the interior is ob-
structed by steep escarpments and the rugged
mountain slopes. Helicopter landings are also
feasible on many parts of the tablelands backing
the coastal lowlands (see FIGURE 22-48) ; however,
movement here is seriously impeded by the nu-
merous deep ravines and valleys.
Coastal Segment [2], Major Beach Area (17) to
El Meghet (580 coastline miles; USHO Charts 3881
and 3882)
General?The coastal area is a gently sloping
plateau or elevated plain about 5 to 25 miles
wide in the north and progressively broadening to
over 100 miles in the south (FrouREs 22-54 through
CONFIDENTIAL
22-56, and 22-.73 and 22-74). The coast is bor-
dered by rocky slopes, cliffs, and bluffs, which are
mostly fringed by rocky or gravel shores, but
there are some scattered sandy stretches. Off-
shore approaches are relatively clear, but the
nearshore approaches are partly obstructed by
rocks, shoals, and reefs. There are no ports,
and only exposed anchorages are available.
The coastal segment is not favorable for am-
phibious landings primarily because there are
only three available landing places, and these are
hemmed in between the steep slopes, cliffs, and
bluffs bordering the coast; however, the most fa-
vored landing place is at Obbia where an unsur-
faced road provides movement northward along
the coast, and a surfaced road leads inland.
In the north the plateau is generally rugged
and is furrowed by many intermittent streams
which make cross-country movement difficult.
The broad southern part of the plateau is lower
and less dissected, and cross-country movement is
generally impeded only by sarklhills, dunes, and
scattered detached hills.
A Class 2 air facility is located about 47 miles
west of major beach area (17) and a Class 3 fa-
cility is at Gardo about 95 miles farther south-
west. There is also a Class 4 airfield at Rocca
Littorio about 125 miles northwest of Obbia. In
addition to the air facilities, large areas on the
broad southern part of the plateau are suitable
for the landing of helicopters.
Shore and coastal terrain?The coastal terrain
is bordered by a generally unbroken line of rocky
slopes, cliffs, and bluffs (FrouREs 22-54 through
22-56), which are highest in the north and become
progressively lower toward the south. The coast
is steep and is fringed by either gravel or rocky
shores; however, there are short stretches of
sandy shores (three landing places) at the
mouths of stream valleys and along the heads of
the numerous coves. The shores of the northern
part of the segment between major beach area
(17) and El Fosc, a watering hole about 50 miles
south of Baia del Negro, are backed by cliffs and
bluffs ranging from 250 to 400 feet in elevation.
Between El Fosc and El Meghet the cliffs and
bluffs, in general, range downward to less than 50
feet, although in places heights are considerably
greater. Many of the latter stretches of the
bluffs and cliffs rise to long, narrow rocky and
sandy terraces backed by high steep rocky escarp-
ments.
The terrain inland behind the cliffs and bluffs is
an undulating plateau or ' elevated plain that
gently rises inland and decreases in height from
north to south. In the northern part of the seg-
ment the plateau reaches inland from 5 to 25
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CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5
miles to mountains Which are penetrated by val-
leys, the largest of Oiich extends about 65 mi1e4
northwestward from he shore at Baia del Negro;
The plateau decrease in height southward where
it becomes only a sli htly elevated plain and pro-
gressively broadens t over 100 miles wide west of
the town of Obbia. Detached hills are scattered
over the plain, and isolated low mountain lieS
about 22 miles west cf Obbia. High sandhills are
scattered over the el vated plain and form long
continuous lines neaif the shores. There are also
many broad areas of generally barren sand partly
covered with shifting dunes. In the coastal area
between major beach area (17) and Baia del
Negro, several large intermittent streams have
cut broad steep-sided gorges into the plateau, and
the terrain adjacent o the cliffs and rocky slopes
along the coast is f rrowed by many short sea-
sonally dry streams. There is an almost complete
absence of streams (See FIGURE 22-56) on the sea-
ward side of the plateau between Baia del Negro
and El :Meghet; how ver, the Uebi Scebeli lies far
inland at the south? end of the segment and in-
termittent streams i tersect small areas in the
interior.
The vegetation in the northern part of the seg-
ment is composed o generally sparse stands of
grass and low dese t brush interspersed with
broad areas of barren sand and rock. The greater
part of the terrain bordering the sea between
Garad, a small village
del Negro, and El M
though there is som
Progressing westwar
sity of the vegetati
ports nomadic .stockr
livelihood of the nati
about 70 miles south of Baia.
ghet is generally barren al-
scattered grass and brush,
into the interior, the den-
ti the grass sup-
ising which is the principal
es. Broad fields of grass are
enclosed by thickets and hedges set on founda-
tions of raised earth. There is also some subsist-
ence cultivation.
Approaches?The Offshore approaches are gen-
erally clear, although there are widely separated
rocks, shoals, and ree s lying as far as 51/2 n. miles
from shore. Deep ater closely borders long
stretches of the coas between major beach area
(17) and Obbia, else here the 6-fathom curve iS
charted and lies mo tly within 1 n. mile of the
shore but ranges as ar as 2% n. miles offshore
From Obbia southwa d to El Meghet the 6-fathom
curve ranges as fa as 3 n. miles seaward, al-
though the greater p rt of the curve lies less than
11/2 n. miles offshore. Within the 6-fathom curve
are scattered shoals nd rocks, and parts of the
shores are bordered 1y reefs. In general, the sea
approach area is ina equately charted. Charted
data should be used vith caution, and there may
be uncharted dangers.
PAGE 22-64
NAVY - JUNE 1962
Ports and urban areas?There are no classified
ports; however, cargoes ,are handled at Bender
Beila, about 56 miles south of major beach area
(1,7), and at Obbia. The town of Obbia, with
about 2,000 inhabitants, is the largest of several
permanently inhabited centers on the coast.
South of Baia del Negro there are many wells and
waterholes, around which are the portable huts
of nomads and seminomads, the principal inhabit-
ants on the plain.
Routes of communication?The shores are
closely paralleled by a track, and a network of
tracks link many wells and waterholes in the cen-
tral and southern parts of the segment. Sur-
faced roads extend into the interior from Bender
Bella and from Obbia. Also, an unsurfaced road
extends about 134 miles northward from Obbia to
the town of El Hamurre. About 65 miles south-
west of Obbia, another unsurfaced road, ranging
from several hundred yards to about 12 miles in-
land, extends to Itala, about 43 miles southwest of
El Meghet.
Cross-country movement on the plateau be-
tween major beach area (17) and Garad is impeded
by rugged terrain near the shore that is furrowed
by the many intermittent streams. On the plain
between Garad and El Meghet cross-country move-
ment is unimpeded over broad areas. The major
obstructions are sandhills and dunes; however,
the vegetation in the interior is an obstacle, par-
ticularLy where thickets enclose cultivated areas
and pastureland.
Helicopter landing areas?Because of the
rugged terrain between major beach area (VI) and
Garad, helicopter landing areas are available only
in scattered places. Between Garad and El
Meghet there are extensive landing areas on
which the major hazards are sandhills and broad
areas of loose sand with dunes. Exits from the
helicopter landing areas are generally cross-
country.
Coastal Segment [3], El Meghet to Somali Re-
public ? Kenya border (490 coastline miles; USHO
Charts 1606 and 3881)
General?The coastal area consists of a broad,
gently inclined, flat-to-rolling plain which extends
far inland and is mainly covered with brush, al-
though grass and cultivation become prominent
in the southwestern half of the segment (FIG-
URES 22-57 through 22-62C, 22-74 and 22-75). A
low interrupted escarpment fronts the plain in
the northeastern half of the segment. The shores
throughout the segment are predominantly sandy
and are backed in most places by sandhills and
dunes. Six major beach areas, two minor beach
areas, and four landing places have been selected
along this coast.
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY-JUNE 1962
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CONFIDENTIAL
In general, the segment is one of the most suit-
able in the NIS Area for amphibious operations, al-
though heavy breakers occur on the shores dur-
ing part of the year, especially during the south-
west monsoon. The area best suited for large-
scale operations is in the vicinity of Itala. Suit-
able nearshore bottom slopes, and the availability
of roads and tracks, and extensive, relatively flat
terrain makes this area most suitable.
Offshore approaches are in general clear; near-
shore approaches are partly obstructed by reefs,
shoals, islands, and islets. There are a number of
open anchorages, but the harbor at Chisimaio af-
fords the only protected anchorage.
A skeletal network of roads and tracks, prob-
ably the densest net of the NIS Area, serves the
coastal region. Throughout most of the coastal
area, cross-country movement is unrestricted ex-
cept for local obstacles most of which can be
easily bypassed. Movement inland for long dis-
tances over flat-to-rolling terrain is mostly unim-
peded. Classified air facilities, suitable also for
helicopter landing areas, include a Class 2 airfield
at Mogadiscio and Class 4 facilities at Chisimaio
and Gelib. Unclassified seaplane stations are lo-
cated at Mogadiscio, Brava, and Chisimaio.
Shore and coastal terrain?The predominantly
sandy shores (six major beach areas, two minor
beach areas, and four landing places; FIGURES
22-57, and 22-59A through 22-62C) are fringed in
scattered areas by drying coral reefs and inter-
rupted in places by rocky stretches and marine
cliffs which rise from the water's edge. Near the
southern extremity of the segment there are scat-
tered areas of fringing mangrove. Immediately
backing most of the shores are fairly continuous
lines of sandhills and dunes which parallel the
shores at short distances inland. Behind these
hills and dunes lies a large, relatively flat-to-
rolling plain which slopes gently and almost im-
perceptibly upward to elevations of 1,000 feet
about 80 to 120 miles behind the shores.
In the northeastern half of the segment from
El Meghet about 240 miles southwest to Brava,
fairly regular sandy shores are sporadically inter-
rupted by low cliffy points fringed by rocks. The
shores are backed almost throughout by a low
escarpment, but in places where the escarpment
disappears the sandy shores are backed by low
sandy terrain. A break in the escarpment occurs
in the vicinity of Itala, a town about 45 miles
southwest of El Meghet, where sandy shores (ma-
jor beach areas (18) through (20); FIGURE 22-57)
are backed by low terrain. Between Itala and
Mogadiscio, about 85 miles farther southwest, the
escarpment again appears and the shores are al-
ternately rocky and sandy (one landing place).
CONFIDENTIAL
Seawalls and embankments front the seaward
side of Mogadiscio (FrauRE 22-58), but southwest
of the town there is a low sandy stretch (minor
beach area 15; FIGURES 22-59A and 22-59B). The
low escarpment extends from Mogadiscio 45 miles
southwest to Merca where there are sandy shores
(minor beach area 16; FIGURE 22-60). For the re-
maining 65-mile stretch of coast from Merca to
Brava, the escarpment becomes less prominent
and the sandy shores (one landing place) are in-
terrupted by rocky and cliffy patches. Sandy
shores again front the coast north and south of
Brava (major beach areas (21) and (22), and 2
landing places; FIGURES 22-61 through 22-62B).
Behind the virtually unbroken escarpment
stretching from El Meghet southwestward to the
vicinity of Brava are long lines of sandhills and
dunes, which in places lie at or close behind the
shores and interrupt the otherwise flat expanse
of the plain. Behind the hills and dunes, how-
ever, the partly brush-covered sandy plain extends
for considerable distances inland and varies from
flat to undulating; rolling terrain is created by
the scattered sandhills that dot the plain. Desert
and semidesert-type vegetation covers the plain
and consists mainly of thorny brush interspersed
with large areas of barren sand. Cultivation is
limited to small areas immediately surrounding
the towns and is restricted to subsistence needs.
The part of the plain from El Meghet to Brava
is principally dissected by the perennial river, the
Uebi Scebeli. Northwest of Mogadiscio this river
flows generally parallel to the coast, then divides
into two tributaries at Merca, and southwest of
Brava reunites into one main channel. In its
lower reaches, the river dissipates in the intermit-
tent marshes and seasonal swamps that flank the
river without reaching the sea. Low areas adja-
cent to the river are subject to inundation during
rainy periods and severe flooding is not uncom-
mon. In the valley of the Uebi Scebeli, immedi-
ately fringing the riverbanks, there is extensive
tree growth and marsh vegetation, and the sur-
rounding plain is cultivated.
In the southwestern half of the segment (from
Brava about 250 miles southwestward to the
Kenya border) the coastline is very regular be-
tween Brava and Chisimaio, about 145 miles to
the southwest, but beyond Chisimaio it becomes
quite irregular and is broken by numerous cliffs,
rivers, and intermittent streams. Between Brava
and Chisimaio there is an almost uninterrupted
stretch of sandy shore backed by narrow belts of
sand dunes and occasional sandhills. At Chisi-
maio the shores are sandy (major beach area
(23) ; FIGURE 22-62C) but to the southwest, rocky
shores fringe the cliffs and elsewhere, the shores
are alternately sandy or muddy and fringed by
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NIS 55 NAVY-JUNE 1962
partly drying coral reefs. Most conspicuous in
the southwestern half of the segment is the ab-
sence of the low esearpment backing the shore
that characterizes
half. In its place, w
appearance to stretc
be mistaken for an
mangrove-studded la
most of the fringing
creeks and inlets n
segment.
uch of the northeastern
ve-cut dunes give a blufflike
es of the coast, which may
carpment. There is a large
oon north of Chisimaio, but
mangrove is confined to the
ar the southern end of the
Behind? the coastal sand dunes is a flat-to-
undulating plain extending over 100 miles inland
with little change in elevation. The section of the
plain from Brava to the Kenya border is more dis-
sected by intermittent streams than the north-
eastern half and is principally drained by the
Fiume Giuba, the largest perennial river in the
Somali Republic. This river flows from the north,
passes close to the terminating marshes and
swamps of the Uebi Scebeli, and empties into the
Indian Ocean about 10 miles northeast of Chisi-
maio. Its valley, ilk
cultivated. The veg
from the desert and
northeastern half i
and brush with a va
banks of the intermit
A chain of .island
mainland and exten
miles southwest to t
that of the Uebi Scebeli, is
tation on the plain changes
semidesert-type found in the
to broad areas of grassland
iety of tree growth along the
eat streams.
lies 2 to 3 n. miles off the
s from Chisimaio over 100
e Kenya border. The large
islands have sandy shores fringed by reef and cov-
ered for the most part by sand dunes and hills.
Many of the smaller islands, however, are rocky
and barren.
Approaches?In the northeastern half of the
segment the offshore approaches are clear. The
principal obstruction
is an almost contin
from 1 to 2 n. miles
cover at low water.
shore in many plac
in the nearshore approaches
ous fringing reef extending
offshore, parts of which un-
socks and shoals lie close in-
s and there are a few scat-
tered islets. Where charted, the 6-fathom curve
ranges from 500 yards to almost 2 n. miles off-
shore.
In the southwestern half of the segment off-
shore approaches are also clear. There are rocks,
reefs, and shoals in the vicinity of Brava, but
otherwise, nearshore approaches are relatively
clear as far southwe tward as the vicinity of Chi-
simaio. From Chis* aio to the Kenya border, a
broad fringing reef is the principal obstruction, to-
gether with the chaih of islands which lie mostly
within the 6-fathom curve. The approaches to
these islands are Obstructed by rocks, shoal
patches, and connecting reefs. The 6-fathom
curve ranges from 1,500 yards to 5 n. miles off-
shore.
Ports and urban areas?Mogadiscio, Merca,
Brava, and Chisimaio are all minor ports. Mo-
gadiscio, also the capital of the Somali Republic,
has the largest population density and is the larg-
est urban area in Sector 3. The remaining areas
of permanent population are centered in the small
agricultural villages scattered throughout the
coastal area. Large segments Of population, how-
ever, are cattle-raising nomads.
Routes of communication?The coastal zone is
served by a track which traverses the length of
the segment from 100 yards to about 2 miles in-
land from El Meghet southwestward to Chisi-
maio; it lies much farther inland for most of the
stretch southwest of Chisimaio. An unsurf aced
road roughly parallels the coastal track at varia-
ble distances inland throughout most of the seg-
ment and serves as a connecting link with the
larger towns. Two all-weather surfaced roads ex-
tend into the hinterland from Mogadiscio, and a
short stretch of surfaced road serves the town
of Merca. Elsewhere, numerous tracks branch
from the principal coastal track into the hinter-
land. There are no railroad facilities in the seg-
ment.
Another route of inland communication is the
Fiume Giuba, the only navigable river in the NIS
Area. The entrance to the river is limited by an
extensive sandbar which is subject to seasonal as
well as yearly change and is variously reported
to have a least depth of 3 to 6 feet at high water.
Inside the entrance bar, depths range from 7 to
20 feet for several miles upstream, and an esti-
mated average depth of 4 feet prevails for an ad-
ditional 300 miles or so upstream. The river is
perennially navigable by shallow-draft craft for
about 23 miles upstream while during the period
of March or April through November, craft draw-
ing up to 3 feet can navigate more than 300
miles upstream to Bardera (2?20'N., 42?17'E).
Throughout its length, however, navigation is dif-
ficult at all times due to shifting channels and
sandbars and the tortuous course of the river.
Cross-country movement is generally good and
unrestricted for long distances across the almost
level plain. Local obstacles to vehicular move-
ment are steep sandhills and dunes, widely spaced
streams, marshes, and swamps, and the more
dense areas of brush, most of which are located
chiefly in the southwestern half of the segment.
These obstacles can be bypassed for the most part.
Helicopter landing areas?There are several
classified air facilities in the segment which can
be used for helicopter landings. These include a
Class 2 air facility at Mogadiscio, and Class 4 fa-
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NAVY-JUNE 1962 MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
cilities at Chisimaio and Gelib, about 60 miles
northwest of Chisimaio. Elsewhere, there are nu-
merous areas on the almost flat plain which are
suitable as additional landing sites. Exits from
the airfields and landing sites are generally easy
via cross-country movement or by means of roads
and tracks.
b. Landing beaches
There are nine major beach areas, (15) through
(23); two minor beach areas, 15 and 16; and eight
landing places in Subsector 3-C. The major
beaches are located in the vicinity of the large vil-
lages of Bargal and Dante in the northern part
of this subsector and near Itala, Brava, and Chi-
simaio in the south part. The minor beaches
front Mogadiscio and Merca. The landing places
are unevenly distributed along the coast through-
out the subsector.
The coasts in this subsector, in general, are un-
suited for amphibious landings because of such
features as fringing reefs, rocks, banks, cliffs,
and dunes. Although no areas along this coast
are ideal for amphibious landings, a few beaches
and landing places have been selected in areas
where approaches, exits, and beach characteris-
tics most nearly meet the requirements for am-
phibious landings.
Major beach area (18) is considered best suited
for amphibious landings in spite of minor ob-
structing features in the nearshore approaches.
The beach has moderate to gentle bottom slopes
and good exits to unsurfaced roads.
One major beach is 27 miles long, and the re-
maining beaches range from 11/4 to 8 miles in
length. A few beaches have interruptions. The
beach widths at low water levels range from 30
to 300 yards; widths at high water range from 10
to 30 yards. The beach gradients in the low water
to high water zone range from steep to flat, and
in the high water zone the gradients are steep.
The beach material is sand which is firm in the
wetted area and soft where dry.
The offshore approaches to nearly all of the
beaches are clear. The nearshore approaches to
about half of the beaches are clear; the remaining
beaches are partly obstructed. The nearshore bot-
tom material off the beaches consists of sand or
sand mixed with rocks, shells, coral, or mud.
Nearshore bottom slopes range from moderate to
fiat. Anchorages are in the vicinity of nearly all
of the beaches.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Spring tides range from 51/2 to 9 feet in this
subsector. The expected average occurrence of
surf 4 feet or greater on the beaches ranges from
4% to 20% of the time during November through
March, 9% to 47% April and May, 12% to 76%
June through August, and 9% to 56% September
and October.
In general, the beaches are backed by dunes on
wide, sandy, partly brush-covered plains which
extend inland to plateaus partly covered with
brush. The east half of major beach (17) lies on a
narrow isthmus. There are villages in the vicinity
of all of the beaches. Exit from the beaches is by
cross-country movement to coastal tracks. Un-
surf aced roads lead inland from t a few of the
beaches. A mining railroad leads inland behind
major beach area (17). A Class 4 airfield is in the
vicinity of major beach (23). There are unclassi-
fied seaplane stations near approximately half the
beaches. Minor ports are located at or near one-
third of the beaches.
The minor beaches are 500 and 1,100 yards in
length. These sandy beaches range from 50 to
110 yards at low water and at high water levels
from 15 to 25 yards. The nearshore bottom slopes
are gentle and mild. The offshore approaches are
clear, and the nearshore approaches are partly
obstructed by a reef or shoals. The nearshore bot-
tom material is sand and probably coral. An-
chorage is available off minor beach 16.
The minor beaches are backed by sandy, partly
brush-covered plains containing dunes and ex-
tending inland to plateaus partly covered with
brush. There are villages in the vicinity of the
beaches. Exit from the minor beaches is by cross-
country movement to a coastal track and sur-
faced roads. A Class 2 airfield and an unclassi-
fied seaplane station are at beach 15. Minor
ports are located at both of the beaches.
In general, the approaches to the landing places
are clear. The landing places are backed by steep
slopes or narrow sandy plains. Exits are by cross-
country movement to coastal tracks or unsur-
faced roads. Villages or buildings are in the vi-
cinity of a few of the landing places. An unclas-
sified airfield and an unclassified seaplane station
are located near the landing place at Obbia.
Tabular descriptions for the major beaches are
given in FIGURE 22-12 and for the minor beaches
in FIGURE 22-13. Locations of the major and
minor beaches and landing places are shown on
the location maps, FIGURES 22-73 through 22-75.
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NIS 55
NAVY ? JUNE 1962
FIGURE 22-12. MAJOR BEACH AREAS
(Map references:
BEACH NUMBER AND
LOCATION
LENGTH AND USABLE
LENGTH
WIDTHS: AT L.W.;
AT H.W.
BEACH GRADIENTS:
L.W. TO H.W.;
H.W. ZONE
APPROACH
(15) Centered 7 mi. 8 mi.; concave; termi-75 to 100 yd. at
NW. of Ras Binnah nated to N. by wadi L.W.; 15 to 20
1 on 30 to 1 on 45,
L.W. to H.W.;
Nearshore bottom slopes gentle to
flat shoreward of discontinuous
on E. coast of Somali
mouth and to S. where yd. at LI.W.
1 on 10 or
18-ft. depth contour 315 to 1,260
Republic, between backed by lagoon; in-
steeper in 11.W.
yd. off H.W. line; offshore approach
11?16'N., 51?04'E. terrupted by wadies; all
and sable.
11?10'N., 51?06'E.
(FIGS. 22-49 and
22-50)
zone.
clear; nearshore approach clear but
flanked by submerged sandbars;
bottom sand; anchorage la 39-ft.
depth 1 n. mi. NE. of N. end,
bottom sand.
(Reliability: FAIR)
(16) Centered 153. mi. 7 i.; straight; terminated 70 to 300 yd. at
1 on 25 to 1 on
Nearshore bottom slopes mild to fiat
S. of Ras Binnah, y wadi mouths; inter-L.W.; 20 to 30
between upted by several yd. at 11.W.
145, L.W. to
H.W.; 1 on 10
shoreward of 18-ft. depth contour
630 to 1,575 yd. off 11.W. line;
10?59'N., 51?06'E. wadies; all usable.
and
or steeper in
H.W. zone.
approaches clear; bottom sand.
10?53'N., 51?06'E.
(FIGS. 22-49 and
22-50).
(Reliability: FAIR)
(17) Centered 23 mi.
W. of Ras Hafun,
between
10?25'N., 51?15'E.
and
10?18'N., 50?53'E.
(FIG. 22-52)
(Reliability: FAIR)
(18) Centered 63% mi.
NE. of Ras Mailable,
between
2?48'N., 46?23'E.
and
2?46'N., 46?21'E.
(FIG. 22-57)
(Reliability: FAIR)
27 mi.; concave; termi-
slated to E. by groin
and to W. where backed
by rocky shore; inter-
6ipted by wadi mouth;
1,11 usable.
33 mi. slightly concave;
/
erminated to NE. by
ocks and to SW. by reef;
11 usable.
50 to 100 yd. at 1 on 20 to 1 on 40,
L.W.; 20 to 30 L.W. to II.W.;
yd. at H.W. 1 on 10 or
steeper in H.W.
zone.
80 to 120 yd. at 1 on 30 to ion 45,
L.W.; 20 to 25 L.W. to H.W.;
yd. at 11W. 1 on 10 or
steeper in 11.W.
zone.
Nearshore bottom slopes mild to flat
shoreward of 6-ft. depth contour
200 to 600 yd. off H.W. line of E.
part, and moderate to flat shore-
ward of discontinuous 36-ft. depth
contour 350 yd. to 23 n. mi. off
11.W. line; offshore approach re-
stricted to bay and clear; nearshore
approach partly obstructed by
aerial conveyor towers off E. part
and flanked to E. by shoal area;
bottom sand, rocks, mud, and
shells; anchorage in 31- to 40-ft.
depths about 13/ n. mi. off H.W.
line of E. end, bottom sand, mud,
and shells.
Nearshore bottom slopes moderate to
gentle shoreward of discontinuous
6-ft. depth contour 80 to 200 yd.
off H.W. line; 18-ft. depth contour
800 yd. to 13% n. mi. off H.W. line;
36-ft. depth contour 13% to n.
mi. off H.W. line; offshore approach
clear; nearshore approach partly
obstructed by shoal with least
depth of 18 ft., 18% n. mi. off center
part and by reef 1,700 yd. off SW.
part and flanked by rocks and reef;
bottom sand and mud; anchorage
in 22- to 27-ft. depths 1,500 yd.
off SW. part, bottom sand and
coral.
NOTE Beach lengths and distances along the coast and Inland are expressed in statute miles; distances across water are expressed
in nautical miles eXcept when referring to beach locations. Italicized words refer to terms defined in Subsection A, 4, d.
PAGE 22-68
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY?JUNE 1962
OF COASTAL SUBSECTOR 3?C
FIGURES 22-73 through 22-75)
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
CONFIDENTIAL
SURF AND TIDAL RANGE
MATERIAL AND
FIRMNESS
TERRAIN IMMEDIATELY BEHIND BEACH
EXITS AND COMMUNICATIONS INLAND
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex- Sand; firm in wet-
pected to occur 20% of the ted area, soft
time Nov.?Mar., 9% Apr.? where dry.
May, 12% June?Aug., and 9%
Sept.?Oct.; tidal range 53 ft.,
springs.
Backed by sandy, partly brush-covered
plain drained by wadies and extend-
ing as far as 9 mi. inland to escarp-
ment rising to partly brush-covered
plateau dissected by valleys; Bargal
1,320 yd. N. of N. end; village dose
behind S. part.
Exit cross-country as far as 33-i mi.
to coastal track; another track
leads inland from near N. end.
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-Sand; firm in wet-
Backed by sandy, partly brush-covered
Exit cross-country as far as 13' mi.
pected to occur 19% of the ted area,
time Nov.?Mar., 9% Apr.?where dry.
May, 12% June?Aug., and 9%
Sept.?Oct.; tidal range 5% ft.,
springs.
soft
plain drained by several wadies and
eNtending as far as 2% mi. inland to
escarpment rising to partly brush-
covered plateau dissected by valleys.
to coastal track.
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-Sand; firm in wet-
E. half on sandy, partly brush-covered
Exit cross-country 165 to 990 yd.
pected to occur 4% of the time ted area,
Nov.?Mar., 21% Apr.?May, where dry.
38% June?Aug., and 38%
soft
isthmus 1 to 2 mi. wide; W. half of
beach backed by sandy, partly
brush-covered plain drained by
to coastal track; other tracks
lead inland behind W. part;
mining RR. at Dante; unclassi-
Sept.?Oct.; tidal range 5% ft.,
springs.
wadies and extending as far as 14 mi.
inland to escarpment rising to partly
brush-covered plateau dissected by
valleys; Dante close behind E. part;
village close behind W. part.
fied seaplane station in bay off
Dante; minor port at Dante.
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
Sand; firm in wet-
Backed by extensive sandy plain partly
Exit cross-country as far as 650 yd.
pected to occur 10% of the time
ted area, soft
covered with brush, containing dunes
to coastal track; unsurfaced roads
Nov.?Mar., 28% Apr.?May,
49% June?Aug., and 38%
Sept.?Oct.; tidal range 6 ft.,
springs.
where dry.
and isolated hills, and extending up
to 100 mi. inland to brush-covered
plateau; Itala 900 yd. SW. of SW.
end.
lead NE. and inland from Itala.
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PAGE 22-69
Approved For Release 1999/09/24 : CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5 NAVY ? JUNE 1962
FIGURE 22-12. MAJOR BEACH AREAS,
BEACH NUMBER AND
LOCATION
LENGTH AND USABLE
LENGTH
WIDTHS: AT L.W.
AT 11.W.
BEACH GRADIENTS:
L.W. TO H.W.;
H.W. ZONE
APPROACH
(19) Centered 33 mi.
NE. of Has Mailable,
at
2?45'N., 46"20'E.
(FIG. 22-57)
(Reliability: FAIR)
(20) Centered 28% mi.
SW. of Ras Mailable,
between
2?42'N., 46?18'E.
and
2?40'N., 46?15'E.
(FIG. 22-57)
(Reliability: FAIR)
(21) Centered 28% mi.
SW. of Has Dai, be-
tween
1?10'N., 44?08'E.
and
1?08'N., 44?05'E.
(FIG. 22-61)
(Reliability: FAIR)
(22) Centered 11% mi.
SW. of Has Dai, be-
tween
1?05'N., 44?02'E.
and
1?04'N., 44?00'E.
(FIG. 22-62B)
(Reliability: FAIR)
(23) Chisimaio, at
0?22'S., 42?33'E.
(FIG. 22-62C)
(Reliability : FAIR)
13'2 mi.; slightly concave;
terminated to NE. by
sandy point fronted by
reef and to SW. by
Ifringing reef; all usable.
3 mi.; straight; termi-
ated to NE. by fring-
ng reef and to SW.
here fronted by rocks;
11 usable.
4 mi.; straight; terminated
to NE. by rocky point
nd to SW. where beach
narrows; all usable.
2 *.; straight; terminated
o NE. by reef-fringed
oint and to SW. where
f onted by rocks; all
sable.
1141 mi.; concave; termi-
nated to E. by pier and
t?. by fringing reef;
i4iterrupted near E. end
by pier; all usable.
100 to 150 yd. at 1 on 40 to 1 on 60,
L.W.; 15 to 25 L.W. to H.W.;
yd. at H.W. 1 on 10 or
steeper in H.W.
zone.
75 to 100 yd. at 1 on 25 to 1 on 35,
L.W.; 20 to 30 L.W. to H.W.;
yd. at H.W. 1 on 10 or
steeper in H.W.
zone.
30 to 200 yd. at 1 on 10 to 1 on 70,
L.W.; 10 to 30 L.W. to H.W.;
yd. at H.W. 1 on 10 or
steeper in H.W.
zone.
60 to 100 yd. at 1 on 20 to 1 on 30,
L.W.; 15 to 30 L.W. to H.W.;
yd. at H.W. 1 on 10 or
steeper in H.W.
zone.
35 to 110 yd. at 1 on 10 to 1 on 30,
L.W.; 10 to 20 L.W. to H.W.;
yd. at H.W. 1 on 10 or
steeper in H.W.
zone.
Nearshore bottom slopes moderate to
flat shoreward of 6-ft. depth con-
tour 65 to 550 yd. off H.W. line;
18-ft. depth contour 875 to 1,450
yd. off H.W. line; offshore approach
clear; nearshore approach partly
obstructed by reef about 1 n. mi.
off NE. part and flanked by rocks
and reefs; bottom sand, rooks, and
coral; anchorage in 22-ft. depth
1,500 yd. off center part and an-
other anchorage in 30-ft. depth
about 13' n. mi. SE. of SW. end;
bottoms sand.
Nearshore bottom slopes flat shore-
ward of 36-ft. depth contour 1,950
yd. to lh n. mi. off H.W. line;
offshore approach clear; nearshore
approach clear but flanked to NE.
by fringing reef and to SW. by
rocks; bottom sand and coral;
anchorage in 30-ft. depths 3 n. mi.
NE. of NE. end, bottom sand.
Nearshore bottom slopes flat shore-
ward of 36-ft. depth contour 13
n. mi. off H.W. line; offshore ap-
proach clear; nearshore approach
partly obstructed by exposed rocks
1,000 to 1,700 yd. off H.W. line
of NE. and SW. parts, respectively,
and flanked to NE. by rocky
point; bottom sand and prob.
rocks; anchorage in bay about 13
n. mi. to NE., depth and bottom
unknown.
Nearshore bottom slopes mild shore-
ward of 18-ft. depth contour 500
to 700 yd. off L.W. line of NE.
part and unknown off remainder;
offshore approach clear; nearshore
approach clear but flanked to SW.
by rocks and to NE. by reef-fringed
point and reef-fringed islet; bottom
sand; anchorage in 60 ft. depth 1 n.
mi. NE. of NE. end, bottom sand
and shells.
Nearshore bottom slopes moderate to
flat shoreward of 6-ft. depth con-
tour 35 to 400 yd. off L.W. line;
18-ft. depth contour 1,000 yd. to 1
n. mi. off L.W. line; offshore ap-
proach restricted to passages
through barrier reef and partly
obstructed by scattered shoals and
reef patches as far as 6 n. mi. off
L.W. line; nearshore approach re-
stricted to bay and partly ob-
structed by pier near E. end, and
by wrecks and submerged and ex-
posed rocks, flanked to E. by reef-
fringed island and rocks and to W.
by rocks; bottom sand and rocks;
anchorage in 20- to 30-ft. depths
in bay, bottom prob. sand.
NOTE Beach lengths and
in nautical miles ex
PAGE 22-70
istances along the coast and inland are expressed in statute miles; distances across water are expressed
ept when referring to beach locations. Italicized words refer to terms defined in Subsection A, 4, d.
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
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Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NAVY?JUNE 1962
SUBSECTOR 3?C (Continued)
MILITARY GEOGRAPHY
CONFIDENTIAL
SURF AND TIDAL RANGE
MATERIAL AND
FIRMNESS
TERRAIN IMMEDIATELY BEHIND BEACH
EXITS AND COMMUNICATIONS INLAND
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
pected to occur 15% of the time
Nov.?Mar., 28% Apr.?May,
49% June?Aug., and 38%
Sept.?Oct.; tidal range 6 ft.,
springs.
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
pected to occur 15% of the time
Nov.?Mar., 28% Apr.?May,
49% June?Aug., and 38%
Sept.?Oct.; tidal range 6 ft.,
springs.
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
pected to occur 17% of the time
Nov.?Mar., 47% Apr.?May,
76% June?Aug., and 56%
Sept.?Oct.; tidal range 7 ft.,
springs.
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
pected to occur 17% of the time
Nov.?Mar., 47% Apr.?May,
76% June?Aug., and 56%
Sept.?Oct.; tidal range 7 ft.,
springs.
Surf 4 ft. or greater can be ex-
pected to occur 7% of the time
Nov.?Mar., 45% Apr.?May,
76% June?Aug., and 55%
Sept.?Oct.; tidal range 7.5 ft.,
springs.
Sand; firm in wet- Backed by extensive sandy plain partly
ted area, soft covered with brush, containing dunes
where dry. and isolated hills, and extending up
to 100 mi. inland to partly brush-
covered plateau; Itala close behind
NE. part.
Sand; firm in wet- Backed by extensive sandy plain, partly
ted area, soft covered with brush, containing dunes.
where dry. and isolated hills, and extending up
to 100 mi. inland to partly brush-
covered plateau; village 800 yd.
behind SW. end; Itala 04 mi. NE. of
NE. end.
Sand; firm in wet- Backed by extensive sandy plain partly
ted area, soft covered with brush, containing dunes
where dry. and areas of swamp, and extending
up to 100 mi. inland to partly brush-
covered plateau; Brava 4 mi. SW. of
SW. end.
Sand; firm in wet- Backed by extensive sandy plain partly
ted area, soft covered with brush, containing dunes
where dry. and areas of swamp, and extending
up to 100 mi. inland to partly brush-
covered plateau; brush- and tree-
covered hills 2% mi. inland; Brava
04 mi. NE. of NE. end.
Sand; firm in wet-
ted area, soft
where dry; rock
patch in E. part.
Backed by extensive sandy plain partly
covered with grass, brush, and trees
and containing dunes and areas of
swamp; Chisimaio close behind
beach.
Exit cross-country 660 yd. to
coastal track; unsurfaced roads
lead NE. and inland from Itala.
Exit cross-country as far as 1,700
yd. to coastal track; movement
farther inland cross-country 1,300
yd. to 13 mi. to another coastal
track.
Exit cross-country 1,000 yd. to
coastal track; movement farther
inland cross-country 5 mi. to
unsurfaced road; other tracks
lead inland from unsurfaced road;
unclassified seaplane station at
Brava; minor port at Brava.
Exit cross-country 1,000 yd. to
coastal track; unsurfaced road
leads inland from Brava; unclassi-
fied seaplane station at Brava;
minor port at Brava.
Exit cross-country to streets; un-
surfaced road leads NE. and
track to SW. from Chisimaio;
Class 4 airfield 7 mi. to N.; un-
classified seaplane station at
Chisimaio; minor port at Chisi-
maio.
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PAGE 22-71
Appr
CONFIDENTIAL
ved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NIS 55 NAVY-JUNE 1962
FIGURE 22-13 MINOR BEACH AREAS OF COASTAL SUBSECTOR 3?C
(Map references:, FIGURES 22-73 through 22-75)
NUMBER AND LOCATION
REMARKS
15. Centered 4 mi. SW. cr4 Moga-
discio on E. coast of Somali
Republic, at
2?00'N., 45?18'E. I
(nos. 22-59A and 22-59B)
(Reliability: GOOD)
16. Merca, at
1?42'N., 44?46'E.
(Fio. 22-60)
(Reliability: FAIR)
500 yd.; concave; sand; 50 to 75 yd. wide at L.W. and 15 to 20 yd. at H.W.; nearshore bottom
slopes gentle; offshore approach clear; nearshore approach partly obstructed by drying reef
reported about 250 yd. off H.W. line and flanked by rocky points; bottom sand and prob.
coral; beach backed by extensive sandy plain partly covered with brush, containing dunes,
and extending inland up to 100 mi. to partly brush-covered plateau; scattered buildings be-
hind beach; Mogadiscio 4 mi. to NE.; exit cross-country as far as 1 mi. to coastal track;
other tracks lead to Mogadiscio; surfaced roads lead inland from Mogadiscio; Class 2 airfield
close behind beach; unclassified seaplane station off beach; minor port at Mogadiscio.
1,100 yd.; concave; sand; 85 to 110 yd. wide at L.W. and 15 to 25 yd. at H.W.; nearshore bottom
slopes mild; offshore approach clear; nearshore approach restricted to narrow passages in
reef about 700 yd. off B.W. line and partly obstructed by scattered shoals with least depth
of 2 ft. and flanked to NE.93y reef, shoals, and pier and to SW. by rocks and reefs; bottom
sand and prob. coral; anchorage in 66- to 90-ft. depths about 1,000 yd. off beach, bottom
sand and coral; beach backed by extensive sandy plain partly covered with brush, containing
dunes and areas of swamp, and extending up to 100 mi. inland to partly brush-covered pla-
teau; Merca close behind NE. part; exit cross-country as far as 300 yd. to surfaced road;
movement farther inland by network of roads; minor port at Merca.
PAGE 22-72
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MORI BUNDLE #
# of Missing Pages /3
ficce/Tas ae? (2?7- /3
PAGE
MISSING
DATE
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NAVY ? JUNE 1962 N I S 5 5 CONFIDENTIAL
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SECTOR 1, SEGMENT [1]. NORTHERN COAST OF ETHIOPIA. Oblique view looking northeast showing isolated hills on the
coastal plain. Approximate position 16?59'N., 39?03'E.
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CONFIDENTIAL NO FOREIGN DISSEM FIGURE 22-14
CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5 NAVY ? JUNE 1962
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SECTOR 1, SEGMENT W. NORTHERN COAST OF ETHIOPIA NEAR MERSA MUBAREC. Oblique view looking east showing areas of
mangrove swamp (black areas on the photo) and marsh (dark gray) bordering the shore. Linear sand ridges rise
above the plain behind the shore. Approximate position 16?31'N., 39?08'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
FIGURE 22?lo NO FOREIGN DISSEM CONFIDENTIAL
NAVY -- JUNE 1962 N I S 5 5 CONFIDENTIAL
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SECTOR 1, SEGMENT Hi . COAST OF ETHIOPIA ABOUT 17 MILES SOUTH OF MERSA MUBAREC. Oblique view looking northeast
showing broad entrenched stream dissecting plain, flanked by sand ridges and dunes. Marshy areas lie near the
shores. Approximate position 16'17'N., 39012'E.
coNFARRTved For Release 1999//9946iipyyRpEs81,1100671R000200100001 -PIGURE 22-16
CONFIDENTIAL N 1 S 5 5 NAVY - JUNE 1962
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SECTOR 1, SEGMENT [11. ETHIOPIAN COAST INLAND FROM RAS ARS. Oblique view looking west showing part of the coastal
plain, and the mountainous plateau backing it. Note areas of cultivation on the plain. Approximate position 15?45'N.,
39?10'E.
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FIGURE 22-17 NO FOREIGN DISSEM COD FEDENTIAL
NAAtiptilikificiVew Release 1999/09/24 : ciAT-RDI15-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL
A. SECTOR 1, SEGMENT [ 1] . COAST OF ETHIOPIA AT MAJOR BEACH AREA (1) . Oblique view northeast. Approximate position
15?45'N., 39?27'E.
B. SECTOR 1, SEGMENT [1]. ETHIOPIAN COAST AT
MAJOR BEACH AREA (2) . Ground view looking
west showing scattered clumps of grass and
brush which is the characteristic cover of
most of this Segment, Approximate position
15?41'N., 39?28'E. April 1957.
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CONFIDENTIAL
N I S 5 5 NAVY - JUNE 1962
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ISOLA
DAHLAC CHEBIR
SE OR 1, SEGME1S T [2]. ISOLA DAHLAC CHEBIR OFF COAST OF ETHIOPIA. Oblique view looking north. Approximate posi-
tion 15?4214., 3959'E.
I(r:JRE 2 2-1MP roved For Release 1A99g3.19g4 ? p-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
ISSEM CONFIDENTIAL
NAVY ? JUNE 1962 NIS 55 CONFIDENTIAL
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ISOLA DAHLAC C EBIR
SECTOR 1, SEGMENT [2] . SOUTHWESTERN PART OF THE ISOLE DAHLAC OFF COAST OF ETHIOPIA. Oblique view looking south
showing reef-fringed islands with southeastern end of Isola Norah in lower foreground and Isola Dahlac Chebir in
center background. Approximate position 15?47'N., 40?05'E.
coNAmpved For Release 1999/07.2/2F4thz9MA?Fs'pkgp0671R000200100001-0,
TGURE 22-20
5 5 NAVY ? JU:qE 1962
C ON FIDENTIAL.A pp
roved For Release 1999/5u/24 : CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SECTOR 1, SEGMENT [2]. ISOLA SCIUMMA OFF ETHIOPIAN COAST. Oblique view looking southwest. Approximate position
1.532'N., 40001'E.
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;uRE 22-21 NO FOREIGN DISSEI1,1 CONFIDENTIAL
SECTOR 1, SEGMENT [3]. COAST AT MASSAUA, ETHIOPIA. Oblique view looking south showing principal port and adjacent
coast. Approximate position 15'38'N., 39'28'E.
C NFIDENTIAL Nu
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SECTOR 1, SEGMENT F31. ETHIOPIAN COAST SOUTH OF MASSAUA AT MINOR BEACH AREA /. Oblique view looking south showing
plain south of Massaua and mountains closely backing plain. Approximate position 15?33'N., 39?28E.
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FiGuRE 22-23 NO FOREIGN DISSEM CONFIDENTIAL
NAVY ? JUNE 1962 N I S 5 5 CONFIDENTIAL
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SECTOR 1, SEGMENT [3]. CENTRAL COAST OF ETHIOPIA NEAR BATA D'ANFILE. Oblique view looking north showing coastal
plain and mountain range farther inland. Approximate position 14?38'N., 41"011'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL NO FOREIGN DISSEM FIGURE 22-24
CONFIDENTIAL
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SECTOR 1, SEGMENT {4]. ETHIOPIAN COAST NEAR RAS SCIAKS. View looking northeast showing volcanic hills and moun-
tains backing plain. Valleys and streambeds affo]7d access routes for cross-country movement to interior. Approxi-
mate position 14?32N., 41?10'E.
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" 1G JR E 22-25 NO FOREIGN DISSEM CONE IDENTIAL
NAVY-JUNE 1962
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SECTOR 1, SEGMENT 141. COAST OF ETHIOP:
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CONFIDENTIAL
NI S 55 Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL
TA AT MAJOR BEACH AREA (4) Uncontrolled vertical mosaic. Approximate po-
sition 13?56'N., 41?41'E. June 1955.
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J.?EA .' 14
IGURE 22-26
NAVY?JUNE 1962
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NIS 55
SECTOR 1, SEGMENT 14]. COAST OF ETHIOPIA AT MINOR BEACH AREAS
position 13?46'N., 4
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NO FOREIGN Dl
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
APPROXIMATE SCALE
0 1000
3 AND 4. Uncontrolled vertical mosaic. Approximate
2?01'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
rSSEM SECTOR 1, SEGMENT [4] , MINOR BEACH AREAS 3 AND 4 FIGURE 22-27
NAVY - JUNE 1962 N I S 5 5 CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
A. SECTOR 1, SEGMENT [4]. COAST NORTH OF As-
SAB, ETHIOPIA. View looking southwest showing
two landing places (LP). Approximate position
13?02'N., 42?45'E. March 1960.
B. SECTOR 1, SEGMENT [4] . ETHIOPIAN COAST AT ASSAB. View looking west showing two landing places (LP) at southern
end of Assab. Approximate position 12?59'N., 42?45'E. April 1953.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-QQ671R000200100001-0 FIGURE 22-28
CONFIDENTIAL
NO FOREIGN DIS,NLin
CONFIDENTIAL NI ,S 5_5
Approved For Release 1999/09/24 : ciA-RDP85-00671R000200iblote 1962itiE
SECTOR 2, SEGMENT 1-11. COAST NEAR ETHIOPIA - FRENCH SOMALILAND BORDER. Oblique view looking southwest showing
sandy coastal plain, interrupted and backed by hills and mountains. Approximate position 12?42'N., 43?09'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
FIGURE 22-29 NO FOREIGN DISSEM CONFIDENTIAL
NAVY ? JUNE 1962 N/S 5 5 CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SECTOR 2, SEGMENT [1] . NORTHERN COAST OF FRENCH SOMALILAND AT RAS SIYAN. Oblique view looking northeast show-
ing the narrowest part of Bab el Mandeb, the strait separating French Somaliland, in the foreground, from the Ara-
bian Peninsula, in the background. Approximate position 12?27'N., 43?20'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL NO FOREIGN DISSEM FIGURE 22-30
SECTOR 2, SEGMENT [2] . TADJOURA, FRENCH SOMALILAND. Oblique view looking west-northwest showing minor port, land-
ing place (LP), narrow brush- and scrub-covered coastal plain, and hilly-to-mountainous hinterland. Approximate po-
sition 11?47'N., 42?54'E. September 1954.
NAVY ? JUNE 1962 N I S 5 5 CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SECTOR 2, SEGMENT [2]. FRENCH SOMALILAND COAST NEAR HEAD OF GOLFE DE TADJOURA. MINOR BEACH AREA /. Oblique view
looking south showing entrance to Ghubbet Kharab, dissected hills and mountains close behind the shores, and in-
terior plateau in background. Approximate position 11?34'N., 42?43'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL NO FOREIGN DISSEM FIGURE 22-32
CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5 NAVY ? JUNE 1962
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
BEACH AREA 8.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
FIGURE 22-33 NO FOREIGN DISSEM CONFIDENTIAL
NAVY ? JUNE 1962 N I S 5 5 CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SUBSECTOR 3?A, SEGMENT [1] . COAST NEAR FRENCH SOMALILAND ? SOMALI REPUBLIC BORDER. Oblique view looking south-
ward showing broad coastal plain. Approximate position 11?23'N., 43?25'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL NO FOREIGN DISSEM FIGURE 22-34
CONFIDENTIAL NIS 55 NAVY - JUNE 1962
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SUSSECTOR 3-A, SEGMENT [1] . NORTHERN COAST OF SOMALIA AT ZEILA. Oblique view looking northward across coastal area.
Note the many intermittent streams and their sand blocked entrances and the inlets and small lagoons along the
shore. Appi oximate position 11?20'N., 43?28'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
(TITRE 22-35 NO FOREIGN D1SSEM CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SUBSECTOR 3?A, SEGMENT [1] . VICINITY OF BER
Uncontrolled vertical mosaic showing segme
proximate
3ERA, SOMALI REPUBLIC. MAJOR BEACH AREA (5) AND MINOR BEACH AREA 9.
t of southwest part of major beach (5) anr1 nil of minrr beach 9, Ap-
)osition 10'27'N., 45?01'E. June 1956.
1
4.
13
3
CD
a
m
o
-,
(T?
(7
PA
CD
COtt"
c. ob.-
r: 3
4 = .
. .
0
F .
i 3
0
0- 9
01
6 b
0)
?-?1
?%
0672)
018
8
00"
_ ,
c b
SUBSECTOR 3-A, SEGMENT M. COAST OF SOMALIA /N
tical mosaic showing segment of center and north
VICINITY OF RAS WALHITN. MAJOR BEACH AREA (6) . Uncontrolled ver-
mst parts of bea,cla. Approximate positien 415?30'E. June
1956.
NAVY JUNE 1962
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SUBSECTOR 3-A, SEGMENT [1] . SOMALIA COAST SO1
mosaic. Approxiim
coNFIAppEgved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
S 55
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL
' AU-ST OF RAS SUDDA. MAJOR BEACH AREA (7) . Uncontrolled vertical
t. position 10?44'N., 45?35'E. June 1956.
OREIGN DISSEM
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SUBSECTOR 3?A, SEGMENT [1] , MAJOR BEACH AREA (7) FIGURE 22-38
SUBSECTOR 3-A, SEGMENT [1] . SOMALIA COAST EAST OF BERBERA. Oblique view looking southward across plain. Low
bluffs lie behind parts of the shore. Approximate position 10?27'N., 45?05'E. 1950.
CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5 NAVY ? JUNE 1962
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
A. SUBSECTOR 3?A, SEGMENT 12]. COAST OF SOMALIA AT VILLAGE OF HEIS. Oblique view looking southeastward showing
landing place (LP). Note the bluffs and cliffs behind the shore and the ruggedness of the hilly ridges. Approximate
position 10?53'N., 46?54E.
B. SUBSECTOR 3?A, SEGMENT [31. BEN-
DER CASSIM, SOMALI REPUBLIC. MINOR
BEACH AREA 12. Oblique view west. Ap-
proximate position 11?18'N., 49?11'E.
February 1960.
FIGURE 22-40 NO
For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NO FOREIGN DISSEM CONFIDENTIAL
NAVY ? JUNE 1962 N I S 5 5 CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SUBSECTOR 3-A, SEGMENT [3] . SOMALIA COAST AT RAS BUR GABAN. Oblique view looking southeastward showing landing
place (LP) and the rugged hilly and mountainous terrain between Ras al Hamar and the Uadi Tog Uene. Approxi-
mate position 11?22'N., 49?29'E.
coMrNoryed For Release 1999/09RI i,49/mppAmpi R000200100001-0
FIGURE 22-41
CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5 NAVY - JUNE 1962
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SU SECTOR 3-A, SEGMENT [3]. COAST OF SOMALIA NEAR RAS FILUCH. Oblique view looking northeastward from a position
on the coast near Bender Merhagno. Note lagoon fringing plain, in the background, and the rugged hill and moun-
tain terrain surrounding the plain, in the foreground. Approximate position 11?44'N., 50?30'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
FIGURE 22-42 NO FOREIGN DISSEM CONFIDENTIAL
NAVY ? JUNE 1962 N IS 5 5 CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL NO FOREIGN DISSEM FIGURE 22-43
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/i56&5:b1A-RDP85-00671R00026bioadtir01962
-
SALT WATER,--v
LAGOON -
=
0 c
S
r
SUBSECTOR 3-B. NORTH COAST OF SOCOTRA IN VICINITY OF RA'S KADARMA. MAJOR BEACH AREA (12). Oblique view
ooking northward showing southeast part of beach. Approximate position 12?37'N., 53?51'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
Ft RHIE 22-44 NO FOREIGN DISSEM CONFIDENTIAL
NAVY ? JUNE 1962
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SuBsEcroR 3-B. NOR1
ing rugged headlar
Approveq(forDtVgese 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NIS 55
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL
11WEST COAST OF SOCOTRA. View looking southeastward show-
d at ita's Bashuri Approximate position 12?43'N., 53?32'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SUBSECTOR 3-B FIGURE 22-45
Ivo FOREIGN DISSEM
NAVY ? JUNE 1962 N I S 5 5 CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SUBSECTOR 3-B. SOUTH COAST OF SOCOTRA. Oblique view looking southward showing southern coastal plain backed by
deeply dissected mountain plateau. Approximate position 12?20'N., 54?00'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL NO FOREIGN DISSEM FIGURE 22-46
SUBSECTOR 3-B. SOCOTRA. Oblique view looking southward showing interior basin. Approximate position 12?20'N,, 53?33T,
NAVY ? JUNE 1962 N 1 S 5 5 CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CAPO GUARDARA
SUBSECTOR 3?C, SEGMENT M. EASTERN COAST OF SOMALIA SOUTH OF RAS SHENAGHEF. View northward toward Ras Shena-
ghef from detached hill 20 miles south of point. Note the steep escarpments and the rugged inland terrain. Approx-
imate position 11?31'N., 51?08'E.
COM:$15:iy1F1 For Release 1999/09/2M ?Fejfk-/Ippryorl-s(10#71R000200100001-0 FIGURE 22-48
CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5 YY ?Jinsr4_ 1962
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200A100001-0
SUBSECTOR 3-C. SEGMENT [1]. SOMALIA COAST IN VICINITY OF RAS BINNAH. MAJOR BEACH AREAS (15)
AND (16). Oblique view looking south. See also FIGURE 22-50. Approximate position 11?13'N.,
51?05'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
,')(; LIRE 22-49 ATO FOREIGN DISSEM CONFIDENTIAL
NAVY?JUNE 1962 NIS_5_5 CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
BARGAL
SUBSECTOR 3-C, SEGMENT [11. SOMALIA COAST SOUTH OF RAS BINNAH. MAJOR BEACH AREAS (15) AND
(16). Oblique view looking north showing all of beach (15) and north half of beach (16). See
also FIGURE 22-49. Approximate position 10?50'N., 51?06'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL NO FOREIGN DISSEM FIGURE 22-50
NAVY ? JUNE 1962
CONFIDENTIAL Approved For Release 1999Y0193/2 CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
BAIA DI HAFUN MERIDIONALE
SUBSECTOR 3-C, SEGMENT [1] . COAST OF SOMALIA AT BAIA DI HAFUN SETTENTRIONALE. Oblique view looking southward
across the bay. Note the ruggedness of the inland terrain, the dunes, and the sparse vegetation. Approximate posi-
tion 10?45'N., 51?08'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
4URE 22-51 NO FOREIGN DISSEM CONFIDENTIAL
g g?g g auflDIff
SussEmil 3?C, SEGMENT [1]. DANTE, SOMALI REPUBLIC. MAJOR BEACH AREA (17) . Oblique view northeastward show-
ing segment of east part of beach. Approximate position 10?25'N., 51?15'E. March 1953.
BAIA DI HAFIJN MERIDIONALE
SUBSECTOR 3-C, SEGMENT [1]. SOMALIA COAST NEAR DANTE. Oblique View looking northeastward across harbor at some Of
the minor port facilities of Dante. Note the rugged terrain at the eastern end of the peninsula. Approximate posi-
tion 10?24'N., 51?14'E. 1953.
NAVY ? JUNE 1962 N I S 5 5 CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SUBSECTOR 3-C, SEGMENT [2]. COAST OF SOMALIA IN THE VICINITY OF BAIA DI HAFUN MERIDIONALE. Oblique view looking
northward along the coast toward the bay. Rugged terrain near the sea and the deep gorges cut by the intermittent
streams are typical of this part of the coast. Approximate position 10?12'N., 50?55'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL NO FOREIGN DISSEM FIGURE 22-54
CON FIDENTIAL Approved For Release 1999igf245:5CIA-RDP85-00671R0002MbOdnv.962
INDIAN OCEAN
SUBSECTOR 3-C, SEGMENT 121. SOMALIA COAST IN THE VICINITY OF RAS MABBER. Escarpments rise from the steep slopes
bordering the coast; streams are deeply entrenched. Approximate position 9?35'N., 50?50'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
FILURE 22-55 NO FOREIGN DISSEM CONFIDENTIAL
NAVy - JUNE 1062 CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: GIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SUBSECTOR 3-C, SEGMENT [2] . SOMALIA COAST IN THE VICINITY OF RAS EL CHEIL. Oblique view looking across Ras el Cheil
and along the coast southwestward. The bluffs and cliffs are typical of those bordering the coast southwestward to
El Meghet. Note the almost complete absence of streams on the seaward side of the coastal plain. Approximate posi-
tion 7?48'N., 49?50'E.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL NO FOREIGN DISSEM FIGURE 22-56
APPROXIMATE SCALE
1000 0 1000 200C YARDS
SUBSECTOR 3-C, SEGMENT [3]. COAST OF SOMALIA AT ITALA. MAJOR BEACH AREAS (18), (19). AND (20) . Uncontrolled verti-
cal mosaic. Approximate position 2?45'N., 46?19'E. February 1960
8g?gg aarlDIJ
r
SUBSECTOR 3-C, SEGMENT [3]. MOGADISCIO, SOMALI REPUBLIC. Oblique view looking westward showing town, piers,
seawall, and breakwater, with flat-to-undulating plain in background. Approximate position 2?04'N., 45?22'E. No-
vember 1952.
CONFIDENTIAL N I S 5 5 NAVY ? JUNE 1962
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
A SUBSECTOR 3-C, SEGMENT [3]. SOMALIA COAST SOUTHWEST OF MOGADISCIO AT MINOR BEACH AREA 15. Ob-
lique view locking northeast showing escarpment backing the shores adjacent to minor beach area
15. Class 2 air facility and extensive brush-covered plain in background. Approximate position
2?01'N., 45?18'E.
B. SUBSECTOR 3-C, SEGMENT [3]. SOMALIA COAST AT MINOR BEACH AREA 15. Ob-
lique view looking northeastward. Approximate position 2?00'N., 45?18'E.
May 1959.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
Fm,uRE 22-59 NO FOREIGN DISSEM CONFIDENTIAL
NAVY?JUNE 1962
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
SUBSECTOR 3-C, SEGMENT [31. COAST o
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
uONFIDENTIAL
AT I S 5 5 CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
F SOMALIA AT MERCA. MINOR BEACH AREA 16. Uncontrolled vertical mosaic. Approxi-
mate position 1'42N., 44'46'E. June 1956.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
LVO FOREIGN DISSEM SUBSECTOR 3?C, SEGMENT [3] , MINOR BEACH AREA 16 FIGURE 22-60
SUBSECTOR 3-C, SEGMENT [3]. SOMALIA COAST AT MAJO)
cal mosaic. Approximate
BEACH AREA (21) AND ONE LANDING PLACE 'IT) Uncontrolled I'Prt1-
2osition 1?10'N., 44=07'E. October 1957.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: C
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
A. SUBSECTOR 3-C, SEGMENT [3]. BRAVA, SOMALI REPUBLIC. MAJOR BEACH AREA (21) AND TWO
LANDING PLACES (LP). Oblique view looking north-northeast. Shores are backed by undu-
lating brush-covered plain. Approximate position 1?08'N., 44?03'E. March 1960.
B. SUBSECTOR 3-C, SEGMENT [3]. SOMALIA90AST I
ONE LANDING PLACE (LP) . Approximate
VICIrY OF BRAVA. MAJOR BEACH AREA (22) AND
C. SUBSECTOR 3-C, SEGMENT [3]. CHISIMAIO, SOMALI REPUBLIC. MAJOR BEACH AREA (23) Oblique view looking easCl-
)osition 1`05'N., 44'02'E. January 1960. showing east half of major beach area (23) . Approximate position 0=22'N., 42?33'E. March 1953.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24 : CIA-RDP85-0067I-0
NAMES OF STATIONS
I. RAS AL MUKALLA _
2. MAQATIN AL KABIR*
3. SHUCRA' *
4. ADEN
5. AL MUKHA (MOCHA)
6. KAMARAN PASSAGE
7. JAZTRAT ANTOFASH *
8. ISOLA HARMIL
9. MASSAUA
10. BAIA D'ANFILE*
11. EDD'
12. ASSAB
13. PERIM ISLAND
14. DJIBOUTI
15. ZEILA
16. BERBERA
I 7. LAS KHOREH*
18. ALULA*
19. CAPO GUARDAFUI
20. OBBIA
21. ITALA*
22. UARSCIECH
23. MOGADISCIO
24. BRAVA
25. FIUME GIUBA
26. CHISIMAIO
27. BIRCAO
* RANGES AND LOCATIONS TAKEN FROM, "THE
ADMIRALTY TIDE TABLES, VOL. II FOR THE YEAR 1961,
ATLANTIC AND INDIAN OCEANS".
THE REMAINDER OF INFORMATION IS TAKEN FROM
U. S. COAST & GEODETIC SURVEY TIDE TABLES.
FEET
12
10
0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
DIURNAL -1-4- SPRING
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 1 22 23 24 25 26 27
DIURNAL
SPRING
LEGEND
THE NUMBERS UNDER THE BAR GRAPHS CORRESPOND
TO LOCATION NUMBERS ALONG THE COAST. THE
UNSHADED PART OF THE BAR GRAPH INDICATES
MEAN RANGE. THE TOTAL HEIGHT OF THE BAR GRAPH
INDICATES SPRING OR DIURNAL RANGE ACCORDING
TO LOCATION, AS SHOWN BELOW THE BAR GRAPHS,
40?
45 ?
A. TIDE RANGES
Approved For Release 1999/09/24 : CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
CONFIDENTIAL 40758 USHO
1111M11011MOIM=111MMI4?????? ??????,100111011111
-
A 8 1 A
0
17
50'
AfiesrbvRI For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
/
21
50"
15?
10?
MINC.L.411?1111101?., .????????141111?11111.111?11111?11.1?111?11????1110001111111.11111?1101
CONFIDENT*
40?
45?
50?
ARABIA
6
40?
45?
NUMERALS INDICATE TIME OF HIGH WATER
OF THE PRINCIPAL LUNAR SEMIDIURNAL
COMPONENT (M2) IN SOLAR HOURS AFTER
LUNAR TRANSIT OF THE GREENWICH
MERIDIAN.
50?
15?
10
-V
5
B. COTIDAL LINES
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
TIDES FIGURE 22-63
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
3.5
3.0
09 2.5
0
Z 2.0
c, 1.5
LU
CL 1.0
0.5
0
ro
0
0 2 4 6
1 1 1 18 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
10 12 14 116 118
20 22 0
2
3.0
2.5
F-
20 MARCH
4
6 8 lo 12 14 16
21 MARCH
ZERO DECLINATION 0300 GMT 21 MARCH 1924.
FULL MOON (SPRINGS) 1630 GMT 20 MARCH 1924.
TIME INTERVAL BETWEEN FULL MOON AND MAXIMUM
EFFECT ON TIDAL CURRENTS IS 0.5 HOUR.
18 20 22
4
6 8 10
22 MARCH
1.0 I-
0.
0.5 r
10
2
14 16
26 MARCH
18
20
22
2
4
6
10 12 14
27 MARCH
16
MAXIMUM DECLINATION 0900 GMT 27 MARCH 1924.
QUADRATURE (NEAPS) 0824 GMT 27 MARCH 1924.
TIME INTERVAL BETWEEN MAXIMUM DECLINATION AND
MAXIMUM EFFECT ON TIDAL CURRENTS IS 0.2 HOUR.
20
22
2
6 8
28 MARCH
10
2
14
DEPTH
5 METERS
? -0? ? 50 METERS
150 METERS
A. BAB EL MANDEB, RESULTANT CURRENTS
1
-IFTTFIE-RED?SE-A7 (-UR RENT SPEEDS ARE
GENERALLY LESS THAN 1 KNOT. ON RARE
OCCASIONS, SPEEDS MAY EXCEED 2 KNOTS.
I ..
SAuDI AR
IN THE RED SEA, CURRENT SPEEDS ARE
GENERALLY LESS THAN 1 KNOT. ON RARE
OCCASIONS, SPEEDS MAY EXCEED 2 KNOTS.
15?
IN THE GULF 50% OF SPEEDS ARE
MORE THAN 1 KNOT. A SMALL
PERCENTAGE ARE MORE THAN 2
KNOTS. MAXIMUM SPEEDS OCCUR
DURING JULY AND AUGUST, AND
MAY REACH 3 KNOTS.
9
CD
9
co
sci
. .
01
01
01
01
8
u_
-0
cp_
cp_
10" 10?
REGION NORTHEAST MONSOON TRANSITION
RED SEA NOVEMBER THROUGH MARCH APRIL, MAY
GULF OF ADEN OCTOBER THROUGH MARCH APRIL, MAY
INDIAN OCEAN DECEMBER THROUGH FEBRUARY MARCH
? LOCATIONS OF CURRENT OBSERVATIONS SHOWN
IN FIGURE 22-4
101* Se;r1:1T-4'itv'EST MONSOON?TRANSH
RED SEA
INDIANGULF O OF OCEAN
JUNE THROUGH SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
JUNE THROUGH AUGUST SEPTEMBER
APRIL THROUGH OCTOBER NOVEMBER
5?
5?
FROM 6?N. TO 2?S. CURRENT SPEEDS MAY
EQUAL OR EXCEED 3 KNOTS, AND OCCA-
SIONALLY REACH 4 KNOTS.
41.jr;;krri'' r
N r. _
CURRENT SPEEDS MORE THAN 2 KNOTS
OCCUR FREQUENTLY. OCCASIONALLY,
SPEEDS ARE MORE THAN 3 KNOTS.
I
I
1 .-.........-- I
1
50'
40?
B, GENERAL SITRFACE CITRRENTs, Nrqrr?F-Tr Aqq, yrryrsTqrwrIN
45?
500
In. qv...wrap. SURFACE CURRENTS; SOTITT-TMTEET MONSOON
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
BREAKER HEIGHT
BY DEEPWATER WAVE DIRECTION
3200?
WIND OBSERVATIONS
1/50NEARSHORE BOTTOM SLOPE
23 T? CALMS AND OFFSHORE DIRECTIONS
< 4 FEET
20
4-8 FEET
8 FEET
BREAKER TYPE
'9P a'"9
".4.S? d' s
k4',;! 46
0 '020 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 %.
< 4 FEET g 4 FEET
EXPLANATION OF SUMMARY SCALE
( ALL DIRECTIONS)
GENERALIZED BREAKER CONDITIONS
FOR COASTAL ALINEMENTS DURING
NORTHEAST MONSOON, SPRING TRANSI?
TION, SOUTHWEST MONSOON, AND AU?
TUMN TRANSITION. Breaker heights
and frequencies on many of the
beaches may vary from the data
shown on these charts. For the
expected occurrence of breakers
on each beach, see beach table.
1.41-1 V 1 U L111.111 IUUL
40? 45'
500 I 400
102109
15?:
10
5'
1
0 0 20 30 '40 50 60 70 80 90 100
175148
14298
1
89111118111 ill ti 011J P 11pri Tt91T4
10 20 . 40 50 60 70 80 90 00
24426
150
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0 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 1.00
0 10 20 . 90 50 60 TO ea so aa13868
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0 20 30 40 50 60 TO 80 90 100
0 10 20 10 . 50 60 TO 80 90 100
57564
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0 0 20 30 40 50 60 70 60 90 100
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0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 00
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0 10 20 40 50 60 TO 80 90 00
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0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 POO
9
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0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 00
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61611811141081.11811961.61?609,,E14816110681911,..,,,491499,
CONFIDENTIAL 40764 USHO
NOTE:
FOR ALINEMENTS 1 THROUGH 8, NORTHEAST MONSOON
IS CONSIDERED TO BE OCTOBER THROUGH APRIL.
FOR ALINEMENTS 9 THROUGH 12, NORTHEAST MONSOON
IS CONSIDERED TO BE NOVEMBER THROUGH MARCH.
12
,056.18881661i119161963i0D1/611211606=0681?811118111610116i
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150
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NOTE:
FOR ALINEMENTS 1 THROUGH 8, SPRING IS CONSIDERED
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IS CONSIDERED TO BE APRIL AND MAY.
0 30 40 50 70 90 I.
12
. [I_
1 5
46231.00,61011612161121136311363,0317072160691.11411731092162.426,
SPRING TRANSITION I
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
NOTE:
FOR ALL ALINEMENTS, SOUTHWEST MONSOON IS CON-
SIDERED TO BE JUNE THROUGH AUGUST.
1
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NOTE:
FOR ALINEMENTS 1 THROUGH 87 AUTUMN IS CONSIDERED
TO BE SEPTEMBER. FOR ALINEMENTS 9 THROUGH 12,
AUTUMN IS CONSIDERED TO BE SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.
12
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I AUTUMN TRANSITION
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NAVY-JUNE 1962
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP85-00671R000200100001-0
NOTE:
FIGURES INDICATE NUMBER OF OBSERVATIONS
PER 30' QUADRANGLE. PLUS SIGN MEANS AT
LEAST ONE NOTATION OF BOTTOM FEATURE,
RATHER THAN A SPECIFIC OBSERVATION AT A
POINT LOCATION. BLANK QUADRANGLE INDI-
CATES NO DATA.
coNFAmraveg far IFigliseisigglOWIrrniVRE3Pe55009747R000200100001-0
NI.
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45?
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50?
LEGEND
MUD
MUD, SAND
SAND
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CONFIDENTIAL
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BOTTOM SEDIMENTS FIGURE 22-70
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INDEX MAP
ETHIOPIA AND THE SOMALILANDS
1
?
MAJOR BEACH AREA
(Heavy line indicates usable portions of beach areas.
Beach length not necessarily all usable, see beach table.)
-MINOR BEACH AREA
LANDING PLACE
PORTS
NAVY-JUNE 1962
BAJA DI
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