Bathymetry shows that the invasion route crosses shallow water suited to mines and anti-submarine warfare. Concentrating assault shipping improves mutual protection but also concentrates targets; dispersing it weakens defense. Eastern ports lack the west coast's capacity, yet NATO sealift ships are designed to use damaged or minimal facilities. British planning for reinforcing Narvik provides the comparison: a commando brigade was expected to unload through a devastated port within about twenty-four hours. Taiwan's interior roads are limited but still provide routes for redistribution behind the mountain barrier.
Chapter · 1:39:57-1:45:15
Shallow western waters favor mines while eastern ports remain usable
The Taiwan Strait is comparatively easy to mine and patrol, while deeper eastern approaches offer outside supporters difficult but workable access.