Headquarters ships brought the command machinery of a large amphibious operation close to the landing area. Their map tables, radar, radio, and command spaces supported naval, army, air force, intelligence, diplomatic, legal, and multinational staff work beyond the task force facilities of an ordinary warship. This was theatre-level coordination rather than the more limited command rooms carried by warships and landing platform docks. In this assessment, HMS Bulolo was the most successful British example and the only one fully worth the investment, while the others were useful but saw less service. She acted as the operation's coordinating centre, and her use for the Japanese surrender at Singapore reflected her place in the Far Eastern command structure.
Chapter · 1:31-5:33
Headquarters ships as floating command centres
Major amphibious operations needed ships packed with maps, radio, radar, intelligence, and joint-service staffs.