Their job could look mundane because they sailed in convoy, reached the transport area, and unloaded rather than fighting enemy warships. During that unloading period, however, a large ship had limited freedom to maneuver and remained exposed offshore. A nearly 10,000-ton hull packed with troops, stores, and landing craft offered an enemy a lucrative target. Its loss would remove not only personnel but also much of the small-craft capacity needed to put the rest of the force ashore. Amphibious lift therefore demanded protection out of proportion to the apparent routine of its mission.
Notable Point · 38:29-39:53
Why routine troop delivery was a dangerous core mission
Sitting offshore to unload troops made the Glen ships slow, concentrated targets carrying personnel, stores, and much of an assault force's landing craft.