The Dieppe mine-clearance problem helps explain why aircraft carriers did not operate off the D-Day beaches. A carrier needs broad maneuvering room, but the invasion approaches were crowded with transports and required minesweepers to keep operating areas safe. Nearby land bases could supply the necessary aircraft without placing flight decks inside that congested water. Land-based cover allowed carriers to remain available for other operations around the world.
Notable Point · 1:19:51-1:20:36
D-Day's carrier absence reflected sea room and mine clearance
Land-based airfields could cover Normandy, while carriers would consume scarce swept water and obstruct the landing fleet for little additional benefit.