DD tanks and the problem of getting armour ashore

Were DD tanks a good idea, how did the Navy regard them, and how often were they used?

They were a useful addition to an amphibious assault because they could put armour ashore early. Weather and launch decisions shaped their Normandy reputation, and later use was mainly in river crossings.

DD tanks offered a way to get armour ashore before a beach was secure enough for larger landing ships to approach. Rough weather at Normandy made the launch decision especially consequential. Keeping tanks aboard and bringing the ships closer risked the ships, while following the planned offshore launch risked the tanks. The poor reputation of DD tanks is tied to those decisions and the incomplete information available during a large operation. After Normandy, their more limited employment was mainly in river crossings.