The Pacific campaigns used escort carriers for the sustained air support already demonstrated at Salerno. Their aircraft patrolled landing areas and supported troops ashore while fleet carriers stood farther out for fleet-level threats. This division placed numerous smaller flight decks where daily sorties were needed without tying down the navy's principal strike force. Samar became a crisis because ships assigned to that support role suddenly faced the surface battle the covering fleet was meant to prevent.
Notable Point · 2:24:58-2:25:53
How escort carriers divided amphibious work from fleet combat
Escort carriers stayed near amphibious forces to support troops ashore while fleet carriers remained available against enemy fleets.