Hovercraft in amphibious operations

What difference could hovercraft have made to Normandy, commando raids, and island hopping?

They would make landings more flexible and reduce the barrier posed by coral, while remaining vulnerable to damage and enemy fire.

Hovercraft would give amphibious planners more flexibility. Their ability to cross reefs and coral would reduce a major constraint in Pacific island operations and open more landing approaches. The same mobility could reshape commando raids and aspects of a Normandy-style assault. It would not remove the enemy, however, because the lightly built craft would still have to survive gunfire, damage, and defended beaches.