Invasion airfields and amphibious-lift bottlenecks

Carrier air power was expected to bridge the dangerous period before land-based aviation could operate from Japan itself. American Seabees and British mobile naval base units therefore studied how to construct airfields rapidly after the landings. Mulberry-style artificial harbours were considered, but the distances across the Pacific made towing Normandy's solution impractical. Amphibious shipping also had to land British Empire and American forces before being reassigned to move Soviet troops. Planners consequently questioned whether enough carriers would survive to support later stages while Soviet forces waited for transport and shore bases came online.