The Normandy invasion could draw on large numbers of land-based fighters, so bringing carriers close to the coast would have added risk without solving the central control problem. The Allies still needed carrier-style aircraft-direction capacity near the beaches for more traffic than anti-aircraft cruisers could comfortably manage. Three converted LST Mark IIs provided the radar, communications, and fighter-direction spaces for that task. Their radar fit amounted to moving Chain Home forward to the invasion area. They also used radar based on German frequencies, a deliberate attempt to keep fighter control working when German jamming targeted Allied bands.
Chapter · 11:10-13:40
Fighter-direction tenders for Normandy air control
Converted LSTs brought carrier-style fighter control to the Normandy beaches without exposing carriers offshore.