Royal Navy escort carriers could receive tailored air groups for strike or support missions, but they did not always provide the command facilities needed to control a larger formation. A light cruiser could supply staff space, communications, surface protection, and additional AA fire. Royalist served as a flagship for groups of roughly four to six escort carriers. Her deployments included Task Force 88 during Operation Dragoon and, separately, the 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron supporting the Rangoon landings. American practice distributed more of the staff work across other ships and formations. Royalist's command role helps explain her value alongside her anti-aircraft battery.
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Royalist as an escort-carrier flagship
Dido-class command facilities let HMS Royalist coordinate groups of escort carriers that lacked suitable flagship space of their own.