Delays in establishing an airfield ashore prolonged Force V's support of the Salerno landings and pushed its escort carriers toward their limits. The small carriers could make only 17 knots and had to turn into the wind to launch and recover aircraft. Within their restricted operating area, they then had to return to the leeward end in time for the next flying cycle. Euryalus coordinated these movements and controlled fighters away from the noise of flight operations. Fighters from Illustrious and Formidable protected the carrier force while Force V's own fighters covered the landing area.
Notable Point · 1:34:44-1:37:42
Salerno's escort carriers had little room or speed for repeated flying cycles
Slow escort carriers had to fit repeated into-wind flying runs into confined waters while larger carriers supplied fighters to protect the force.