The contribution of Royal Navy aircraft carriers and the Fleet Air Arm to Operation ‘Overlord’, 1944

Tim Benbow

doi:10.1177/0968344517702417

The contribution of Royal Navy aircraft carriers and the Fleet Air Arm to Operation ‘Overlord’, 1944

Tim Benbow

Defence Studies

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

This article examines the utility of naval aviation, specifically the contribution of the British naval air arm to Operation Overlord. It argues that while there were practical reasons for carriers not being present directly off the Normandy beaches, British naval aviation supported the invasion both directly (from ashore, and from carriers operating at a distance) and indirectly, over a long period. It was also performing a range of other roles in several theatres. Navies and naval aviation contribute to campaigns in a way that is different to land-based forces; understanding this requires a bigger map and a longer timeline.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	265-286
Number of pages	22
Journal	War in History
Volume	26
Issue number	2
Early online date	18 Sept 2017
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/0968344517702417
Publication status	Published - 1 Apr 2019

Keywords

D-Day
Operation Overlord
Operation Neptune
Fleet Air Arm
Naval aviation
Aircraft carriers
Royal Navy

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10.1177/0968344517702417

Contribution of RN aircraft carriers_BENBOW_Accepted3March2017_GREEN AAMAccepted author manuscript, 504 KB

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The contribution of Royal Navy aircraft carriers and the Fleet Air Arm to Operation ‘Overlord’, 1944

Abstract

Keywords

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