How have warships supported amphibious landings on enemy coastlines?

Warships and specialized naval vessels have historically been essential to the success of amphibious warfare, enabling military forces to project power from the sea onto hostile shores.12

Their support for landings generally involves the following roles:

• Transport and Deployment: Specialized vessels, such as the landing ship, tank (LST), were developed to bridge the gap between sea and land. These ships allow troops, vehicles, and supplies to be off-loaded directly onto beaches, bypassing the need for established port facilities.3
• Logistical Infrastructure: When existing ports are heavily defended or unavailable, navies have deployed artificial harbors, such as the Mulberry harbors used during the Normandy invasion, to facilitate the massive movement of supplies and equipment from ship to shore.4
• Operational Flexibility: Modern amphibious operations integrate various naval assets, including helicopters and high-speed assault transports, to land forces from distances far out at sea. This approach reduces the vulnerability of ships to enemy defenses and helps avoid the congestion of beachheads.2
• Sea Control: Before and during an assault, warships maintain sea control to ensure the safe transit of landing forces and protect them from enemy naval or air interference.1