How did navy pilots find their way home after a mission without any electronic navigation aids like we use today? I know that the carrier fleets would have had the ability to do a DF Steer, for example, but that would give away the position of the carrier group to the enemy as well. If the fleet didn't move, then I suppose that basic Dead Reckoning works, but how did this actually play out in a combat environment where the ships are moving and the pilots are busy with tasks other than navigation. I'm particularly curious about fighters, since I know the bigger planes often had a dedicated navigator on board.
More input is always welcome; while we wait, you may be interested in this thread asking the same question. u/thefourthmaninaboat provides the general overview, while u/DBHT14 provides a specific view at the USN, specifically at Midway. There's also this prior thread with a tick more discussion, also featuring the same two users.
I also highly endorse u/DBHT14's recommendation of Lundstrom's The First Team; it's a chunky thing, but there is just no better book for US carrier operations in the early part of the Pacific Theatre.