NORMANDY HARBOUR CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 21, 19 October 1944, Page 5

NORMANDY HARBOUR CRISIS

Situation After D-Day

(Received October 18, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, October 18.

Huge GOOO-ton concrete blocks forming the breakwater for an American portable harbour which had been taken across the English Channel after D-day disintegrated under a pounding surf during the violent gales that swept the Normandy beaches in June, state the United States naval headquarters. The harbour, which was one of two —one American and one British -—was entirely unprotected, aud the waves transformed the floating metal outer breakwater into twisted wreckage, which became a serious hazard to navigation. The storm was so severe tliat a decommissioned British battleship which had been sunk ns a blockshi'j) almost split iii half. Craft of till descriptions were congested inside the line of blockships seeking refuge from the 25ft. seas, and many lost their anchors and snapped their mooring lines. Some put to sea but exhausted their fuel and were swept on to the beaches.

Salvage went on even while the storm raged. The crews of small boats performed heroically, even carrying cargo from tlie floundering ships to the beaches. Useable components from the harbour were subsequently moved to the British beach-head, which was protected by a reef. It is disclosed in London that more than 100 enemy warships, auxiliaries and merchant shins were sunk or severely damaged as the result of extensive minelaying in conjunction with the Normandy landing. It is estimated that 30 per cent, of flic casualties may lie attributed to mines laid by the Navy and 70 per cent, to mines laid by planes.