FRANCE
DAMAGE TO THE ARTIFICIAL HARBOR AND LANDING CRAFT caused by the storm. The greatest detriment to the Allied build-up was not the enemy, but the weather. From 19–22 June 1944 one of the worst summer gales in Channel history hit the Bay of the Seine. Unloading operations were virtually stopped, the floating steel caissons broke free and sank, the concrete caissons moved or were broken up, and the beach was strewn with hundreds of stranded and damaged craft. The line of sunken ships remained fairly well intact, but as a whole the artificial harbor was destroyed and useless.
FRANCE
A TRUCK ON THE BEACH (2½-ton) and one starting down the ramp of an LST (1½-ton). After the storm wrecked the artificial harbors emergency measures, such as using 2½-ton amphibian trucks to bring men and supplies ashore and “drying out” landing ships and coasters, were employed. By “drying out” the vessels (as in picture) and unloading directly on the beaches, unloading operations were carried out.
FRANCE
