Normandy - Port Winston Artificial Harbor in Arromanches

In the last 10 years I have to admit I have really become intrigued in WWII especially D-Day (plus I love all types of history). Two of our favorite movies are - Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan. Joe and I highly recommend them! We were really excited to be here in person where some of the bravest men fought for our country. Our goal was to do a fly-by of each site so that the children would not get bored. Joe and I could probably spend hours at each site and every museum. 

The little village of Arromanches, France

East of the US landing sites of Utah and Omaha beaches lies a small French village of Arromanches. This beach was probably the most important beach in the Allied landing in Normandy in 1944, and was critical for supporting the war against Hitler. I did not know how important this role was until I visited this little town. Arromanches is the site of the artificial harbor that the British built to bring in the machinery and fuel to the Allied troops in France. The established ports were heavily defended by the German troops. Winston Churchhill came up with this idea that he would build all the components needed for a harbor in England and tow them across the Channel, where they could be assembled in Arromanches. They named the port, "Port Winston".

On June 7, 1944 after serious aerial and sea bombing - 17 old ships sailed 90 miles across the English Channel to Arromanches. Their crews sank them so that each bow faced the next ship's stern, forming a sea barrier. Then 500 tugboats towed 115 football-field sized cement blocks (called Mulberries) across the channel. These were also sunk to create a 4 mile long breakwater 1.5 miles off the shore. Finally the engineers set up floating steel "pier heads" with extendable legs, and linked these to shore with 4 mile long floating roads made of concrete pontoons. Within 6 days of operation, 54,000 vehicles, 326,000 troops, and 110,000 tons of goods had crossed the English Channel…and everyone knows the rest that 11 months later Hitler was dead and the war was over. 

Port Winston in 1944

Here is a quick video I found that shows the different components used in the artificial harbor at Port Winston.

You can still see the remains of the concrete structures that formed the
breakwater and there is a section of the steel causeway. This is looking to the left side.

When we arrived at the harbor I honestly was not expecting to see anything in the ocean. I didn't think about it too much beforehand.  I was amazed how much is still out in the water from World War II. Its also hard to imagine all these poor French people driven out of their towns in fear of the Germans. We learned that in this town its only recently that the population has returned to its 1944 numbers. I could not imagine even coming back to the town where a massive battle happened and so many soldiers died.

This is looking to the right side of the harbor and you can see the concrete structures in the distance. 

The children having a visual history lesson!  

These were the floating support boats that held up the bridge.

Looking back the village of Arromanches

This is part of the bridge (road) and they would link these together over the floating pontoon boats

looking back at the harbor while walking up to the cliffs

Sherman tank "Berry Au Bac"

Very neat to see a cross at the top of the cliff overlooking the harbor...

…and a statue of Mary

The Higgin boats that was basically a landing craft that brought all the soldiers to the coast on D-Day

The tide was getting low and T wanted to walk out to the harbor remains. It really is amazing that this is all still here. You would think that the French would want all this removed since it is a constant reminder…but maybe they just leave it as a memorial.  

It was really neat to spend time here in Arromanches. Joe said he saw a restaurant window that said, "English spoken here, welcome to all our liberators.". Throughout this whole region you can't help but be proud to be an American. I know people say the French don't like Americans but I found they were more friendly outside of Paris. Plus everywhere you go in Normandy you will see the flags flying of the Allied liberators. The US flag is usually in the middle and flying the highest!