MULBERRIES

MULBERRIES, codename for two artificial ports built to supply Allied troops fighting the Normandy campaign.

After the Dieppe raid showed the virtual impossibility of capturing a French port by frontal assault, Combined Operations Headquarters (COHQ), whose chief, Mountbatten, had already been minuted by Churchill in May 1942 about floating piers, intensified research into alternative methods of supplying troops ashore. Floating piers (WHALES) with adjustable legs (SPUDS) were developed which were protected by 213 hollow concrete caissons (PHOENIXES), some of which were 61 m. (200 ft.) long, 18 m. (60 ft.) high, and displaced 6,000 tons. To give additional protection from bad weather, and to provide a sheltered deepwater anchorage, 61 m.-long floating tanks (BOMBARDONS) were also built for mooring on the 10-fathom line. Later, five smaller harbours (GOOSEBERRIES), formed from 74 blockships (CORNCOBS), which would shelter small craft before the PHOENIXES were in place, were added to the plan. Two became part of the MULBERRIES, while the other three provided separate shelter closer inshore.

The parts for the two harbours, which comprised 400 units weighing 1.5 million tons, were built all around the UK. They were then towed to the south coast where they were submerged, to avoid being spotted by German air reconnaissance. After the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944 (see OVERLORD) they were towed across the Channel and assembled, an operation which involved, 10,000 men and 132 tugs.

Both harbours—one at St Laurent for the Americans, the other at Arromanches for the British and Canadians—were nearing completion when, on 19 June, a gale drove 800 craft ashore and caused such extensive damage to the MULBERRY at St Laurent that it was decided to abandon it. From then on all supplies—up to 11,000 tons a day which were distributed by the Red Ball convoys—were channelled through the MULBERRY at Arromanches with its four WHALES. Though only designed to be operational for 90 summer days it remained in use until December 1944.

Bibliography

Hartcup, G. , Codename Mulberry (Newton Abbot, 1977).