​​Withdrawing German forces heading eastwards back towards Germany were in a state of disarray. On 4 September 1944 Hitler had ordered for port areas to become ‘Festung’ fortresses. The strategic advantage of controlling the ports for supplies was understood. Denying these to the Allies would cause logistical challenges.

​The German units tasked with creating these ‘Festungs’ in the port area were of mixed capability. Many were of low-grade training and conducted static defensive duties. These included Kreigsmarine (German Navy) personnel stationed in the area.

​By early September Canadian Divisions had crossed the River Seine around Elbuf and advanced northeast. They were tasked to clear the remaining German forces and specifically to capture ports. Key ports in France along the coast included Dieppe, Boulogne, Calais and Dunkirk.

​Operation Wellhit was tasked to the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division to liberate Boulogne-sur-Mer town and secure the port. The German defences encircling the town were incomplete but would still make for a difficult task. The town was surrounded by high ground overlooking it. To the north, east and southeast were German artillery batteries that needed to be captured to prevent firing upon Canadian troops in town once they had advanced beyond the defences. The town was also split in two by the River Liane, running from the sea.

​The operation’s tart was delayed due to logistics and availability of artillery and ammunition which had been deployed to support the British in capturing Le Havre. Once available, it needed to be transported by road to Boulogne. In this period however, around 8,000 civilians had been expelled from the town by the German forces. The Canadian forces used this to their advantage to gather intelligence on the German defences that stood in their path.

​The plan was for the operation to begin on 17 September. The advance would be from west to east towards the town. The Canadian 8th Infantry Brigade would advance towards the northern half of the town while the Canadian 9th Infantry Brigade would go south. Once in town, some units would push to capture the port area, others would advance north and south to clear the outskirts and any defensive positions still active.

​From the 17 to 22 September, Canadian forces executed their plans, leading to the liberation of Boulogne and surrounding villages. Around 600 Canadian men were killed or wounded during this operation. German forces suffered similar casualties with around a further 10,000 men taken as prisoners of war. The German surrender was accepted by Brigadier John Meredith Rockingham.