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Following the breakout of the Normandy Region, France, the western Allies still required deep water ports to allow logistical supplies to be unloaded closer to the frontline as it advanced eastwards. Le Havre had been captured by British forces on 14 September 1944 and Boulogne by Canadian forces on 22 September. The Canadian forces continued the advance on the long-left flank and captured Calais on 30 September. However, Dunkirk remained in German control.
Withdrawing German forces heading eastwards and 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 that were tasked with creating these ‘Festungs’ in the port area were of mixed capability. Many were of low-grade training and conducted static defensive duties. They also included Kreigsmarine (German Navy) personnel stationed in the area.
By early September the Canadian Divisions had crossed the river Seine around Elbuf and advance northwest. They were tasked to clear the remaining German forces from the areas and specifically to capture ports. Key ports along the cost included Dieppe, Boulogne, Calais and Dunkirk. The latter two being the final tour ports before moving into Belgium.
The Canadian 2nd Infantry Division after liberating Dieppe advanced through the Somme region and into the Pas-de-Calais. The Canadian 3rd Infantry Division had liberated Boulogne and then moved for Calais and Cap Gris-Nes. The 2nd Infantry Division were tasked to surround Dunkirk and begin a siege of the town. Unlike Operation Wellhit and Undergo at Boulogne and Calais, the battle here was not a large operation.
The belief that the German forces in Dunkirk believed to be around 10,000 would surrender with the fall of Calais, the Canadian 4th Armoured Division advancing onto Brugge, Belgium and the British capture of Antwerp would lead to a surrender. This would not be the case; the Germans would strongly defend the town and port.
The Canadian 5th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division would not be here for a prolonged period. They had surrounded the town on the 8 September and on the 18 September moved another location further into Belgium.
From that date the Siege of Dunkirk was continued by British forces before being handed over to the 1st Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade on 9 October 1944. They then remained there until the siege ended on 9 May 1945.
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Digue des Allies