The port city of Le Havre, following the occupation by Nazi Germany forces in 1940, would see the facilities used by the Kreigsmarine (German Navy).&nbsp;The Kreigsmarine from Le Havre would patrol the channel and lay mines to try and prevent the western allies from landing in the area of Normandy.&nbsp;Following the allied landings on 6 June 1944, D-Day, on 12 September it would become the final location in the region of Normandy to be liberated.&nbsp;The themed walk allows you to see the Port area where on the D-Day, German torpedo boats left and were able to sink HMNS Svenner off Sword Beach.&nbsp;The liberation of the city is the focus with British forces moving in from the countryside towards the city. Breaching the German defensive lines as quickly as possible to try and secure a deep-water port. This would have assisted, logistically, the allies for movement of troops, supplies and vehicles as the frontline advance west.The German forces however scuttled the port to make it in operable for the allies, the ‘Feustung’ order.

France

La Route de la Libération de l’Europe est un itinéraire culturel certifié par le Conseil de l'Europe reliant les pays, régions, lieux de mémoire et histoires marquant la libération de l’Europe de l’occupation du régime nazi. La route a été conçue par la Fondation LRE comme un moyen de réfléchir à l’histoire de la guerre et à ses conséquences à longs termes grâce à une approche multinationale et multi perspective. Avec des centaines de sites et histoires dans neuf pays européens, la route relie les principales régions traversées par les forces Alliées en 1943-1945.La Fondation LRE et sa branche nationale LRE France présentent ici la Route de la Libération en France, la partie française de l’itinéraire qui vise à créer des sentiers de la mémoire dans toutes les régions françaises touchées par la Seconde Guerre mondiale et la Libération. Vous pouvez ainsi découvrir et visiter des musées, des monuments et des sites historiques, et en apprendre plus sur les histoires et les itinéraires thématiques de la LRE en France.

View of Le Havre  

1280px-cimetiere_militaire_ste_marie.jpg

Monument au morts de Le Havre

sanvic-1.jpg

The impact of war on Le Havre

​​Le Havre was a key port facility during the First World War for the deployment of soldiers and supplies. It would also be crucial in the casualty evacuation process. Most of the burials within the cemetery reflect this, with 1,690 identified and 8 unidentified burials.&nbsp;During the Second World War, the port would once again be used by the Allies. In 1940, during the fall of France, men of the 51st Highland Division retreated to the area of St Valery and Le Havre for evacuation. Thousands were captured during this period, with men being killed or dying of wounds in this area, where they were then buried.&nbsp;​For the 51st Highland Division, this area lived long in the memory. In September 1944, they would return to liberate St Valery and Le Havre. They would suffer more casualties, who are buried in the plots of this cemetery.&nbsp;​In total, there are 364 identified burials with a further 59 unidentified. They are within the cemetery divisions of 64 and 67. Casualties range from 1940, and many RAF air crews of the period following this were killed on operations.&nbsp;​There is a small number of D-Day 6 June 1944 casualties buried within here. This includes two glider pilots and men of the 12th Devonshire Regiment. They were glider-borne infantry of the 6th Airlanding Brigade.&nbsp;Several burials from 10-12 September 1944 are from the liberation of Le Havre. The final location in the region of Normandy to be liberated.&nbsp;​These plots are cared for and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.​&nbsp;

Sainte Marie Cemetery

​​The memorial was sculpted by Pierre-Marie Poisson in 1922; it was made in 1924. The stone base rises from ground level, where the memorial forms into numerous sculptures of soldiers, men, women, and children.&nbsp;​Around the base of the memorial are the names of those who died during the First World War that came from the city of Le Havre.&nbsp;​In 1940, war returned to France and the German occupation that followed. Over the coming year, the Western allies targeted the port facilities of Le Havre ,causing significant damage to the area.&nbsp;​The memorial remained undamaged, unlike nearly all the buildings that surrounded it in the port area. In September 1944, British forces under the command of the Canadians liberated the city.&nbsp;​In the coming years, the memorial was then developed with the inclusion of those from the city who were killed during the Second World War.&nbsp;​The memorial is 10 metres high and 5 metres in width. It is considered one of the most imposing memorials in all of France.​

Monument aux morts

​​This stretch of the cliff area that towers over the shingle beaches below gave the tactical advantage for the German defences to be created in this area. Firstly, for defence of the area from any naval approaches. Secondly, the high flat ground would be used to install the German radar systems for detection for approaches by air or sea.&nbsp;​To the northern side of this coastal area is the former French Napoleonic fort called ‘Dollemard’. This is more commonly known now as the Batterie Dollemard. This consisted of two large open gun platforms, billets, and a fire control post. The old fort had been turned into a battery by the occupying Germans and then expanded. &nbsp;​Two large guns on open platforms were capable of 360-degree fields of fire. But the intended purpose was to fire out to sea and on to any approaching allied shipping.&nbsp;​The fire command post sits on the edge of the cliff and would also be used for observation purposes to direct and adjust fire from the two guns that were positioned here. Other concrete bunkers are now closed off, but were used for storage and billets for the personnel positioned here.&nbsp;​To the southern part of this site is the German radar site facility. Numerous large concrete structures formed part of this site. &nbsp;​The largest radar on this site was the FuMO 5, Wurzberg system. This could detect allied aircraft of naval vessels between 40km-50km in distance away from Le Havre. This radar system was also supplemented by the smaller Freya system.&nbsp;​The Freya system, though smaller in size, was a more modern advancement. This had a range of detection up to 200km in distance and was an early warning system.&nbsp;The third large structure on the site was used for personnel, operated by the Kreigsmarine (German Navy).&nbsp;​When visiting this site, it is strongly advised to remain well back from the cliff edges and not to enter any of the concrete positions.​&nbsp;

German defences & radar

​​The role of 30th Assault Unit and its operations, to this day, still draws attention. The unit was formed under the command of naval officers Ian Fleming and Lord Louis Mountbatten. Ian Fleming, following the end of the Second World War, became a world-famous author. He wrote the James Bond novels, and drew from his wartime experiences, operations, and men he served with to create storylines.&nbsp;​30th Assault Unit was present in Le Havre for the liberation following the advance of the 49th and 51st Infantry Divisions to the city. Collectively, they began to push forward from 10 September 1944 and liberated the city on 12 September.&nbsp;​The 30th Assault Unit was present and tasked to secure the Kriegsmarine (Navy) Headquarters. They would search for sensitive documents or capture persons of high interest. They would support the infantry advancing into the city centre and port area.&nbsp;​On 12 September, Marine Jim Feely was with the unit as they entered Le Havre. Jim stated that he and the others had been captured following the battle to take the HQ. During this battle, he stated that it was quite clear that some of the Germans did not want to be taken as prisoners of war. The majority were compliant, but a small number did not want to be captured. Still armed, they fired rounds towards the Marines. &nbsp;​During this, Jim luckily escaped injury with a couple of bullets passing through his leather jerkin. He fell to the floor and played dead where he was, then was captured by the Germans. However, for two of the Marines present, they would not be so lucky.&nbsp;​Captain ‘Red’ Huntington-Whiteley and Marine Shaw were killed by the Germans, who did not want to surrender. The Captain had been with the 30th Assault Unit from the start and recruited many men who served within the unit. Both the Captain and Trooper were part of 33 Section, A Troop.&nbsp;Both men are buried in the communal cemetery alongside one soldier from the 51st Highland Division.​&nbsp;

​​30 Assault Unit, Royal Marines in Le Havre​ 

​​The German forces had long created the defences around the city of Le Havre, these formed part of the ‘Atlantic Wall’ defences. New defensive positions were installed along the coastline and port area. Old French fort defensive positions had been fortified and used as well, this included the Dollemard battery located north west of the city.&nbsp;​The German forces knew that the Allies would look to capture deep-water ports and use them once an invasion had taken place. Le Havre was one of the most important and busiest ports in France, the German Navy (Kriegsmarine) had also used it extensively. The Allied Navy had tried to prevent the use of the port by laying minefield belts in the area of the bay of the Seine and the English Channel.&nbsp;​The Germans looked to fortify the port, not only by the expansion of the Atlantic Wall. The Germans deployed over 110 artillery and naval guns in the area. These would look out to see and land approaches to the city. The German forces that had garrisoned there were around 8,000 men of the 226th and 245th Infantry Divisions. Some Kreigsmarine personnel remained at the time of the battle for the city. The Germans had also created a large number of anti-tank ditches in an effort to protect it from attacks from the east. These ran from Montivillers to Octeville-sur-Mer.&nbsp;​The port itself sat at the mouth of the estuary of the Seine River and gave direct access to the river and to the Bay of the Seine. The western side of the river Seine had been liberated and in allied hands since to conclusion of Operation Paddle in late August. The British and Canadian forces had then moved south and crossed the Seine in Elbuf before then heading north once again.&nbsp;​The Germans, by early September, were in full withdrawal eastwards across France. Some of the major ports remained garrisoned by German forces. They eventually destroyed and skuttle ports beyond use by the allies.&nbsp;​Those who remained in the area of Le Havre were quickly encircled by the British 49th Infantry Division and the 51st Highland Division. They were left to fall back to the defences in and around Le Havre. On 10 September, the British units advanced to liberate the city.&nbsp;​The population of the city was originally 50,000 inhabitants. By the time of 10 September, 15,000 remained and needed shelter as the battle began.​&nbsp;&nbsp;

Festung le Havre

​​Wing Commander Wheeler was enlisted on 17 October 1940 in Ottawa and trained under the Empire Air Training Scheme. On 11 April 1941 he was awarded his wings and the rank of Pilot Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He rose through the ranks from 1941 to 1944 to the rank of Wing Commander. During this time, he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). The citation of his award states: &nbsp;​‘In April 1942 Wing Commander Wheeler was leader of a second section of a formation of Boston aircraft detailed to attack the docks of Le Havre. Despite the very intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire by which his aircraft was repeatedly hit, Wing Commander Wheeler pressed home his attack. Immediately after releasing his bombs the port engine failed through the damage by anti-aircraft fire, and he was forces to leave the formation and follow behind. Steadily losing height he skilfully flew the damaged aircraft back to base. His skill and perseverance contributed largely to the safe return of the valuable aircraft and crew. In September 1941 at a low level and in the dace of intense anti-aircraft fire Wing Commander Wheeler attacked and sank a flak ship of between 800-1000 tons, which was escorting a convoy. He has displayed courage keenness and devotion to duty which have contributed largely to the success achieved. He has set a fine example.’&nbsp;​On 15 February 1944, he was on a bombing raid to target construction works at Flottemanville which was located 25km south east of Cherbourg. His aircraft was seen to be hit by anti-aircraft fire and crash towards Cherbourg. Initially he was recorded as missing but in due course his death and burial at the Cherbourg Communal Cemetery took place.&nbsp;​An extensive file is held by the archives of the Government of Canada which gives a great insight into his service and reporting of his death over several years to his family. This also includes hand written letters to the Canadian authorities asking for information.​

​​Wing Commander Arthur Brian Wheeler​ 

​​The First Canadian Army and the British 21st Army Group had crossed the Seine and were clearing the remaining German troops as the Allies advanced east. The Canadian forces had pushed north from Rouen to Dieppe. A small number of British units had been attached to the First Canadian Army to assist the task.​The 49th and 51st Infantry Divisions moved westwards and towards the area of Le Havre. They had begun to surround the city and the port. On 5 September the pre-bombardment for Operation Astonia started with multiple bombing raids hitting the city and the defences. This intensified, and on 10 September the Royal Navy joined the fight, with ships HMS Warspite and HMS Erebus and their up to 38cm guns.&nbsp;​The support of the British Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Navy and the 4th and 9th Army Group Royal Artillery saw a vast amount of ammunition bought down on the defences all around the city. A large RAF raid saw over 1,800 bombers drop nearly 10,000 tonnes of ammunition. At 17:45 on 10 September, the Royal Navy ships opened fired on coastal defences and a final RAF raid saw a further 5,000 tonnes of bombs dropped. To the east of Le Havre units of the British 49th Infantry Division then began to assault the German defence lines and anti-tank ditches.&nbsp;​During this further bombardment of defences, the 1st East Riding Yeomanry were tasked to carry out a regimental shoot. The armoured unit numbered around 60 Sherman tanks in total. All tanks were deployed to fire onto targets, and had been ordered to fire 60 rounds each per tank. This was in support of the artillery and saw around 3,600 rounds fired by the tanks onto German positions.&nbsp;​On 11 September the attack continued as the British forces liberated the villages to the outskirts of Le Havre. This forced any remaining German forces back to the outer defences of the city. By 12 September, both the 49th and 51st Infantry Divisions had entered the city, and it was now the task to clear the remaining German troops. At 11:45 the German commander of the garrison surrendered to the British forces and the city of Le Havre was finally liberated. This also signalled the liberation of the region of Normandy as it was the last place to be liberated in the region where the Allies had landed on the 6 June 1944.​

The impact of war on Le Havre

Photos

Sites and stories along the route

Sainte Marie Cemetery

Monument aux morts

German defences & radar

30 Assault Unit, Royal Marines in Le Havre

Festung le Havre

Wing Commander Arthur Brian Wheeler

Operation Astonia

The impact of war on Le Havre

Photos

Sites and stories along the route

Sainte Marie Cemetery

Monument aux morts

German defences & radar

​​30 Assault Unit, Royal Marines in Le Havre​

Festung le Havre

​​Wing Commander Arthur Brian Wheeler​

Operation Astonia

30 Assault Unit, Royal Marines in Le Havre

Wing Commander Arthur Brian Wheeler