SitRep
So, the date was June 6th 1944, but that’s not the start of the story, there were numerous activities undertaken in the preceding months & weeks.
One such activity was being undertaken at Stokes Bay, near to Gosport, Hampshire.
It was called operation Phoenix and would be an essential part of the D Day landings following June 6th 1944.
14 Caissons (effectively very large floating concrete blocks) were being constructed close to the water’s edge at Stokes Bay, these would eventually be taken across the channel and used to form an artificial harbour (Mulberry Harbour)
This involved a workforce of some 1,500 workers, perhaps just some of the forgotten heroes of the momentous undertaking known as Operation Overlord.
During the construction 3 of these workers were killed, perhaps should be considered as the first casualties of D Day. Indeed, all civilian casualties should also be remembered.
Another area in Hampshire that played a role in the lead up to D Day, was Creech woods, just to the North of Portsmouth.
This was where 3.5 to 4,000 British and Canadian troops were billeted in tented accommodation in preparation for embarkation for D Day.
To illustrate the human element amongst all the figures & statistics was Fred Perkins of the Royal Berkshire Regiment.
Soon Fred and all the other incredibly brave troops would be on the way to the Normandy beaches, some would never return.
“Lest we forget”.