Mulberry harbour

The Mulberry harbors were two built in World War II by the Allies artificial replenishment ports on the coast of Normandy ( Calvados ). The ports were designed by the engineers Ove Arup and Ronald Jenkins.

Planning

The planning of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force saw as part of Operation Overlord after the successful landing in Normandy, the construction of two large docks for transport ships before. Mulberry "A" should be before four -sur -Mer ( Omaha Beach ) by the Americans and Mulberry "B " in front of Arromanches ( Gold Beach ) built by the British. The items were prefabricated in England and assembled off the coast of Normandy.

Description and Commissioning

The principle was for both ports the same. They should offer protection against the rough sea and allow the discharge of ships during the tidal range. The former could be achieved, which formed an artificial reef around the port at which the waves broke through the application of caissons and the scuttling of older vessels. Further out at sea, large metal structures called bombardons were anchored, which also served to mitigate the waves. For the realization of a " round- the - clock - discharge " have had to move up and down the pier with the tide. Also for this caissons were used, were admitted to the long metal poles. Of these, the Pierköpfe slid up and down with the tide. The road system to transport the supplies of goods covered approximately 500 acres in the harbor.

On land the Allies built large warehouses and fleets. Old streets were widened and created new for faster transportation of goods to the front.

Construction of the two ports was June 7, 1944, one day after landing. After three days, the first ships could be unloaded. The completion should take place on June 20. A violent storm, which started on 19 June and weakened only after three days, destroyed Mulberry " A", which was not secured in accordance with the specifications, almost completely. The Americans gave up the repair so that the usable components were used to complete the easier damaged port Mulberry "B". In four- Ville- Saint -Laurent, the Americans erupted, however, still transports on land, which later even more effective proved to be the discharge at sea.

The British Mulberry harbor "B" went into full operation shortly thereafter. A total of 628,000 tons of supplies goods, 40,000 vehicles and 220,000 soldiers could be brought ashore here until October 31.

Pictures

Remains of the Mulberry "B " Investment in Arromanches- les- Bains.

Ponton 449 a landing stage

Beetle - pontoons, Phoenix in the background elements

Panorama Mulberry "B " Investment