Naval Dockyards Society 28th Annual Conference

How were UK and overseas naval establishments occupied in constructing, supplying and transporting troops, harbours and pipelines?

 

The Allied assault on German-occupied France on and after D-Day (6 June 1944) was only possible through naval support, from the largest warships and merchant vessels through to the smallest landing craft. Existing dockyards, harbours and shipyards in the UK, the US, Canada and Bermuda played a vital role in building, preparing, maintaining and repairing the Allied fleets. Remains of these coastal installations survive as tangible heritage of this endeavour.

 

However, the magnitude of the projected naval and land forces required many more temporary bases and facilities, which entailed systematic forward planning. The roles of these establishments included supporting landing craft flotillas, building Mulberry Harbours,2 embarking troops and supplies, and supplying fuel via the PLUTO pipeline. Workforces were dedicated to planning, victualling and furnishing all kinds of supplies. Personnel went through an equivalent period of training and preparation.

 

We are seeking original research about the prelude to D-Day: its planning and execution involving dockyards, shipyards and harbours, including temporary naval facilities and infrastructure, remains of which may survive.