Code Name MULBERRY: The Planning Building and Operation of the Normandy Harbours

Allied leaders and military planners realized early in preparations for the invasion of NW Europe that the massive forces required to defeat Hitler’s armies needed constant resupply of men, equipment, ammunition, fuel and other materials. These would have to come in by sea but it was known that the Germans would not only defend the few major ports but destroy them before withdrawing.

The drastic answer was to build two artificial harbors. This extraordinary venture involved the most ingeniou...