Bombardment of the Normandy beaches – Operation Neptune

HMS Warspite bombarding German positions in the Sword Beach area on June 6, 1944 (Photo: IWM)

The artillery embarked on the naval vessels of the allied navies represents a double interest for the attackers. At first, it allows all targets to be destroyed before the onset of the assault and to support the infantry as well as armored vehicles when no land artillery is yet available. In a second step, when units are on the ground and can stand independently, they offer additional support particularly powerful because of calibres deployed, implementing effective barrage or neutralization fire.

The naval artillery allied as to target targets on or near the beaches almost immediately after the bombardment carried out by the aviation, namely at 5:10 in the morning. The warships are divided according to intervention forces, Task Forces, which have all their objectives: in front of Utah Beach, the Task Force U shells the batteries of Saint-Marcouf and Quinéville, the various points of support and Maisy’s battery. The Task Force O in front of Omaha and the Pointe du Hoc do the same with particular points the battery on the Pointe du Hoc, points of support between Vierville-sur-Mer and Port-en-Bessin. The first shot of the Allied armada is made by the Orion cruiser off Gold Beach (Task Force G), which is followed immediately by the cruisers Ajax, Argonaut, Emerald, by the Dutch gunboat Flores and thirteen destroyers. The naval artillery continually strikes the targets allocated beforehand until thirty minutes before the start of the landing proper, that is to say 5:50.

If there are no line vessels (cruiser, battleship or gunboat) deployed in front of Juno beach, naval fire support is provided by the 11 destroyers deployed in this area (Task Force J). Finally, the naval artillery of the Task Force S in front of Sword Beach takes on the batteries located east of the Orne. In addition, ships carrying infantrymen and tanks like the LCT (R) are firing rocket salvos at German positions throughout their approach to the beach.

Artillery observers guide the fire of the warships, which then make the corrections. These personnel are either embarked on board ships or in flight in reconnaissance aircraft. But the quality of the bombing leaves something to be desired, especially in the area of Omaha Beach. The first shells fire the dunes and a thick smoke masks the visibility to the observers who are no longer able to provide a specific support for the benefit of the troops. Many shells are too long and get lost in the Normandy hinterland, leaving German points of support almost intact. The result of these bombardments, especially in Omaha, is sometimes more spectacular than effective, but the assault troops keep a foolproof motivation by attending this impressive show.

Once the troops have been landed on the beaches, the shooting of the naval artillery is more punctual, on well-defined objectives and the allied gunners are then guided by the personnel in contact. In Omaha Beach, the Germans sheltered in the support points opened fire at the last moment to reveal their positions as late as possible. They use only ordinary ammunition and it is only because they are short that they use tracing bullets, easily identifiable from the ships which immediately open fire towards the departures of the blows.

Throughout the day of June 6, 1944, the naval artillery bombards the beaches and wider the coast, protecting the troops behind a steel curtain, punctually supporting certain offensive actions or stopping counter-attacks opponents as the Pointe of the Hoc. The warships then remain in place in the Seine Bay to support the operations of the Battle of Normandy, particularly in the Caen region.