D Day help required on Grandfathers movements

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by The Guardroom, Jun 30, 2009.

  1. The Guardroom

    The Guardroom Senior Member

    Hi,
    Hoping some of the D-Day experts can help me with some info on my Grandfathers movements on D-Day. Finding the war dairy for the 226th Bomb Disposal Section RE in the NA, the 226th were destined for Port En Bessin to clear it for the oil pipe line as a separate section under its own strength. They were delayed landing into the port after the attack by 47 Commando and were shipped up to between Asnecles sur Mer and Ver sur Mer, where they made a wet landing D-Day +2.
    Can anyone tell me what wwhere that would likely to have been ? I think its Jig or King Beach, but trying to find out what Gap on the beacjh they most likely came through.

    They then proceeded to Kipling Assembley Area. Where was that ?

    On reaching Port en Bessin, the section HQ was set up at MR753868 and my Grandfather then went on into te town as part of the diving crew to deal with the beach and harbour explosives / boobytraps. He was one of the men who checked the 2 German Navy ships in the harbour.

    He later went on to assist the rescue of several men and unfortunately recover several bodies of men of the 73rd Field Coy RE at MR747879 on the eastern high ground of the port.

    If anyone has a 1944 map of the area around Port en Bessin, I would also help greatly.

    The aim is to start indentifying the areas he saw, so that I can take the family on a visit to the area.

    Also if anyone has any information on the 226th BD section I would appreciate it. They were part of 25th Bomb Disposal Company, but sailed to Normandy before the 25th who later sailed at the end of June to Normandy.

    Many thanks,
    Alan
     
  2. idler

    idler GeneralList

    If anyone has a 1944 map of the area around Port en Bessin

    Not brilliant quality, but found this:
     

    Attached Files:

  3. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

  4. blacksnake

    blacksnake As old as I feel.

    Alan, no maps of Port-en-Bessin but do have these two aerial photographs taken some time after D-Day. Unfortunately they only show the western bluff and harbour area ...

    Aerial Port-en-Bessin.jpg

    The 'Naval' ships you are referring to were two German Flak ships that were anchored in the harbour at the time of 47 RMC's attack on the port. They played a significant part in defending the western bluff against the attack. They can be seen in both of the above pictures.

    We actually stayed in Port-en-Bessin last year, I found the harbour area and eastern bluff very interesting places, much of the defensive network is still in place today. The western side has the memorial to 47 RMC and a bunker, but the rest has been overtaken by an 18 hole golf course.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. blacksnake

    blacksnake As old as I feel.

    Alan,
    Here is a link that contains a very detailed account of the actions of 226th BD section ... peopleswar

    Also, a better photograph of the two Flak ships that where anchored in the harbour taken shortly after D-Day ...

    copiedeportbbargedcaus5.jpg
     

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