Newhaven Fort Prepares for
D-Day

On the 6th June 1944, Britain and her allies launched the greatest invasion of all time against the might of Hitler’s fortress Europe. At 9:30am, the B.B.C. gave the world the news it had been waiting for. The brief message from the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force read,

“Under the command of General Eisenhower, allied naval forces supported by strong air forces, began landing allied armies on the northern coast of France.”

D-Day had finally arrived

156,000 troops with supporting armour were landed on five beaches between Le Havre and Cherbourg. The operation was supported by 1213 warships, 4123 landing craft, 1600 other ships, 11500 aircraft and 3500 gliders.

Sussex and the South Coast was the springboard for the planned invasion of Normandy. In the weeks leading up to D-Day, thousands of troops poured into East and West Sussex to stay in sealed camps ready for the big push into France. Jeeps, trucks, tanks and armoured cars lined the lanes of the county and stack of rifles were piled up, ready to be grabbed by soldiers.

For Sussex people, who were fighting the war on the home front, it was a time they will never forget. The beaches were a mass of tangled barbed wire to foil Hitler’s would be invaders. Piers had their middle section taken away for the same reason. Young boys and men too old to join the Army patrolled the Downs as part of the Home Guard forces in the look out for German paratroopers.

In Newhaven, the port was full of all types of landing craft, motor torpedo boats and other ships. Further up the river there were more concealed under camouflage covers and waiting for embarkation to Normandy.

The story of D-Day has been told in countless books and films and during 2004 it will be repeated so that new generations will learn of the heroic events and personal sacrifices which changed the history of the world.

Sunday June 6th 2004 is the 60th anniversary of D-Day and Newhaven Fort will be commemorating the occasion by hosting a Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance, followed by an afternoon programme of events. Due to the service, the Fort will open slightly later than usual at 12 noon.

Operation Overlord – Service of Remembrance and Commemorative Event
The 60th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings
Newhaven Fort – 6th June 2004

Programme

All timings approximate except the 11.00 Service of Remembrance and 16.30 Sunset Ceremony.