The Ministry of Information presents this World War II documentary, produced by The Admiralty and The Army Film Unit. The black-and-white film covers the process of constructing, transporting, and installing the artificial harbors, Mulberry A and B, only a few days after D-day and the invasion of the beaches of Normandy. The British Army designed and built the harbor in the UK and transported them by sea to France to solve the problem of transporting supplies and vehicles to France along the Normandy coastline, where already existing harbors were too scarce.
“A Harbour Goes to France” title banner (00:08). The British Army’s fleets sailing in the English Channel (00:22). Air force aircraft flying (00:39). Fire is opened on the Normandy coastline (00:56). Navy soldiers from UK, USA, and their allies (01:07). They disembark their ships on the beaches of Normandy (01:16). Footage of the soldiers seizing the beaches (01:27). Soldiers marching (01:36). Sherman DD and/or Sherman Crab tanks (01:39). A map of French harbors (01:48). The captured German 380 mm gun Todt battery at Cap Gris Nez (02:08). Soldiers marching across Normandy (02:12) and walking on a port (02:15). Former Prime Minister Winston Churchill (02:29). His memorandum for peers for beaches (02:34). (02:47). Views of the captured Normandy Beaches (02:50). A Barrage balloon used to defend against enemy air forces (02:56). Château Frontenac on Quebec (03:01). Churchill and associates (03:04). Many people walking on an English harbor (03:08). The construction of the Mulberry harbors, two artificial harbors designed and built by the British in WWII to facilitate the unloading of supply ships at Omaha Beach and Gold Beach (03:23). One Mulberry harbor arriving at Gold Beach in the town of Arromanches (04:27). Army engineers inspect the beach (04:36). Vessels sunk with explosive charges purposefully on the day after D-day (04:53). A map depicting the sunken ships placement creating breakwater (05:15). (05:25). Soldiers ashore (05:40). A building explodes (05:48). Bulldozers clear roads (05:53). Pier sections are towed into position (06:03) by specially constructed boats (06:19). Engineers constructing a steel road (06:32). Soldiers towing concrete breakwaters (06:44). Sea water rushing in through open valves (07:15). Breakwater laid down further out to sea (07:51). Views of the constructed harbor (08:03). Ducks unloading supplies (08:15). Vehicles transporting the supplies inland (08:24). The head of the built pier (08:34). An operator uses a control panel to lower the pier’s legs into the sea (08:44). The construction of a wharf (08:53). A map showing how the port and breakwater expanded (09:15). Views of the completed construction (09:44). Supply is unloaded on the main pier (09:53). Wind blowing on a British flag (09:57). Soldiers working in the port while weather conditions worsen (10:00). Leyland Hippo and other trucks transporting supplies on land (10:17). Views of the rough water due to continues stormy weather (10:25). Supply ships arriving at the harbor (11:23). Views of the damage done on the harbor due to the storm (11:45). Views of the parts of the Mulberry harbor, which wasn’t damaged (11:55). A Landing Ship Tank (LST) unloading an M4 Sherman tank (12:37). M4 Sherman tanks driving on the harbor (12:39). Lorries, Jeeps, and trucks unloading from the LST (12:48). Overviews of the Mulberry Harbor and the beaches of Normandy (13:10). Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) transport trucks driving through the country (13:24) and into Belgium (13:33). Coventry Mark Armored cars (13:37). “The End” written on screen (13:47).
