Editorial: Importance of Cherbourg
Although Nazi generals could not know exactly where the Allies would strike and consequently had to prepare their defenses for hundreds of miles along the northern coast of Europe, there is strong evidence that they did anticipate Gen. Eisenhower’s first major objective. When Allied landings were made in Normandy and American troops began driving westward to cut off the Cherbourg Peninsula, their suspicions were confirmed.
This is the most powerful of Allied operations from the beachhead, with many divisions taking part. When the Cherbourg Peninsula is severed, hundreds of square miles will be added to Allied holdings.
But size of this territory is secondary to the advantage – rather, the necessity – of seizing a port large enough to accommodate the transport requirements of a sustained European campaign. Cherbourg itself must be taken. Then, and then only – barring a successful assault on Le Havre – can Gen. Eisenhower be sure of solving the supply problem.
American troops engaged in this operation are hampered by low terrain which the Nazis have flooded. It is now revealed that the Germans let in the water before D-Day, not afterward, in anticipation of the Allied maneuver. But they did not, perhaps could not, spare enough troops to defend the area effectively. Furthermore, the Americans lost little time in winning control of sluices which are being used to reduce the floods in that area.
When U.S. divisions engaged in the operation succeed in taking Cherbourg, it will be a victory of top importance and will have a positive effect on the future conduct of the entire European campaign.