Weather more of problem than enemy in invasion
If D-Day had been delayed two weeks, Allied fleet would have faced disaster
By Edward V. Roberts, United Press staff writer
Allied advanced command post, France – (July 7, delayed)
The weather is still more of a problem to the Allied navies in the invasion operations than enemy activities, a high naval sources indicated today.
He disclosed that if D-Day had been postponed two weeks, which would have been necessary if the June 6 plan had not functioned, Allied initial heavy landings would have been caught in a gale and almost certainly would have faced destruction.
The four-day gale came at a high-tide period and carried some craft so high on the beaches that refloating was a major problem, he said.
Some lost in storm
He revealed that a large number of Thames River barges, equipped with motors, were sent to the beaches for unloading tasks and a few of them were lost in the storm.
He said German naval units were no longer a threat in the invasion area, pointing out that the “Germans have only a few destroyers left. They have had a pretty shattering time.
After D-Day, he said, the Germans made no effort to send naval reinforcements to the Atlantic area, other than E-boats for harassing attacks.
Threat reduced
The torpedo boats have caused some trouble, he acknowledged, but Allied anti-E-boat activities have gradually reduced this threat. However, he stressed the threat was by no means gone, but pointed out that the situation was aided materially by the capture of Cherbourg.
Naval officials expect to have the Cherbourg Harbor, which the Nazis blasted, mined and booby-trapped, in service at an early date.
It was disclosed that repairs to the French port were going forward under the direction of Cdr. William A. Sullivan, naval salvage expert, who reconstructed the ports at Bizerte and Naples.
The project at Cherbourg is “almost 100% American,” the source said, with the British contributing only certain salvage gear.