Operating the Mulberry harbour

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(details)
Arrival of the 1st LST (LST 543) on a Lobnitz column dock (16 June)

(details) LST 540 docking on the artificial beach placed against a Lobnitz dock

(details) The artificial beach from which a GMC truck from the LST goes back to the dock. Another GMC commits to a Whale gateway — (details) The artificial beach from which goes back on the dock a GMC truck out of the LST. Another GMC commits to a Whale gateway

(see details) Mulberry Harbour in its status on June 18: 3 Lobnitz and 2 Whale Bridges — (see details) Mulberry Harbour in its state of progress on June 18: 3 Lobnitz and 2 Whale Bridges

The "Mulberry" was an artificial port consisting of floating docks sliding vertically on columns (the "Lobnitz"). These wharves were connected to the coast by footbridges ("Whale"), placed on floats ("Beetle") moored to dead bodies.
The assembly was installed in a harbour sheltered by reinforced concrete caissons ("Phoenix") dams placed on the bottom. This harbour and floating docks could accommodate LSTs (front-door vessels, 3000t and 110m long) and coasters.
Further offshore a floating breakwater line ("Bombardons") created a summarily protected harbour for the anchorage of large vessels: Liberty Ships (14.000t and 135m long).
It was planned at Vierville 6 Lobnitz docks forming a set connected to the shore by 3 Whale bridges (2 capacity 25t and 1 of 40t, for medium Sherman tanks).
At the first commissioning on 16 June the protected rades were almost completed and 1 bridge (the Centre's one) was available to serve 2 Lobnitz. The photos below show in particular the arrival and unloading of the first LST in 1 hour or 2, which was very promising.
On 18 June, the 2 west and central gateways were connected to 3 docks. The remaining 3 Lobnitz were wet near the West Phoenix Cross and the East Bridge was initiated from the coast.
But the next day, June 19th, a strong wind blow (force 6, gusts 7 to 8) dismantled the floating and fixed breakwaters in 3 days and destroyed the complicated installation of the docks and bridges.

LST mooring system Initial project: 6 Lobnitz and 3 Whale gateways — LST mooring system

Quote by the intelligence officer of the 492nd Fighting Squadron, boarded on June 17 on a LST and landed with his unit on June 18 at MulberryA:"As we were approaching Omaha Beach, we were mouthed at the sight of the docks and floating bridges finished by our engineers. The waterproofing efficiency of our vehicles has never been tested, and not a tire has been wet."

Under the descent of Vierville, the outlet of the west bridge of 40t, that intended for medium tanks.

(details) The front of LST 543 on the artificial beach — (details) The front of the LST 543 laid on the artificial beach

(details) Further back a special frame placed on a dock allows the unloading of vehicles transported on deck on the LST, without having to take them down a pa — (details) Further back a special frame placed on a wharf allows the unloading of vehicles carried on deck on the LST, without having to get them down one by one in its hold by the elevator.

(details) To the right the LST leaned on the artificial beach, at the bottom the special frame to serve its upper deck — (details) Right the LST leaning on the artificial beach, at the bottom the special frame to serve its upper deck

Jeep exiting LST 543 The Whale Pier from the center. On the right is the descent of Vierville and the west jetty being assembled (details) View of the Lobnitz equipped with the bridge — Jeep leaving LST 543

(details) Centre Bridge June 16 — (details) The gateway centre on June 16

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The outlet of the 25t walkway of the centre,
just west of the villa Curto

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The primers of the 3 gateways

(details) The Centre Bridge June 16 (details) — (details) The Centre Bridge June 16

(details) The Centre Bridge, in operation on June 16 (details) — (details) The Centre Bridge, in operation 16 June

(details) Around June 17th the walkways "Whale" in front of the ruins of the villa Mary — (details) Around June 17 the gateways "Whale" before the ruins of the villa Mary

Collection document: Operating the Mulberry harbour

(details) In the foreground one of CTF128's SC escorts docked where LST 543 is coming to dock. Later three tugs in a couple.

(details) Release of a DUKW, 16 June (details) — (details) Release of a DUKW, June 16

(details) Vehicles exit from LST 543, June 16 (details) Vehicles exit from LST 543, June 16 (details) — (details) Vehicles exit LST 543, June 16

In Vierville, the foot of the descent to the sea, to the right the pier Whale West

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