BATTLEGROUND EUROPE: CHERBOURG - CHANNEL PORTS

The US 4th, 9th and 79th Infantry Divisions in action. Following the landings in Normandy, one of the Allies' main concerns was how to supply the expanding beachhead. Having cut off the Cotentin peninsula, General Bradley turned his attentions to the port of Cherbourg. However, Hitler had given specific orders that the port must be held until the last man. For over two weeks, three divisions battled for the ring of forts surrounding the town and only after heavy casualties was the port taken. It was, however, too late: the Germans had reduced the docks to ruins.