Lepe D-Day Site May, 1944

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Re-construction of Embarkation Hard Q2 and Mulberry Harbour Construction Platforms at Stanswood (Lepe) in May 1944. Contemporary photos of the site in use are scarce, but this model is based on solid evidence from archaeological recording, wartime diaries, plans, loading tables, known examples elsewhere, and some later aerial shots. The model shows two of six phoenix caissons already launched into the water. These massive structures were partially built here, launched, and then towed up Southampton Water to be completed. Q2 hard was constructed first in October 1942 and was operational before the Mulberry harbour area was added in 1944. The Q2 hard functioned independently from the Mulberry harbour until its construction was complete. As soon as the caissons were launched, attention turned back to the hard for the final preparations leading up to D-Day. We will continue to add more information and detail to this model. If you have any photos or memories of this site, please get in touch with us so we can include them. You can find out more about this topic here: https://nfknowledge.org/contributions/d-day-at-lepe-beach