A wartime project "Phoenix" concrete caisson being towed in water off Portsmouth harbor in England. British military personnel aboard the caisson. The caisson is identified as "A 30" indicating it is destined to be part of an artificial harbor (code-named "Mulberry") at Omaha beach in the Normandy invasion of World War II. An antiaircraft gun is mounted on a platform at the top of the caisson. Royal engineers turn valves to allow water to enter interior chambers of the caisson, where the water level rises to 23 feet. British troops take up positions on the superstructure of the caisson.
American troops preparing for the invasion of Europe during World War 2. United States Army soldiers on board an LST (Landing Ship Tank) docked in England, three days before D-Day. (Slate month is wrong.) Soldiers eat C rations on the deck of LST. They rinse their mess kits in hot water. Several soldiers assigned kitchen police duties wear helmets displaying "KP." Soldiers sit along gunwales of Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L) number 88. (This craft is one of five that will land on Omaha Beach on D-Day, as part of Assault Group O-1, Commanded overall by Captain Fritzche, U.S. Coast Guard. The LCI(L) 88 belongs to Flotilla 10, and is commanded by Lt. Henry K. Rigg, USCGR)
United States forces preparing for the invasion of Normandy, France, during World War 2. Four United States Coast Guardsmen sit cross-legged and smoke cigarettes, on board a landing craft docked in England, three days before D-Day. A life raft in the background. They simultaneously take off their hats and lower their heads to reveal radical haircuts that collectively spell "HELL."
U.S. Army troops preparing, three days before the invasion of Normandy, France during World War II. Several Army soldiers watch as several Coast Guardsmen explain operation of 20mm antiaircraft gun aboard a Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L), docked at a pier in England.
United States soldiers and several Coast Guardsmen gather for a Catholic mass, on a pier at the port of Waymouth, England, three days prior to the invasion of France in World War 2. A Catholic Military Chaplain conducts the mass. Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L) numbers 89 and 93 can be seen tied up at the dock in the background. A pet dog stands at the feet of the Chaplain, during the mass. The Chaplain administers the sacrament of Holy Communion (Eucharist) to waiting troops.
A flotilla of U.S. Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L)s departing Weymouth, England, on their way to Normandy, France during World War II. One of them is LCI(L) number 495.