After fighting its way along Normandy’s Cotentin peninsular, this week in the war, on 26 June 1944, troops of the 9th Division of the American VII Corps arrived at the edge of the Cherbourg dockyard.

Cherbourg had one of the most important harbours in northern France. Capturing it was a major objective for the Allied forces that had invaded Normandy. Unfortunately for the Allies, Germany’s commanding admiral in Cherbourg, Walter Hennecke had had the port facilities completely wrecked. Hitler reward him with the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.

It was well into August before the port could service seagoing vessels.