Mulberry Harbours Explained

During the invasion planning in 1943 it was estimated that the allies would require 12,000 tons of supplies a day to be unloaded to sustain the liberating force as it crossed France. The ambitious invasion plan avoided well defended ports and therefore called for two temporary ports, roughly the size of Dover Harbour.

A composite photograph of Mulberry Harbour B at Arromanches in France. Remains of several elements are still visible today.  

These Harbours known as Mulberry A to serve the American landing Beaches and Mulberry B serving  the British and Canadian Beaches consisted of several elements given the following Code-names:

Bombardons: A floating breakwater.

Corncobs: Ships sunk on the outside of the harbour to act as a breakwater 

Phoenix Caissons: A concrete structure anchored to the sea floor forming a fixed breakwater. These came in several different designs.

Spuds: Pierheads used for the unloading of ships. They were large decks with four legs anchored to the sea bed enabling the deck to rise and fal with the tide.

Beetles: Pontoons for supporting the Whales.

Whales: Bridge/roadway sections leading from the Spud Pierheads to the beach.

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