VE75
Riviera Heritage
Was Brixham the Town that Saved Europe?
The price of liberating Europe from Nazi tyranny was high and Brixham was at the forefront. John Brennan of Brixham Future tells us more.
T
he Breakwater Beach slipway was constructed to embark forces from the 4th American Division for the Invasion of Europe on D-Day, 6th June 1944. On the road above are the Churchill Memorial Gardens, upon which stood houses demolished to create a turning space for Sherman tanks to descend below. Driven from the European mainland in 1940 and after four years of protracted war, the Allies now joined by American forces were in a position to launch `Operation Overlord` against Hitler`s Nazi `Fortress Europe`. The intention was to land substantial Allied forces upon the French coastline in Normandy on five separate beaches codenamed Sword, Gold, Juno, Omaha and Utah. The first three beaches were mainly British and Canadian forces and the last 2 beaches were mainly American forces. All the five bridgeheads would be linked up before driving inland to liberate Europe. 160,000 Allied troops took part in D-Day led by 83,000 British and Canadian troops, 73,000 United States troops and 195,000 Merchant and Allied Navy`s sailors in 5,000 ships. The first Allied troops parachuted into France after midnight on the 6th June. The French resistance attacked all Nazi communications with the aim of disrupting, delaying and destroying their response in
the vital first vital 24 hours as the invasion force came ashore across a 50 mile front. The easterly movement of the tide in the Channel determined that the priority of the Allied landings would be Utah Beach at 630am. At low water, Utah Beach sloped gently up for four hundred yards to sand dunes with a concrete wall, obstacles and mines. Along the dunes were also 28 powerful artillery batteries, interspersed with concrete pillboxes and enemy emplacements. That day an 18-knot breeze whipped the current into a difficult fourfoot sea for landing craft. It was vital that the Utah Beach was secure and heavy losses were anticipated. Following a massive air and sea bombardment, an accidental error in the landing site brought the assault troops in at a weak spot in the Nazi defences. In the first assault wave 28 Sherman tanks came ashore bringing their firepower to bear on a startled unprepared enemy. The bombardments, low morale of the defenders, usage of flame-throwers and machine-gunfire against enemy strong points, resulted in quick captures. The American losses were 137 men killed and 60 men missing in action, presumed dead. These losses were less than those incurred on the rehearsal for the assault on `Exercise Tiger` and far lower than incurred on others in the chain beaches.
VE Day 75th Anniversary -The Bay ’s Commemorations Please check all dates and events on the websites below as they may well have been changed or cancelled since we went to press. Is this our exit point from lockdown or do we ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ self-isolating? In Brixham, over 40 commemorative events are planned between 8 and 10 May and they will reflect life in Brixham in the 1940s. Back to the 40s Once More is a Brixham Future Project. brixhamfuture.co.uk In Paignton’s Palace Avenue Gardens, a VE Day 75 englishrivieramagazine.co.uk
Party in the Park is planned on Friday 8 May from 11am to 6pm, as the Bay did in 1945. Facebook.com/The Royal British Legion - Paignton Branch In Torquay a 75th Anniversary Service is planned at Beacon Quay from 10.30am-12.15pm with The Riviera Concert Brass and a march past with ex-service and serving military personnel due to take part. Rotary in Torbay celebrates on Saturday 9 May at the RICC with an evening of entertainment. April/May 2020 | 33
