How the Grimsby area - including Immingham - played vital part in D-Day campaign to liberate Europe

 

How the Grimsby Evening Telegraph reported the momentous events on the front page of its edition of  June 6, 1944

On June 6, 1944, approximately 156,000 Allied soldiers landed on the shores of Normandy to open the campaign to liberate German-occupied north-east Europe. In a thoroughly-researched press release, North East Lincolnshire Council has pieced together information (below) revealing the contribution that was made by local people to this momentous day in history.

From using former Grimsby fishing vessels to personnel from RAF Waltham, the borough played a major role in the events that unfolded on D-Day. 

The trawler, Grimsby Town, was repurposed as an escort vessel on the day of the landings after having been employed  as an anti-submarine vessel earlier in  the war.

In total, 12 ships from Grimsby and Immingham took part in the Allied invasion. 

Loaded with food, medical supplies, ammunition and other materials, the ships sailed to Normandy to help maintain the Allied foothold. 

The ports also received wounded soldiers and prisoners of war from the battlefields following the invasion.

 A number of local bases, including Holton-Le-Clay and Laceby, were used to help train and accommodate soldiers in preparation for the landings. 

Many local aerodromes also played a part in the invasion of Normandy, including Waltham and North Killingholme. 

Indeed, a Lancaster from 550 Squadron at North Killingholme, Bad Penny II, is credited with dropping the first stick of bombs on the Normandy beaches.

Grimsby’s Corporation Bridge was used to prepare some troops for the D-Day landings. 

The bridge was similar in design to the one that spanned the Caen Canal in Normandy which the Allies intended to capture.

The capture of the bridge was vital to the success of D-Day, as its possession would prevent German armoured units attacking the eastern flank of the Allied forces landing at Sword Beach.

The operation proved to be a triumph of planning, and both the bridge over the Caen Canal (subsequently known as Pegasus Bridge) and the nearby bridge over the River Orne were captured.

One of the men who helped to defend Pegasus Bridge from German counter attacks was Frederick Henry Hanslip of the Royal Engineers. He was born in the East Marsh area of Grimsby.

In commemoration of what happened 80 years ago, a moment of reflection will take place on the steps of Grimsby Town Hall at 10:00 am on the morning of Thursday  June 6.

North East Lincolnshire's Mayor, Cllr Steve Beasant, will be hosting a civic service of commemoration at the Church of St Mary on the Sea on Heneage Road, Grimsby. 

The service will be starting at 6pm and the Vice Lord Lieutenant, Andrew Clarke, and the Assistant Naval Regional Commander, Lt Jon Aylett, will also be in attendance.  

Members of the public are more than welcome to attend the service and are asked to be seated by 5:50 pm.

There will also be a display of work from the children of St Mary’s School on display within the church.

In Cleethorpes, the Armed Forces Events Management Team will be  lighting a beacon at 9.15pm on June 6  June at The Knoll, Cleethorpes.