More information : The site of a World War II embarkation hard. Special concrete loading ramps nicknamed hards had been constructed along river banks, beaches and inlets to enable organised embarkation onto various types of landing craft to take place, irrespective of tides. This embarkation hard was used by the United States Forces on their journey to Normandy on D-Day. The hard was probably constructed between 1943 and 1944 and by the time of the Defence of Britain survey the structure was classed to be in a fair condition. It is located on the Isle of Portland. (1)
Two Second World War embarkation hards located at Portland (SY 688 744). They were 4-berth hards built in 1942 for landing craft transporting troops (LCT). They were controlled by Portsmouth Command. Further embarkation hards for Portsmouth Command were located at Bishopstone (TV 467 997) and Tide Mills (TQ 459 001) in Seaford, four hards at Stokes Bay in Gosport (three at SZ 589 988, one at SZ 599 979), Newhaven (TQ 448 006), Hamworthy (SY 986 905), Stanswood Bay (SZ 465 988), Lepe (447 986), and three at Southampton (SU 415 112, SU 417 110 and SU 419 109). A further three sites at Gosport and two sites at Shoreham have not been traced.
Embarkation hards were built by the Admiralty as part of Operation Overlord to load landing vessels in preparation for D-Day and the invasion of occupied Europe. A total of 68 individual hards were constructed between 1942 and 1944 across the southern coast of England in every county between Suffolk and Cornwall.
There were two types of embarkation hards: LCT hards for landing crafts for troops and LST hards for landing ships carrying tanks. A standard hard consisted of a rectangular concrete apron that sloped down into the water, which was equipped with steel framed mooring points (known as dolphins) to moor the vessels during loading. Hard sites included access roads to link the hards to public highways, approach roads to accommodate the concentrated heavy traffic and transit areas for marshalling troops, vehicles and equipment. Accommodation and ancillary buildings at hard sites would include offices for embarkation staff; a central control room; a workshop for maintenance crew; stores; a watch hut and a latrine. Sites were also fitted with fuel, lighting and utilities. (2) |