Then&Now,D-Day,Brixham Hards

Brixham Hards, South Devon, England, UK

The invasion of France in 1944 was a huge task, and the biggest armada of ships ever collected for a military invasion. We will never see such a thing again, which is a huge relief I’m sure you will agree !

All along the Southern coast of England there are all sizes of ports and harbours. To mount such an invasion meant embarking thousands of troops into landing craft of all sizes and transporting them to Normandy, or as our American cousins call it, the far shore.

The D-Day landings in Normandy consited of five main landing beaches. The British landed on Sword and Gold beaches in the East, the Canadians at Juno in the middle and the Americans landed at Utah and Omaha beaches in the West. So it made good logistical sense for the Americans to use the ports and harbours in the South West of England in the counties of Cornwall and Devon. Such towns as Falmouth, Weymouth, Torquay, and Brixham were all places filled with landing craft and the GI’s with all their equipment. 

There’s one famous photo featured in most books of the D-Day landings of some US Army vehicles driving down to the hards to embark onto the landing craft. We wanted to find this location and see if anything is still left. Success ! Below are comparable photos along with a few additional photos of the road down and the hard itself. Doesn’t seem to have changed much, does it ? Just imagine how these GI’s were feeling as they drove down this road. Oh, I forgot to mention where it was… Brixham !

Brixham Hard June 1944

Brixham Hard June 1944

Brixham Hard, July 2010

Brixham Hard, July 2010

Brixham Hard, July 2010, the road down

Brixham Hard, July 2010, the road down

Brixham Hard, July 2010, landing craft long departed

Brixham Hard, July 2010, landing craft long departed

Random Images From Collection
Eastern Front Collection 614
Eastern Front Collection 614
Scammell Explorer 10Ton Recovery Tractor (ASJ 355)(Copyright ERF Mania)
Scammell Explorer 10Ton Recovery Tr
Eastern Front Collection 1423
Eastern Front Collection 1423
US 12 Corps
US 12 Corps
Humber 1Ton Wireless (DSU 866)
Humber 1Ton Wireless (DSU 866)
Crossley Fire Tender (RAF Cosford Museum)2
Crossley Fire Tender (RAF Cosford M
Normandy 1944 Collection 295
Normandy 1944 Collection 295
Willys MB Jeep (JAS 306)
Willys MB Jeep (JAS 306)
Blackhawk UH-60 Utility Helicopter 13
Blackhawk UH-60 Utility Helicopter
Normandy 1944 Collection 138
Normandy 1944 Collection 138
Bedford QLD 3Ton GS (2463 RU)
Bedford QLD 3Ton GS (2463 RU)
Normandy 1944 Collection 249
Normandy 1944 Collection 249
Eastern Front Collection 1113
Eastern Front Collection 1113
Leyland Daf 8x8 Drops (77 KH 88)
Leyland Daf 8x8 Drops (77 KH 88)
Eastern Front Collection 1028
Eastern Front Collection 1028
AEC 0853 Matador Conversion (USJ 639)(Copyright ERF Mania)
AEC 0853 Matador Conversion (USJ 63
Blackhawk UH-60 Utility Helicopter 9
Blackhawk UH-60 Utility Helicopter
Leyland Daf 8x8 Drops (88 KH 22)(Copyright of Colin Martin)
Leyland Daf 8x8 Drops (88 KH 22)(Co
AEC 0853 Matador (1479 BH)
AEC 0853 Matador (1479 BH)
M4A1 Sherman with Rocket Launcher (2)
M4A1 Sherman with Rocket Launcher (