2 June 1944

2 June 1944

The morning report recorded bomb damage in Le Havre to barracks and railway installations; one German serviceman and four French civilians were injured. Enemy air activity extended along the coast, including Ault, Rouen and the Cherbourg area. Coastal posts at Cap de la Hève and Dieppe reported sea targets and opened fire; the targets disappeared or altered course after the salvos. Further detonations and bombing were reported along the Seine–Somme and Normandy sectors.

Aircraft appeared over St Peter Port and north of Guernsey. Island anti-aircraft defences engaged them and submitted one destruction claim.

At about 11:45–12:20 Boulogne harbour was heavily attacked. The diary recorded damage and casualties among harbour craft and installations, including the S-boat bunker area and a floating crane. Bombing also struck the Wimille strongpoint and the headquarters area of the 2nd Security Division; vehicles and fuel burned and personnel losses were reported.

Repeated attacks were made on coastal artillery, radar and command positions at Friedrich August, St Valery, Dieppe, Cap de la Hève, Cap d’Antifer, Jobourg, Marcouf, La Pernelle and elsewhere along the Channel coast. The German batteries and anti-aircraft units reported several aircraft-destruction claims. Batterie Todt/Gris-Nez, Longues and other coastal positions were also attacked during the day.

The command assessment noted a developing pattern: the enemy was now systematically attacking coastal command posts, communications and radar installations, rather than only ports and transport targets.

Roll 2174, PG 38468, scans 0290–0292.