Lepe Beach and country park has many relics that date back to WW2 and link it with D-Day and the invasion of France in June 1944.
One of many Mulberry Harbour construction and launching sites was constructed at Lepe 6 concrete Phoenix Caissons that were simultaneously built on these platforms from January 1944 so that they could be directly launched into the sea by May 1944. They were towed up Southampton water for finishing.
Mulberry harbours were temporary portable harbours following D-Day, two prefabricated harbours were taken in sections across the English Channel from the UK with the invading army and assembled off Omaha Beach (Mulberry “A”) and Gold Beach (Mulberry “B”).
Many Allied troops waited for D-Day in camps in the New Forest. Some of these embarked from Lepe, and others used embarkation sites to the east or west. The group of camps was known as Marshalling Area B. On the beach, at Lepe, there was room for four Landing Craft Tank (LCT).

Remains of the “Dolphins” part of the pierhead which was used to load landing crafts.

Large Bollards for tying up Landing craft.

Concrete blocks known as “chocolate Blocks ” were used to build a roadway over the beach for vehicles to load onto the landing craft without getting stuck on the soft sand and gravel.

Launch block blocks where the large caissons were winched into the sea.

Large contraction platforms where the caissons were constructed.
Monuments remembering D-Day and Poppy display in support of the Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy appeal.




Thanks for sharing this bit of history. That was such a terrible time in history. I found this very interesting.
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It is peaceful today and hides those terrible times You can only think of the service men who left for France many not to return to their homes.
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So true Andy. So many men do not come home from a war. It is sad.
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Those chocolate blocks are cool and practical! Thanks for sharing this history with us.
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You can find the blocks on several beaches along the south coast
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