Monument record MDO46353 - Second World War Embarkation Hard Site R, Portland

Two Second World War embarkation hards at Portland, known as sites R and R2. They were built by the Admiralty in 1942 under the control of Portsmouth Command in preparation for D-Day. Each was a 4-berth hard for landing craft transporting troops (LCT hards). Hards consisted of a concrete loading ramp equipped with steel framed mooring points. Embarkation hard sites were built with associated access roads, approach roads, transit areas and accommodation and ancillary buildings. These embarkation hards were used by the United States Forces on their journey to Normandy on D-Day. The Defence of Britain survey reported the structures as being in fair condition. These were part of a series of 22 embarkation hard sites under Portsmouth Command.

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. <1-3>

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. <4>

<1> Council for British Archaeology, 1995, Defence of Britain Project, 2570 (Digital archive). SWX5.

<2> Council for British Archaeology, 2003, Defence of Britain Project Database, 2570 (Machine readable data file). SDO128.

<3> Council for British Archaeology, 2006, Defence of Britain Project Archive DEB01, 2570 (Excavation archive). SDO17227.

<4> Dobinson, C S, 1996, Twentieth Century Fortifications in England - Operation Overlord: embarkation works for the invasion of occupied Europe, 1942-44, 6, 9, 11. 14, 16, 33 (Monograph). SWX4523.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1413240 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 30 2024 11:02AM