The battle of Cherbourg

Ten days after the landing, the situation of the German forces in the Cotentin became critical : the Cotentin peninsula is about to be cut in half by the Allies.

Facing the threat of a trap, Hitler allows general von Schlieben to withdraw to the north of the Cotentin on June 17 to ensure the defense of Cherbourg and all the northern part of the peninsula.

On the night of June 17-18, the 9th division reached the west coast, at Barneville. This time the peninsula is cut in half, from Quinéville to Barneville. 30 000 Germans are now trapped there.

While on June 19 the defences of Montebourg are removed, Valognes is occupied in the evening by the 79th Infantry Division. Cherbourg’s outer defences were reached by the 4th, 9th and 79th american divisions. Appointed directly by Hitler commander of the fortress of Cherbourg Von Schlieben rejected on June 22 the ultimatum of general Collins who asked him for surrender. Following the order of the Führer, he intends to defend the port and the city to the last man.

The first aerial bombardments were then carried out on the fortified points of the port : nearly 1 000 planes for more than 80 minutes bombarded the defences of the city. The 3 US divisions then plunged into the breaches and destroyed the first German defensive curtain in front of Cherbourg.

For their part, the Germans undertook the destruction of the city’s port facilities : the ferry terminal was blown up on the night of 23 to 24 June. From the 24 to the 26 the American thrust only intensifies : the Fort of the Roule which dominates the city is reached on the 24 the evening before falling the next day after intense fighting and violent naval artillery fire. Tourlaville and Equeurdreville fall in turn.

On June 26, the Americans, guided by the population, entered Cherbourg. They captured von Schlieben and admiral Hennecke as well as 800 German soldiers.

The capture of Cherbourg cost the 7th American Corps 3 000 dead, 3 000 missing and 13 500 wounded. At the end of the Battle of the Cotentin with the last redditions on July 1, in Cap de La Hague, the Germans left 11 000 dead and 39 000 prisoners.

Cherbourg then became the first French port liberated by the Americans. On 16 July, the first large ships could dock.