Extract of the orders issued detailing the manner in which First British Corps were to coordinate with the supporting Royal Navy ships anchored of the French coast during 'Operation Astonia', the action to capture the fortress town of Le Harve.
From FOBAA (Flag Officer British Assault Area)
To ANCXF (Allied Naval Commander
Expeditionary Force)
August 1944
HAVRE
12. Army
intention is to attack from the North East by land not less than two days after
the attack on Dieppe.
13. The
object of the bombarding forces will be to engage strong points and batteries
holding up the advance of the Army as far as 10,000 yards inland (This is the
line of static defences).
14. ROBERTS would be
anchored in a position already swept to the NE of Ouistreham.
15. WARSPITE and MALAYA would
be anchored in a position to the South of the Seine bank.
16. The general plan is
being made out by the First Canadian Army.
17. Detailed plan of
attack on Dieppe will be made by Second Canadian Corps.
18. Detailed plan of
attack on Havre will be made by First British Corps.
19. It is proposed that
the general planning should be carried out with the First Canadian Army by
FOBAA and detailed Fire Plans by FOBAA with the appropriate Corps.
20. It is presumed that
operational orders for the force would be issued by ANCXF based on information
as to Army plan to be supplied by FOBAA. An officer could be sent to the briefing
as required.
21. Control arrangements
to be exercised by my staff through the Mobile Bombardment Control Unit, which
will operate close to and in conjunction with the appropriate Corps HQ.
22. Presumably I will be
responsible for this force when off the French Coast. I would prefer to conduct
the operation from one of the bombarding ships.
23. The Havre operation
would be conducted from my HQ ashore.
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