On 6th June 1944 began the huge Allied invasion of the Normandy coast of France, known as the D-Day landings.
The strategic planning for such an ambitious attack was carried out in extreme secrecy. It is rumoured that General Eisenhower and Churchill met here in Teignmouth to plan the invasion, but this has not been verified.
The Morgan Giles boatyard was involved throughout the war. The 150 plus workforce, including 20 women, were engaged in fulfilling Admiralty contracts. The firm built motor torpedo boats (MTBs), assault landing craft and fast attack launches. Well over 100 craft in total were produced for the Admiralty.
MTB 240 Morgan Giles photo
The British forces were in training for the difficult attacks ahead, climbing the local cliffs, trying out experimental vessels and weaponry in the harbour and the bay.
Our Allies were here too. A flotilla of Free French MTBs, based at Kingswear on the River Dart, two being Morgan Giles built, were repaired by the yard. In 1944, the Americans arrived: a company of the US Navy’s 28th Construction Battalion (the Seabees) were based in Teignmouth. They took over part of the Morgan Giles yard to repair and service their landing craft.
Morgan Giles Shipyard
The town was inundated with Allied servicemen on the run-up to D-Day, as the large seafront buildings had been commandeered by both American and British forces. The river was full of landing craft and the promenade with equipment, so residents knew that something was going to happen soon, though they did not know the time and place.
Suddenly, overnight, the troops and equipment began to move out, the first stage of the liberation of France. The people of Teignmouth and Shaldon can be proud of their contribution.
