Operation Astonia

Operation Astonia
Part of The Western Front in the Second World War

Churchill bridgelayers, Shermans and infantry following the assault on Le Havre, 13 September 1944
Date10–12 September 1944
Location49°29′N 00°06′E / 49.483°N 0.100°E / 49.483; 0.100
Result Allied victory
Belligerents
 United Kingdom
 Canada
 Germany
Commanders and leaders
United Kingdom Evelyn Barker
United Kingdom Tom Rennie
Canada Harry Crerar
Nazi Germany Hermann-Eberhard Wildermuth Surrendered
Strength

United Kingdom I Corps

Nazi Germany Fortress cadre unit:

Casualties and losses
388–500
40 armoured vehicles
600 killed
11,300 captured
5,000 French civilians killed [1]

Operation Astonia was the codename for an Allied attack on the German-held Channel port of Le Havre in France, during the Second World War. The city had been declared a Festung (fortress) by Hitler, to be held to the last man. Fought from 10 to 12 September 1944, the Allied objective was to secure the harbour facilities intact, to deliver supplies to the Allied armies in Continental Europe. The Allies refused to let the civilian population be evacuated, despite offers of free passage by the fortress commander.

From 26 August, Royal Navy ships and Royal Air Force aircraft carried out a blockade and an extensive preparatory bombardment of the city, which killed over 2,000 civilians and 19 German troops. The land attack was carried out by British infantry, aided by specialist armoured vehicles from the 79th Armoured Division, including Canadian troops. The German garrison of about 11,000 men surrendered on 12 September; the port was badly damaged but it was re-opened on 9 October.