Views of wales Recalling the Marines in their finest hour
IT was very interesting to read in your recent feature On This Day regarding the commissioning of the Pipeline Under the Sea (PLUTO) during the liberation of Europe.
47 (Royal Marines) Commando were selected to undertake the formidable task of liberating the small, Normandy fishing port of Port en Bessin in order to establish the initial delivery point and so ensuring that the vital supply of petrol could be delivered to British and Allied troops by way of PLUTO to remain operational and fully functional in the operation to liberate Europe from Nazi tyranny.
The Commando suffered severe losses of men and equipment on landing at Jig Green Sector of Gold Beach east of the town of Le Hamel. Notwithstanding, the unit reformed and advanced west with a 12-mile forced march through enemyheld territory and then attacked substantial enemy fortifications, where after heavy fighting on the high features above Port en Bessin to the east and west it became one of the first towns in France to be fully liberated. On the harbour-side of Port en Bessin stands the Bar Le 47eme Brasserie.
On June 9 PLUTO arrived in the form of an army port company and eventually fuel started to flow.
After the liberation of the port city of Cherbourg PLUTO went upmarket.
General Sir Brian Horrocks, commander of the British 30th Corps in Normandy, wrote of 47 Royal Marine Commando’s capture of Port-en-Bessin: “It is doubtful whether, in their long, distinguished history, the Royal Marines have ever achieved anything finer.”
In the well-tended British War Cemetery at Bayeux fallen Welsh RM Commandos, along with many of their comrades, rest.