N O R M A N D Y,    C H E R B O U R G

 

Atlantic Convoy

Normandy, Cherbourg

Southern France

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USS Nevada

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Turrets 3 and 4 of Nevada's
main battery fire a salvo at the Normandy beach. 
The concussion was terrific and
was felt by those men whose battle stations were 
near the big guns.
 

turrets 3 and 4 of Nevada's main battery

The Greatest military operation in history commenced June 6, 1944, off the Normandy beaches when Allied forces bored in for landings on the doorstep of "Fortress Europe." The Nevada was there, adding the weight of her 14-inch shells to the concentration of explosive which blasted open the fortress door.

During the first three days of the Normandy invasion the Nevada expended 876 rounds of main battery and 3,491 rounds of five - inch ammunition. The gun barrels on whichever side was engaged sizzled when spray hit them. The five - inch battery operated at such speed at times that some mounts would have averaged 300 rounds per hour each had the rate of fire been sustained. The Nevada continued in the operation officially for nine more days but the first three days of the invasion embraced her major contribution. 

 

 

 

 

 

A 5 inch 38 mount, showing blistered barrels of the guns almost devoid of paint after peppering 3,491 rounds of ammunition at German shore installations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Empty 5 inch shell cases litter the deck around the twin mount that fired them, following a devastation bombardment of Nazi shore batteries in support of landing operations on the French coast. If there was any doubt at home as to what happened to all the copper, this picture should settle the question.

 

a 5 inch 38 mount

 

The crew long had known the Nevada by the nickname of "The Old Maru." Cherbourg and June 25, 1944 brought her another from press correspondents and Allied observers - "Old Imperishable."
 

empty 5 inch shell cases litter the deck

 

Near misses were so close that officers and men on part of the ship were never sure that another part hadn't been hit. 

The Nevada fired 112 rounds from her main battery and 958 rounds of five inch. That night the Nevada returned to England and, for two days after "her closest call," the crew rated liberty.

"All missions were successful!"

 

                 

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