Dog Boats and motor torpedo boats screened minesweepers, bombardment forces, convoys, and the eastern flank of the assault area. Patrols repeatedly intercepted Elbing-class ships, M-boats, and E-boats, turning threats back even when confusion prevented a clean attack. Damaged boats could return to Newhaven, receive hull repairs, a replacement gun turret, fuel, ammunition, and crew replacements, and sail again that evening. The exhausting first week shows that coastal defense depended on maintenance capacity and continuous presence as much as on individual victories.
Chapter · 2:14:44-2:22:00
Coastal forces keep D-Day sea lanes open
D-Day coastal-force patrols screened the invasion, intercepted enemy surface movements, and maintained a hard nightly barrier near the assault routes.