The barge totals discussed range from about 2,200 to 2,600, with some accounts reaching 3,000. The highest figure is questioned because removing that many vessels would place severe strain on canal traffic and supplies. These barges were already carrying goods for commercial users. Their removal mattered particularly in a period when road infrastructure offered less capacity than it does today. Keeping the invasion fleet assembled therefore imposed a continuing logistical cost.
Notable Point · 27:50-29:02
Requisitioning barges disrupted inland transport
Gathering thousands of invasion barges removed working freight vessels from inland waterways and imposed a continuing cost.