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The Southampton Eastern Docks and Town Quay Embarkation points were some of many embarkation points in the areas around Portsmouth, Gosport and Southampton that facilitated the loading of men and vehicles taking part in Operation Neptune and Operation Overlord in June 1944.
Constructed by Royal Engineers, the embarkation points needed to be firm enough to take the weight of Allied tanks, such as Shermans and Churchills. Vehicles, including armour, were loaded on to Landing Ship Tanks (LST) and Landing Craft Tanks (LCT) at this specific location.
The Southampton Eastern Docks had the capacity for the loading and unloading of up to five Personnel Ships, two Hospital Carriers, six MT ships, three MT Coasters, two Train Ferries and Store Coasters. This area is now a working dockyard and not accessible to the public.
Southampton’s Town Quay was built in three sections to allow two LSTs to berth at point S1, two LSTs to berth at point S2, and one LST and two LCTs to berth at point S3. These locations are on Town Quay, close to the Red Funnel Ferries Terminal. They can be viewed from Mayflower Park Quayside.
The embarkation points were not just intended for the movement of men and equipment to Normandy. Wounded men from Normandy, as well as prisoners of war fighting for the German Army, were also received there.
Ocean Road, Eastern Docks, SO14 3GF