The extraordinary archive of one of the designers of the Mulberry Harbours that enabled the allied invasion of France in World War Two have now been seen for the first time after selling for an eye-watering £35,000.
Colonel Vassal Charles Steer-Webster OBE helped create the artificial harbours that were used to land thousands of troops, military vehicles and supplies, and greatly aided Winston Churchill in the nation’s hour of need.
The Mulberry Harbours were made up of six miles of steel roadways floating on concrete pontoons and could carry tanks
British ambulances pictured using one of the piers at Arromanches off the Normandy coast during the D-Day operation
A view of western arm of finished breakwater at Arromanches, Normandy, show intricacies of the work in crafting the harbour
The construction was built in the dry docks on The Thames and Clyde and pulled across the channel and into place by tugs
Pioneering temporary portable harbours needed to be created to help with the allied invasion of France in World War two
A segment of what remains of Mulberry today is regularly observed by visitors on the French coastline
A vast collection of images, architects plans and personal documents have come to light after the slice of national treasure sparked bedlam in the auctions.
Steer-Webster worked closely with Britain’s most famous prime minster, and had Churchill’s ear on a daily basis as the two gentlemen corresponded regarding the harbours and the rapidly developing plans to assist in the allied invasion and push back Adolf Hitler’s German forces.
He was one of the key engineers behind the pre-fabricated structures and was in constant contact with Churchill over their development ahead of D-Day, with letters regularly changing hands.
Steer-Webster oversaw the incredible design of Mulberry Harbour B at Arromanches in Normandy that supplied British and Canadian troops in 1944, which proved to be a remarkable feat of engineering for the ages.
A signed letter of thanks from Churchill for his work formed part of Col Steer-Webster’s personal collection, along with his medals of decorated service that included his Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Some 150 photos showing Mulberry B’s construction at Normandy was also in the archive, leaving no stone unturned and showing the full process, from early conception to re-drafted designs and the initial building process.
The items were sold by Col Steer-Webster’s nephew with Mitchells Auctioneers, of Cockermouth, Cumbria, attracting large crowds and a feverish atmosphere.
A bidding war soon erupted, dwarfing the pre-sale estimate of £15,000. The buyer paid a hammer price of £28,000, with extra fees taking the final figure to £35,400.
Steer-Webster was born in York in 1897 and trained as a motor mechanic before enlisting at the outset of World War One.
The multi-purpose harbours allowed the armed forces to both clear casualties and bring in additional personnel
Another image details how workers constructed the concrete mattresses to set the foundations of the temporary harbour
Insight: Images detail all aspects of the iconic harbours, including how female workers created the concrete mattresses
He served as a private in the 13th Battalion, London Regiment, but was wounded in action and declared ‘no longer fit physically for war service’ in April 1916.
Mark Wise, specialist at Mitchells Auctioneers, gave further insight into the rare sale: ‘The archive was owned by Colonel Steer Webster’s nephew who is elderly and did not have anyone to whom he wished to leave it.
‘He also was very strongly of the mind that the archive should be offered in its entirety rather than being split up.
Aerial view of Mulberry harbour ‘B’ at Arromanches gives a vivid look into the scale of the whole operation from the skies
Steer-Webster OBE (middle) pictured alongside colleagues in the war office as Britain was in the throes of global conflict
The temporary harbours became an integral part of the British plan, and were a hive of activity throughout D-Day
‘The correspondence from Churchill reveals how important his role was in the design and construction of the Mulberry Harbours.’
Colonel Vassal Charles Steer-Webster masterminded the operation and briefed Winston Churchill on a daily basis
Churchill’s letter, which was sent with a signed photo on VE Day 1945, read: ‘Herewith… an autographed photograph of myself as a gesture of thanks to you for helping me to achieve it by your dedication to Mulberry.’
In June 2012 original blueprints for the harbours were placed into the auction rooms, in which it was noted how the concept and creation of Mulberry was labelled poetically as ‘an idea of simple genius’ by Albert Speer, the German’s minister of armaments.
A Bonhams spokesman said: ‘These documents contain the origins of the simple but devastatingly effective idea which transformed the Allied invasion of Europe in 1944.
‘It took over two years to turn the concept first into plans and then into prototypes which, under conditions of great secrecy, could be rigorously tested.
‘This illustrates the huge logistic problem which the Mulberry harbours were designed to address and makes the achievement all the more remarkable.
‘This set of plans – the designer’s own – are a vital part of the story and a key element in what Albert Speer, the German’s minister of armaments – called ‘an idea of simple genius’.’
Living history: Present day images show the ghostly remains of the foundations of Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches
The D-Day plans and triumphant execution go down as one of the brightest days in British military history
Among the collection a hospital ship clearing casualties at a LST Spud Pierhead Assembly Arromanches
A British tank puts the harbour’s concrete mattresses in use and shows the ingenuity of design in the Mulberry Harbours