Photographing a World War Two D-Day relic

The preparations for the D-Day invasion from the English coast involved building a floating harbour to tow all the way to Normandy. This enabled the allies to get all their equipment off the crafts and onto the beaches. This impressive set of structures were built along the south coast of England and submerged in the sea to keep them secret, ready for after D-Day on June 6th 1944. Part of the harbour broke off here, close to Bognor Regis on the south coast of England, and remains in the same place today. Only visible at low tide, I visit Aldwick to photograph this amazing piece of history.
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[@bernardjohnwright]

Great video and a good reminder of the past and something every school should show.

[@richarddown3594]

Wonderful childhood memories for me. I spent the first twenty years of my life in Bognor Regis and we used to play here around ‘The Wreck’. It wasn’t until later that we came to learn about the Mulberry harbour and the various fragments, this one at Aldwick, another on the beach at Pagham which has since disappeared under the shingle and the largest, about a mile off the coast. What is remarkable is the way the beach has changed . I was last here in 1995 taking photos and much more was visible, there was hardly any shingle at all.

[@ChrisOrange]

Thanks for the comment Richard - I’m amazed at how many remnants of WW2 are still around and so accessible for us.

[@keithpinn152]

Hi Chris: As the American TV anchor so aptly said, there is no wonder why this is considered "The Greatest Generation". I have been very fortunate to spend some time on the Normandy coast travelling from Juno Beach down to Omah and Utah beaches. The artefacts that are still visible are so moving indeed. The images that you captured in this video are so important. Keep up the great work on this project. Keep well. . . Cheers, Keith (Canada)

[@ChrisOrange]

Thanks so much Keith! The more I dig into this, the more I’m drawn in to all that generation achieved and sacrificed for us. It’s quite incredible!

[@the_rat_run]

Brilliant presentation, Chris - and some fabulous photos to go with it.

[@ChrisOrange]

Glad you enjoyed it - thanks!

[@samfotoz]

Thank you for the information Chris, I had lived in Bognor Regis for 18 years, and I never knew of it's existence. It wasn't until recently, I saw the remains of another harbour near to Hayling Ferry.

[@ChrisOrange]

Wow, I guess many people must walk by it and not realise what it is.

[@dennismurray703]

Some terrific images, and a really thoughtful commentary to go with video.

[@ChrisOrange]

Thanks so much!

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

I have never been but i would like to visit to get my own image for history

[@davidfromdownunder]

Really enjoying your WW2 ruins / relics series Chris, you give a different 'perspective' I enjoy hearing your thoughts and feelings about those that sacrificed their lives to give us those that live today our freedoms.
We just had Anzac Day here in Australia last Thursday where Australians and New Zealanders honour the fallen across not only the landing at Gallipoli in Turkey in the great war but also to ALL that have battled, fought, were injured and died for our country and it's allies abroad to liberate freedoms in which were taken.
You've inspired me yet again to take on a project here in own my back yard of Queensland as we have a few aged WW2 defensive structures dotted up and down along our coastline (Moreton Island, Bribie Island, Magnetic Island) just to name a few.
Are you planning to have your WW2 series displayed in an exhibition or produce a book ? I am thinking of approaching my local council to see if they can help with an exhibition next year for 2025 Anzac Week once I have completed my own project.
Again thanks for the inspiration, God bless you Chris 🙏

[@ChrisOrange]

Thanks! I’m actually really enjoying the whole WW2 series - really has been great to spend time remembering my grandparents. I’m off to Dunkirk soon to make a film where my Granddad was stranded- will be quite emotional I think. Not sure about an exhibition, if I get enough shots that I’m happy with I guess I could consider it.
Your idea of approaching the council is a good one. Looking forward to seeing those pics on insta!

[@trevorsneath4665]

Really fascinating information Chris. Weird to think that this is there because it broke off, yet the rest did the job. It's a very cool series your doing mate.

[@ChrisOrange]

Thanks! I wonder why it broke off too - I think they’re a few bits of the harbour around on various beaches.

[@gashead2]

Love the history surrounding this, we are going to the World War One battle fields in September which will be both moving and inspirational. My grandad fought at the Battle of the Somme at 15 years of age and survived. He died before I was old enough to get to know him properly but his legacy lives on.

[@ChrisOrange]

Oh wow, that will be a very moving trip for you. I’m very moved by the whole experience, and considering a trip to Dunkirk to see where my granddad was stranded.

[@CaryMarshall]

⁠@chrisorange yes it will be moving. We plan to do the World War battlefields next time. My wifes dad was at Arnhem and captured there by the Germans, should be very interesting. I recently bought an XT1 to see if I like the Fuji system, I have to say I am well impressed. Is it worth me buying good lenses or should I wait until I can afford a higher megapixel version to get the best out of them?

[@57northphoto32]

Nice images Chris setup perfectly with the history. Ironically we had a temporary floating pontoon dock at work while we were waiting for a permanent structure to be built, we called it “Mulberry”

[@ChrisOrange]

Amazing - I had never even heard of it till I found this little piece of it.

[@KkatsPhotos]

Would love to know what camera and lens and settings you used for the stills...thanks!

[@jackdarren9210]

Greetings from Alabama USA. Nice shots and cool subject.

[@ChrisOrange]

Thank you!!

[@ThroughJermainesLens]

beautiful, but also such a terrible history! Wish we as humans learned our lesson, but it seems we haven't learned much!

[@ChrisOrange]

Yep, so true - sadly!