Located on the north bank of the River Seine, the port city of Le Havre was a world class harbor facility before the war. After the war it was possibly the most severely damaged city in France.
The Allies' determination to liberate Le Havre to open up a necessary supply artery resulted in heavy bombing. Between 130 to 150 air raids were launched against the German held city and the coveted harbor facilities.
Le Havre fell to the Allies on September 12, 1944. Before evacuating, the Germans destroyed all of the port facilities, including 17 kilometers of quaysides. The final war toll in Le Havre was 5,000 people killed, 12,500 buildings destroyed, and 80,000 people left homeless.
