U.S. pontoon ferry practices for landings in France. U.S.

U.S. pontoon ferry practices for landings in France. U.S. pontoonferries, like this one making a test cruise protected by a barrage balloon hovering overhead, played an important part during the Allied landings along the Normandy coast in northern France on June 6, 1944. Self-propelled by two outboard motors, the ferries took on men, heavy vehicles and supplies from bigger ships anchored off the French coast, and transported them to shore. One unloaded, the ferries were secured to the shore and served as docks at which other vessels could unload. The ferries were part of the fleet which effected the landings in Western Europe.