Edited by Destroyer History Foundation from NARA photo 88-199-ES.
“Under the Enemy’s Nose” by Dwight Shepler #145, 1944, watercolor. Canadian 31st Mine Sweeper Flotilla, supported by DesRon 18 destroyers Emmons and Doyle, cleared a bombardment support lane to the Normandy coast during the night before H-Hour. The opening of the attack on Pointe-du-Hoc broke the tense silence in the diffused moonlight, while pathfinders dropped their red and green markers. Throughout these interminable hours of sweeping they expected all hell to break loose, but it never did.