Destroyed railway engine and German guns at Vire railway station, Normandy, 1944

Photograph by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two, North West Europe, 1944.

In the weeks leading up to the Normandy landings the Allies attacked the French railway network and rolling stock in order to restrict the movement of German troops and equipment to the invasion areas. After D-Day, the air-attacks continued. The Allies enjoyed almost complete air superiority over northern France.

From an album of 211 photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).