Christian Lamb, a young officer in the Women’s Royal Naval Service, played a crucial role in the D-Day landings by meticulously creating maps to guide British landing crafts to Normandy’s beaches, contributing to the eventual downfall of Nazi control in Europe.
During World War II, Christian Lamb, a young officer in the Women’s Royal Naval Service, played a crucial role in the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944. Working from a small office in London, Lamb meticulously created maps to guide the British landing crafts to Normandy’s beaches. These maps included detailed features such as railways, roads, and landmarks to ensure accuracy under enemy fire. Lamb, now 103, described the work as intense and vital for the mission’s success.
Lamb’s efforts were part of a larger operation, known as Operation Overlord, aimed at liberating Nazi-occupied Europe. Her involvement began in 1939 after returning to Britain from France and joining the Wrens. Over five years, her tasks ranged from degaussing ships to plotting convoy movements, including critical convoy routes through the English Channel.
The invasion’s plans also faced high-level diplomatic challenges. A recently discovered unsent letter from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to French leader Charles de Gaulle reveals tense relations. Churchill criticized De Gaulle for not participating in broadcasts and obstructing French liaison officers’ deployment. Despite these issues, De Gaulle eventually conceded to some demands, and the letter remained undelivered. The operation proceeded, contributing to the eventual downfall of Nazi control in Europe.