A period of poor weather shut down offensive operations and Churchill was impatient to come a second time, unhappy at a battle that seemed to be degenerating into a stalemate.

While at Tac HQ he learnt from his Ultra decrypts of the assassination attempt on Hitler, which at the time opened the possibility of an abrupt end to the war. it lifted his spirits

"They're starting to kill each other now," he quipped to the Canadian soldiers gathered to hear him at one of the prefabricated airfields, " but I suppose that just can't be helped."

He enjoyed himself so much his stay was extended to 4 days, which allowed him to visit troops, engineers and dockworkers, and examine the almost complete Mulberry Harbour (in the greatest secrecy) and see how it all worked.

Churchill was at his most relaxed when hosted by the Harbour Commander Rear Admiral Hickling at the Royal Naval Headquarters on shore, with an uninterupted view of the harbour. "There's one thing about the Royal Navy" Churchill said, "they always travel first class!"

He returned the hospitality by inviting the Naval officers to a well-oiled dinner party each evening on board HMS Enterprise.

He also visited the shattered city of Caen, recently liberated, and the Americans presented a vast unfinished underground V1 factory outside Cherbourg. Air Marshal Broadhurst took him up over the British positions in his own captured German Storch for a unique (and hazardous) view of the battlefield. All guaranteed "to please the old chap". Churchill returned to England reassured, and the next day the breakout in the US sector was planned....

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