A Glint Saves Lives: Off the Normandy Beaches

Jim Dulaney served in the merchant navy during the WW2. His ship was off one the beaches (I think it was one the american ones) and they could see there was fierce fighting on shore.
It was at this point Jim saw a glint from a spotters field glasses high in a church tower overlooking the beach. He went straight up to the bridge of his ship and reported his sighting to his captain. His captain radioed to a battleship a little further out. They could then see that battleship turn its big guns towards the shore. It was then that it dawned on them it was going to fire right over their heads. Boom and all the crockery on Jim's ship shattered as the shells screamed overhead. The church tower was demolished and the German field guns lost their sighter,which in turn probably saved many lives and helped towards the successful outcome on the beach.
Jim however suffered the scorn of the ships crew as there were no cups left, except ones with half a handle and enough left to get about inch of tea into.
I find these small incidents absolutly fasinating, unfortunatly Jim died some 10 years ago but what he and all the others did on June 6th 1944 is not forgotten and their memory lives on
With many thanks

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