​​The Canadian liberation of Boulogne-sur-Mer was not only a military victory but also a logistical challenge. The port, one of the most vital on the French coast, had the potential to serve as a key supply hub for the Allies. However, by the time Canadian forces secured the city on 21 September 1944, they found the port heavily damaged.

​Before their surrender, German forces had systematically sabotaged the harbor, rendering it unusable. Docks were destroyed, cranes demolished, and infrastructure blown up. The retreating Wehrmacht sought to ensure that the Allies could not quickly repurpose the facilities for their supply chain. As a result, despite the Canadians taking full control of Boulogne, its strategic value remained temporarily nullified.

​Efforts to restore the port began immediately. Engineers assessed the extent of the destruction, while logistical teams worked to clear debris and rebuild vital infrastructure. One of the most crucial repairs involved restoring the undersea pipeline, which connected Boulogne to fuel supplies from the United Kingdom. The pipeline was finally reactivated on 10 October, providing much-needed fuel for advancing Allied forces.

​The extensive damage meant that Boulogne never became the major supply hub initially envisioned. Although partially operational by mid-October, the destruction had significantly reduced its capacity. By then, Antwerp and other ports were emerging as primary logistical centers, limiting Boulogne’s strategic importance.

​Despite these challenges, the capture and partial restoration of Boulogne-sur-Mer helped sustain the Allied push into Belgium. The city's liberation also removed a major German defensive stronghold on the Channel coast, further securing the region from enemy counterattacks. Though its port never reached full wartime functionality, its reopening marked a step forward in ensuring steady Allied supply lines in the final phase of the war.​