On 24 June, during the preliminary bombardment, the minesweeping force of which "Thunder" was a member, arrived off Point Barfleur in mid-afternoon. German shore-based gunfire began to splash down around the minesweepers after an hour, leading the escorting United States Navy destroyers to deploy a smokescreen and order the minesweepers to cut sweeps and retire. The following day during the assault, the minesweepers were deployed again. Shore-based gunfire began raining down on the minesweepers again. "Thunder" was hit by shrapnel from a near miss and the destroyers were once again forced to lay a smokescreen.