Operation Tiger Memorial, Torcross, Devon UK
N 50° 16.187 W 003° 39.127
30U E 453526 N 5568830
Ken Small, author of "The Forgotten Dead". arranged the recovery of a sunken Sherman Tank lost during Operation Tiger. It is mounted on a plinth in a specially memorial park at Slapton Sands. Peoples come from the USA to lay wreaths at the memorial.
Waymark Code: WMA2G2
Location: South West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/06/2010
Views: 6
The monument is a Sherman Tank which was lost during the exercise and recovered from the sea. The tank is located in small memorial park at the south end of Slapton Sands on the west side of the A379. Next to the tanks is a plaque which records the following-
Operation Tiger Memorial
Dedicated by the the United States of America in honor of the US Army 1st Engineer Special Brigade, the 4th Infantry Division and the VII Corps Headquarters and the US Navy's 11th Amphibious Force who perish in the waters of Lyme Bay during the early hours of April 28, 1944. They were onboard landing ships, tank(LST) of a convoy participating in Operation Tiger, a training exercise at Slapton Sands, Torcross, England. The exercise was in preparation for the assault on enemy forces at Utah beach, Normandy, France. A suprise encounter German Torpedo boats(Schnellboots) resulted in tragic loss of two of the landing ships and damage two others. The lessons learned in this tragedy added significantly to the success of the Allies in the D-Day landings on Normandy.
May all these soldiers and sailors be remembered not only for their sacrifice but also for their contribution to the Allied cause in World War II.
On the web site is a roll of honour recording the names of US service men who lost their lives in this tragedy.
Operation Tiger was a pre D-Day training exercise in Lyme Bay which was to culminate in landings on Slapton Sands. It was a disaster for the American forces involved. For many years little information about the debacle was publicly known since those involved in the exercise and its aftermath were sworn to secrecy on pain of court martial.
The exercise during 27/28th of APR 1944 was attacked by German E-Boats(Fast motorboats) with disastrous results. The US army lost 749 men, landing craft and tanks.
Property Permission: Public
Access instructions: Car parking nearby.
Website for Waymark: [Web Link]
Location of waymark:
Operation Tiger Memorial
Slapton Sands
Torcross, Devon United Kingdom
Commemoration: The disastrous US army exercise in Lyme Bay involving the loss of 749 men.
Date of Dedication: Not listed
Access times: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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