Slapton Sands Tank
Between Start Point and Dartmouth lies Slapton Sands, a two-mile ribbon of sand with a precarious road running along its top. The village of Torcross is the gateway to the Sands, and in its beachfront car park stands a restored Sherman tank raised from the nearby seabed in 1984.
The Sherman Tank
At first you would think that this is a fitting reminder of the American Forces who were billeted here during the Second World War, but it is much, much more. This Tank commemorates one of the biggest losses of life during the War, and is the unofficial Tombstone for 946 men who lost their lives during exercise 'Tiger', many of whom may still lie buried in unmarked graves.
Memorial Plaque
In the run up to the invasion of Europe tens of thousands of American troops were billeted around this area so that they could undergo training for the imminent sea borne landings in France. The Americans were to assault a beach in France codenamed 'Utah', and Slapton Sands was almost a perfect replica.
Evacuation Area
In order to train under battle conditions live ammunition was to be extensively used including aerial strafing and artillery bombardment. Because of this 3000 people were summarily evacuated from their farms and villages in 1943, and the American Army moved in. Over the weeks that were to follow the Army held live firings and made many mock attacks on the beach until all was ready for the full dress rehearsal.
Damage caused by offshore bombardment
Over 30 thousand troops embarked in their assault craft with all the equipment that they would need to land on the coast of France, including Tanks. In the early hours of April 28th 1944 this huge Armada of assault ships and escort vessels were all milling around out at sea getting in position to start the Exercise when a Flotilla of E boats operating out of Cherbourg under the command of Hans Shirren, got in amongst the allied ships and caused utter chaos.
Landing craft on Slapton beach
With the sea bombardment just starting the escort ships did not realize what was happening and opened fire on each other. In the resulting carnage ships were sunk, and nearly a thousand men lost their lives. The E boats got away scot-free and the next day the beaches were littered with dead bodies with more being brought in on every tide. More casualties were caused that night than actually happened when 'Utah' was stormed for real on D.Day, and the whole thing was such a fiasco that it was all hushed up for years and many of the dead were buried in unmarked graves.
Ken Small
Ken Small who campaigned for years to recover the Tank, uncovered the whole heart reading story whilst researching how the tank came to be lying just off the beach, and produced his best selling book The Forgotten Dead that tells the whole story.
Click icon for details of how to get Ken's book
Ken Small riding the Tank as it is raised from the sea in 1984
Another memorial further along the Sands
Leslie Thomas's The Magic Army is an impressive and often very moving novel, and is a great fictional account of the story as seen through the eyes of the locals and the American troops.
Channel Firing: Tragedy of Exercise Tiger
Another exellent book about the dreadfull loss of life in the run up to D Day.
It is with considerable regret that I have heard that Ken has died of a long illness on 15th March 2004. He is buried at Stokenham Church, just a short distance from his 'Tank'
Flowers on Kens grave and tank. He will be missed.
I was browsing the web to look up any goings on at Slapton for the forthcoming 65th D Day events. It is some years since I was around that area and I have been saddened to read that Ken is no longer on duty at the tank. My story started some years ago when I bought my husband Kens book – The Forgotten Dead-which led to holidays of discovery of The South Hams – a place of peace and beauty- we stayed at the Cove – which had to have the just about the most idyllic setting ever – the walls covered with photos and letters .we happened to be there in early June just as a huge statue of an eagle arrived from USA – so many families there grateful to Ken – at that time Ken lived there alone and we were the only guests – the place being for sale at the time and became fascinated with the story and the character that was Ken. It was clear he felt this was what his life was destined to be about – the uncovering of this story – we were amazed as was Ken at the never ending stream of visitors to the Tank – flowers , garlands and teddies covered it left by maybe visiting relatives – where Ken spent all day every day and never tired of telling the story.
I’m pleased to hear Kens son has stepped into his fathers shoes and I’m sure the story has yet to be told many more times
RIP Ken – you did a good job !
it is sad to hear that ken passed away i used to visit him every time i took passengers to dartmouth he was a very nice man he give me a tape to play when i left dartmouth so when i got to slapton sands they
new all about what happend on the beach yes he was a fine gentleman
So sorry to hear of Kens death.
I found a copy of his book, The Forgotten Dead in the Greek Islands a couple of years ago of all places. Just inside it has the words “best wishes Ken Small Slapton Sands 7th march 2004″ could this be a signed copy of his book?
When i find the time i will visit the Tank and the area of Slapton Sands.
So sad to hear o Kens passing. I borrowed his book from a colleague at work and what an advenur Ken had. From start right through to the very end when the tank was raised and restored. Being only 30 years old when I read the book, I found it quite an interesting read as I have never been interested in anything like this before. This summer I am planning a trip to Slapton Sands. To finally visit the tank and truelly appreciate what Ken had put all his efforts in to.
I was visiting England, from Australia, in 1984 and arrived at Slapton Sands on the day after the Sherman Tank was raised. It was in remarkably good condition and appeared to be complete in all respects. Built like a tank, I suppose. The date of manufacture was engraved on the side. I’ve forgotten what it was but, I’m sure that it was not more than 6 months old. Just in time for the 40th anniversary of D-Day. A tribute to the man who raised it.
I was 11yrs old when the tank was raised, and happened to be on our annual Stoke Fleming holiday with my family……. saddened to hear Ken has passed away.
Hoping to find an audio edition of his book, for my elderly father, who also spent many of his youthfull years in Slapton, and knows the history well.
Bonnie Godin
I was visiting with my mother last night and we were looking at some of my Dad’s books when we came across the book The Forgotten Dead that Ken Small had given to my father when he came to the US to visit. My father was a member of the 70th Tank Batallion and Ken stayed at our house while visiting the US. My father was working in New York City at the time and Ken went sightseeing with him. My father passed away in 2008 but for many years they had exchanged Christmas cards. My mother mentioned that she hadn’t heard from Ken in a few years and thought something might had happened so I just went on the internet to see what I could find. Sadly I have now found out that Ken has passed away. He was an extraordinary man and will not be forgotten.
watching countryfile bbc1 2nd january 2011 part of programme was on Slapton Sands no mention of ken,tank or war but i spotted the memorial took me back to the day i meet ken brought his book of which he signed for me great reading, just looked for my book to read again cannot find so will purchase again,in devon first 2 weeks february fire service rehabilitation centre following a complete knee replacement in october. I will make a point of visiting Slapton again. seeing the memorial only for a few seconds brought a lump to my throat, God bless all thosewho lost their lives ray worboys.
I met Ken Small when I visited Slapton Sands, I had been intrigued by the many stories that I had heard about the fiasco in April 1944.
I found Ken to be a very nice man, and I had a long conversation with him, I purchased his book, and he signed it for me. It is incredible reading, and if you have not read it, I suggest that you do.
That one man, and an english man at that, should dedicate so much of his time and effort to establish the truth for the families of these unfortunate soldiers and sailors, is incredible. It`s not difficult to understand why he is held in such great esteme. May he rest in peace.
The forgotten Dead.
Thanks to Kens efforts,the tradgedy of Slapton sands in the run-up to D-Day will always be remembered,it was truley one of the biggest losses of life,and would otherwise have been kept a secret even now.
Once again thankyou Ken RIP. God Bless.
Just finished the book, very moving. And only discovered that Ken had died when I found this website. I WILL visit Slapton Sands and Torcross and pay my respects to a fine man and the boys whose story he fought so hard to tell. RIP Kenneth Small, a great human being
ken had a son russell what happened to him ??
A gentleman from top to toe, inside and out.
His work should be shown to all who believe, and appreciate true humanity.
May all those who died then and in battle later, like Ken, never be forgotten.
RIP Gentlemen.
I met Ken one day whilst visiting Slapton. I bought his book which he kindly signed. We had such a lovely chat. He was in poor health then, and I wished him good luck. It was such a privilige to meet him. He was a special person. He did a wonderful job. May he rest in peace.
I was back visiting UK from Canada in late 1994 (I came here in 1966) and part of the time was visiting in Devon where my wife’s family comes from. The trip to Slapton was not planned, but I was impressed by his hard work and dedication and very moved by the story I heard from Ken. I have his book of course and it is signed by him on Dec 6 1994. In the years since I came back, I have loaned the book to several Americans with whom I come into contact through my work with the Legion. All are without exception enthralled but also angered by the account of this tragedy and moreso by the manner in which it has been kept under wraps for so long. Thank you Ken. You have earned the respect and gratitude of many thousands of people. RIP.
I am just reading Ken’s book and wondered if there was anything on the web about this extraordinary man and the fantastic work over many years to have the tank raised as a memorial to the unnecessary large loss of life at sea during the war, as well as the research he got involved with. What an achievement and I hope one day to visit the memorial at Slapton Sands to see the memorial for myself !