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.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
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.