Adverts and affiliate links appear on this page. If you use the link to buy the product you won’t pay any extra, you may even pay less, and I may get a commission. Further details of adverts and affiliate links can be found here.
The Secret Dead of Slapton Sands
On our way from Torquay to Fowey we decided to break the journey at Slapton Sands. My wife had heard the story of Slapton Sands and wanted to see where it happened. It was also a convenient place for a drink stop.The story of the secret dead is an interesting story but for forty years, the deaths of 946 American soldiers and sailors was kept secret.
In fact it was not until investigations started following the discovery on the beach of a large number of bullets and buttons and badges from American uniforms that the British and US governments acknowledged what had happened. An American tank was later found by divers.
On 4th November 1943, the Chairman of Devon County Council received instructions from the War Office, that he had to evacuate everyone within 30,000 acres and that he had until 20 December to do it. The Americans commenced Operation Tiger soon after. Slapton Sands was chosen for Operation Tiger because of it’s similarity to the beach in Normandy where the American forces were to land. Slapton Sands was code named Utah Beach for the exercise.
The Supreme Allied Commander, Eisenhower, wanted the men to be ready for battle so he ordered that live ammunition be used and a large number of men were killed in “friendly fire”. The largest number of deaths, however came in the early hours of 28th April 1944. Eight landing ships each containing containing tanks and hundreds of men set sail from Plymouth and Brixham to make an assault on Slapton Sands.
On 4th November 1943, the Chairman of Devon County Council received instructions from the War Office, that he had to evacuate everyone within 30,000 acres and that he had until 20 December to do it. The Americans commenced Operation Tiger soon after. Slapton Sands was chosen for Operation Tiger because of it’s similarity to the beach in Normandy where the American forces were to land. Slapton Sands was code named Utah Beach for the exercise.
The Supreme Allied Commander, Eisenhower, wanted the men to be ready for battle so he ordered that live ammunition be used and a large number of men were killed in “friendly fire”. The largest number of deaths, however came in the early hours of 28th April 1944. Eight landing ships each containing containing tanks and hundreds of men set sail from Plymouth and Brixham to make an assault on Slapton Sands.
The Germans intercepted radio messages and a group of E-boats were sent to intercept. Two of the landing craft were sunk and a further two were damaged. 639 US soldiers and sailors lost their lives in the attack. As well as deaths from the explosions, men drowned in the cold sea because the weight of the wet heavy uniforms dragged them down. Also the Germans fired machine guns on men in the water. The confusion led some officers to believe that the German attack was part of the exercise.
In Torcross we had a coffee and lovely cake at a quirky cafe called the Billy Can. It is well worth a visit. We then continued our journey to Polruan in Cornwall.
Before You Go. If you have found this post useful, you can say thank you by following me on my blog: https://arthurd111.blogspot.com/ but you can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
If you want to see my other posts, visit my site map.
If you have any comments on this article please complete this form at the bottom of this page.
My site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Follow this Link to find out how Akismet uses the data from you comment.
Related Posts:
The Lugger Inn in Polruan in Cornwall
Comments
Post a Comment