An American Sherman in Devon

Who knew that Slapton Sands played such an important part in the preparations for the D Day landings in Normandy? We have discovered that it was used as a training and rehearsal ground over a period of 5 months, because of its geographic similarities to Utah Beach. Sadly, nearly 1,000 American servicemen died during the rehearsals for various reasons including the use of live ammunition to practise and also a German attack on a convoy! This tank was recovered from the seabed in 1984 and is now part of the memorial.

Also, who knew that, in order to practise, 8 villages with all their farms were ordered to evacuate, transforming the area into a ghost land?! Many people never returned or never recovered from the disruption & loss of it all!

After walking around the nature reserve, we cycled to Torcross, where this memorial is, and had fish and chips at the Start Bay Inn along the seafront (see extra). Beautiful sunny day again.