- Type of Memorial
- Trophy / Relic
- WMR Reference Number
- 106528
- Description
- A restored American Sherman tank. The memorial consists of two bronze plaques behind the tank.
- Inscription
- Plaque 1:
OPERATION TIGER MEMORIAL
Dedicated by the United States of America in honor of the men of the USS Army's 1st Engineer Special Brigade, the 4th Infantry Division, and the VII Corps Headquarters; and the US Navy's 11th Amphibious Force who perished in the waters of Lyme Bay during the early hours of April 28, 1944. They were on board landing ships, tank (LSTs) or 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 surprise encounter with German torpedo boats (Schnellboots) resulted in the tragic loss of two of the landing ships and damage to two others. The lessons learned in this tragedy added significantly to the success of the Allies on the D-day landings on Normandy.
May all these soldiers and sailors be remembered not only for their sacrifice but also for their contributions to the Allied cause in World War II.
DONATED BY
THE 1ST ENGINEER SPECIAL BRIGADE ASSOCIATION
Plaque 2:
THIS AMERICAN SHERMAN TANK
TOOK PART IN THE D-DAY PRACTICE
LANDINGS AT SLAPTON BEACH IN
1944 WHERE IT WAS LOST AT SEA
AND THERE REMAINED UNTIL ITS
RECOVERY IN 1984
IT STANDS AS A MEMORIAL TO THOSE
AMERICAN LIVES LOST DURING THE
COURSE OF THE D-DAY PRACTICE
LANDINGS AT SLAPTON BEACH IN 1944
THEIR SACRIFICE WAS NOT IN VAIN
BE THEY EVER AT PEACE