The memorial is located in a clearing at the south end of the parking lot between the road and the lake. It faces toward the parking lot, parallel to the coastline.  Combat Vehicle The memorial consists of two plaques behind a small Sherman tank. The tank was recovered in 1984 by local resident Ken Small who bought the rights to the submerged vehicle, originally the property of the US 70^th Tank Battalion. Upon the restoration of the tank, Small founded the Slapton Sands Sherman Tank Memorial Foundation which is now run by his son, Dean.

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