Across the build up to the Allied invasion in Normandy in 1944, a superb deal of preparation and organising was required. Data was consistently being gained by a net of spies while materials and gear were being brought to England. These would be vital all through and following what was and is still the biggest invasion force ever assembled.
Preparation and practise was a significant part of the plans. Rangers who were to assault Point du Hoc properly trained by climbing cliffs and men made practice beach landings. A crucial piece of the operation of secrecy and the locals of Great Britain were counted on to play their part. In Devon, an area called Slapton Sands was picked as a sound practise area due to the likenesses with the Utah landing beach in Normandy.
Exercises for the landings commenced in late 1943 with the key invasion lined up for June 1944. With 3,000 area folk were evacuated from the area near Slapton Sands. Varied exercises were organised and among the most serious was Operation Tiger with close to 30,000 men (approximately one 3rd of the current size of the UK Military) were to be involved.
Exercise Tiger occurred in late April 1944. The 1st practice landings were made without any Problems but during the exercise planned for the early morning of 28th April 1944, crisis struck. German E-Boats patrolling from Cherbourg intercepted a fleet of 8 LST (Landing ships). They fired torpedoes at the LSTs and desperate men leaped into the icy waters to evade the sinking boats. A considerable number of had not been directed the simplest way to put on their life jackets and drowned.
In addition to the E-Boat attacks, more men died on the beaches themselves. Using live ammunition had been authorised and along with the fatal injuries in the sea, more men died by friendly fire when they wandered into the wrong parts of the beaches.
Overall north of 900 men died for the period of Exercise Tiger and it was about forty years till the facts were made public. Ironically, only approximately two hundred men died on Utah Beach throughout the real landings in Normandy on 6th June 1944. Nowadays, a Sherman Tank is on show at Slapton Sands as a commemorative to the lads who perished in the course of Exercise Tiger.
Preparation and practise was a significant part of the plans. Rangers who were to assault Point du Hoc properly trained by climbing cliffs and men made practice beach landings. A crucial piece of the operation of secrecy and the locals of Great Britain were counted on to play their part. In Devon, an area called Slapton Sands was picked as a sound practise area due to the likenesses with the Utah landing beach in Normandy.
Exercises for the landings commenced in late 1943 with the key invasion lined up for June 1944. With 3,000 area folk were evacuated from the area near Slapton Sands. Varied exercises were organised and among the most serious was Operation Tiger with close to 30,000 men (approximately one 3rd of the current size of the UK Military) were to be involved.
Exercise Tiger occurred in late April 1944. The 1st practice landings were made without any Problems but during the exercise planned for the early morning of 28th April 1944, crisis struck. German E-Boats patrolling from Cherbourg intercepted a fleet of 8 LST (Landing ships). They fired torpedoes at the LSTs and desperate men leaped into the icy waters to evade the sinking boats. A considerable number of had not been directed the simplest way to put on their life jackets and drowned.
In addition to the E-Boat attacks, more men died on the beaches themselves. Using live ammunition had been authorised and along with the fatal injuries in the sea, more men died by friendly fire when they wandered into the wrong parts of the beaches.
Overall north of 900 men died for the period of Exercise Tiger and it was about forty years till the facts were made public. Ironically, only approximately two hundred men died on Utah Beach throughout the real landings in Normandy on 6th June 1944. Nowadays, a Sherman Tank is on show at Slapton Sands as a commemorative to the lads who perished in the course of Exercise Tiger.
About the Author:
The D-Day landings at Normandy were carried out by the greatest invasion fleet the world had seen. Exercise Tiger was part of the preparations for the big operation during WW2.