Stop 3
Memorial Obelisk
SX 829443
In November 1943, the Allies were preparing for ‘Operation Overlord’, the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. American forces requisitioned an area of 30,000 acres, covering six villages, its radius centred on Slapton sands. The population was evacuated, and the area used to stage practice invasion exercises as a preparation for attacking ‘Utah’ beach, in Normandy.
Landing craft containing soldiers and vehicles, including amphibious ‘swimming’ tanks, attacked Slapton Sands from Start Bay. Unfortunately the exercise went disastrously wrong. Far out in Lyme Bay, the landing craft were spotted by German motor torpedo boats, which sank and damaged several vessels, resulting in the loss of over 750 men.
War memorial inscription
This memorial was presented by the United States Army authorities to the people of the South Hams who generously left their homes and their lands to provide a battle practice area for the successful assault in Normandy in June 1944.
Their action resulted in the saving of many hundreds of lives and contributed in no small measure to the success of the operation.
The area included the villages of Blackawton, Chillington, East Allington, Sherford, Slapton, Stokenham, Strete and Torcross together with many outlying farms and houses.
Slapton Sands Obelisk Memorial
Further losses of men were caused by ‘friendly fire’ during the landings themselves, when real shells were fired from the naval vessels, and live ammunition used. The shelling destroyed or damaged many houses and other buildings in the area.
To visit the nature reserve viewing platform, double back across the road and follow Sands Road (signposted Slapton) over the bridge. Follow the nature reserve signs to the left.