How a US Sherman tank became a poignant memorial for D-Day training tragedy

Dean Small is the son of Ken Small, who in the 1980s discovered an American Sherman tank that since 1944 had been lying on the seabed, about three-quarters of a mile away from Slapton Sands.
To honour all who died during Exercise Tiger, Ken Small turned the tank into a memorial which is still visited today.
More: www.forces.net/feature/exerci...
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[@12time12]

If you guys need funding to restore it, please setup a fundraiser. Many of us across the pond will kick in for sure. Thanks.

[@BritishMilitaria]

It was discovered in they 80s it says in description I thinks it supposed to be a memorial peice

[@ChickenNugget-dk9hp]

@@BritishMilitaria Doesn't mean it doesn't deserve restoration. It will start bubbling more and pieces will start flaking off. It needs to be painted in a preservative paint not in decorative paint.

[@BritishMilitaria]

@@ChickenNugget-dk9hp that’s called conservation which I imagine they do

[@ChickenNugget-dk9hp]

@@BritishMilitaria He literally says in the video its not preservative paint its just normal black paint. Did you even watch the video?

[@BritishMilitaria]

@@ChickenNugget-dk9hp who cares stop being precocious

[@marcblackman7372]

I met your father many years ago whilst on a family holiday in the area. As a 12 year old boy was interested in the tank so I went and had a look and found your dad parked next to it selling his book from the boot of his car. Still have the book and post card 30 years later.I Such a shame that all the government's involved made your dad's job of raising the tank so difficult. It is an amazing memorial to such a tragic and unknown event.

[@mihalich7740]

Спасибо Правительству за то, что сначала не конфисковали находку как "клад" (ведь боевая машина, которая - строго говоря - УЖЕ принадлежала Правительству Великобритании тогда) - из металла (и поэтому - стоит денег) и спасибо Правительству за то, что не возразила против выделения участка земли для того, чтобы установить этот танк как памятник. Отдельное спасибо местной полиции, которая помогла грамотно оформить всё это с самого начала, чтобы тем, кто решил создать этот памятник, никто не смог помешать.

[@mihalich7740]

Спасибо Правительству за то, что сначала не конфисковали находку как "клад" (ведь боевая машина, которая - строго говоря - УЖЕ принадлежала Правительству Великобритании тогда) - из металла (и поэтому - стоит денег) и спасибо Правительству за то, что не возразила против выделения участка земли для того, чтобы установить этот танк как памятник. Отдельное спасибо местной полиции, которая помогла грамотно оформить всё это с самого начала, чтобы тем, кто решил создать этот памятник, никто не смог помешать.

[@TheDubdestroyer]

Driven past many times, I feel the need to stop and pay my respects as I knew the history behind it. I think I deserves to be preserved

[@scottyb68]

It's probably about time it goes to a tank museum for full restoration and to be kept indoors out of the elements. It's too valuable to allow to rust away.

[@paulh.5691]

After reading Ken Small's book, the Forgotten dead in 1997, I set off for Torcross and there I did meet Ken Small at "his" Sherman. Selling his books from the boot of his Vauxhall Calibra. Regards from The Netherlands.

[@SimonSmith-yd6tt]

The V shape weld on the bow gives away the DD build and when I was last there about 15 years ago the paint on it was inches thick holding it together.

[@nickwilliams7867]

I was on the beach the day they recovered it. At 13 I cycled the 14 miles return trip from Kingsbridge 4 days in a row until it came up.

[@outandaboutsouthhams6322]

me too i was there with my grandfather it was amazing seeing the tracks turning as it was dragged up the beach my uncle was the one who got the conger eels out of it and was there helping move it its looking a bit sad for itself now though

[@robertfitch119]

I applaud such efforts to showcase many important events from the world wars and to tell important stories of those who gave all.

[@Chris_GY1]

I met Ken Small at the tank on 10th August 1991 I bought his book and he signed and dated it, I remember seeing the tank while while we were driving past Slapton Sands I said to my dad can you turn around so I can go and look at the tank and that is when I met Ken. I left school on 6th June 1991 the 47th Anniversary of D-Day.

[@jamesdoyle5405]

Quite a tribute, grateful that these folks who didn't even make it to D-Day are memorialized for their sacrifice.

[@gadgetgus]

A 'DD' Sherman, nice for the 80th D-Day commemorations. For me, Operation Tiger needs to be mentioned, just as much as Operation Jubilee and others, when we talk about the build-up to free the continent of tyranny... 🙏

[@Braun30]

Knew a gent who landed in Ouistreham who considered himself very lucky. He was an engineer and was in the wave that was supposed to clear paths through the minefields. Whenever he saw a Mathilda he was reminded that he was on the one tank that made it to the shore all others were lost.

[@markingtime2.0]

I visited Slapton a few years ago, just after Remembrance Sunday. The tributes and wreathes which bedecked the Sherman were quite moving and proof that we'll never forget the sacrifice of so many brave men and their families. RIP our brothers in arms.

[@rb67mustang]

At first, after seeing the thumbnail for this video, I thought this Sherman was recovered and near the beach in France. But as the video began, I have known about this tragic events during practicing the D-Day Landings, and I understand why this Sherman is such an important monument. As the years pass, there are fewer Men & Women who served in WW-II with us every day. Let us all hope that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

[@michaelcanty4940]

The last survivor of the USS Arizona, Louis Anthony Conter, died April 1st at the age of 102. RIP.

[@usi-tmwegd]

I am Japanese. During the war, the Japanese military suffered greatly in battles all over the Pacific due to the Sherman tanks, which were overwhelmingly superior in performance. However, nowadays, they are even sold as Tamiya plastic models, and people buy them, making them an object of romance.

[@paulh.5691]

What do you mean "nowadays" ? These kits have been around for more than 60 years.

[@usi-tmwegd]

@@paulh.5691 It was released in 1995.

[@petertaylor6384]

​@@paulh.5691tamiya is rc as well not airfix

[@matjov]

Good thing we are allies now!

[@paulh.5691]

@@petertaylor6384 Whatever brand. Airfix also made Japanese aircraft more than half a century ago.

[@ddpeak1]

Brilliant well done, I saw that tank years ago and at the time. Ever really understood the significance thanks for your efforts David.

[@luciusvorenus9445]

It would be nice if the Tank Museum at Bovington took up the cause of restoring this tank. Like a fund raiser during Tank Fest?

[@NOT.MI5.MI6.]

They are really good at Bovington aswell , I remembered school trips Tank museum lol

[@truracer20]

It's not really restorable. 40 years in saltwater and 40 more in sea air have taken their toll. A range target would be more easily restored.

[@ChickenNugget-dk9hp]

@@truracer20 A Sherman was recovered from the sea in Russia and restored to running condition. This could easily be restored to static condition. It needs to be painted in preservative paint not decorative otherwise it will not last.

[@thomaspickard4138]

Beautiful so much respect 🫡! If I’m ever round that side of the world il pay my respects 🙏

[@michaeloconnell8779]

Beautiful tribute to all those brave men that fought in WW2

[@billballbuster7186]

Though many these days want to re-write history, the Sherman was in many ways a death trap for their crews. Only the Commander could get out of the tank quickly, and the gunner and loader had to follow him out the same hatch. The driver and hull gunner had their own hatches, but these were small and difficult. Slapton Sands was total disaster, why Operation Tiger took place in "E-Boat Ally" is a mystery.

[@Mercmad]

In Russia a KV2 tank was recovered from the Neva River where it had lain since WW2. It had been disabled after an epic tank battle which saw one tank destroy 25 German tanks .As it was being carted over the Neva on a pontoon bridge ,the pontoon failed and it sank to the bottom, upside down. It was rescued almost 10 years ago now and actually runs! Given that, I could see this tank receiving similar treatment to preserve it for another 8 decades.

[@Horizon344]

Building a carport over it to keep the weather off will help preservation a lot.

[@TheIceman567]

Are you British? Do you like the USA and Americans?

[@billwaller6100]

Is this a replacement tank? I remember cycling around the southcoast in the late 1950’s and seeing a tank on the front of Slapton Sands.

[@SwedishEmpire1700]

Imagine having to be forced to own a tank that they left on the bottom of the sea before you can just get it.

[@gamerhoursco492]

Please set up a fundraiser for this beautiful tank, there are many of us who would like to donate something to keep this beauty in good condition.

[@Seafariireland]

Nice homage to those difficult times and the loss of many brave men who died for our freedom!

[@stormykeep9213]

I've never heard of Exercise Tiger. The lives lost in training were no less precious than those in the actual battle. These soldiers deserve their own memorial.

[@ianb6595]

Yes, very important

[@ak9989]

I've always remembered this tragedy since it's my birthday today.

[@floridaboiwoody]

Thank you to our greatest allies.

[@cbroz7492]

Slayton Sands is mostly forgotten..it was covered in secrecy during the months leading to Overlord..

[@ianbaker8225]

Slayton sands or Slapton Sands?

[@cbroz7492]

@@ianbaker8225 'P'..not 'Y'!!!

[@NoWarFools]

The battlefield skateboard will be the game changer

[@SuperCurtisg]

@MarkFelton episode?

[@brianjames3849]

Thanks to the late Ken small and his dogged determination to plough through the red tape and indeed the great cost to himself (I believe 6K) to bring this iconic tank to the surface as a monument to those poor American souls who lost their lives practicing for d day is truly remarkable rip Ken small Slapton will be forever grateful

[@lingerslongest]

Well remembered.

[@ed_andreevich]

Танк Шерман - легенда второго фронта

[@johnscamardo2145]

due to someone not taking care of paperwork the training was not covered by corvettes and destroyers in order to protect the troops. German e-boats slipped through and attacked the training group and killed many men and destroyed landing craft and materials that were planned for D-Day.

[@Terracecasualx5]

At the going down of the sun,you shall be remembered . R.I.P. to those American servicemen and sailors who lost their lives in Exercise Tiger practicing to free the world from Tyranny🫡

[@neilperry2224]

I rsead this book about fine and brave story. One about the Amphibious tank and why it sank,the second story of the botched training of the troops and equipment?

[@jonwhite4250]

Slapton is not the east coast at all. It’s definitely on the south coast!

[@Granty_lad55]

Been here and took pictures 2 years ago

[@michaelhannick2128]

A Sherman tank is the definition of NOT extraordinary. They were very common.

[@kino6395]

He said it himself its a Sherman from that day where a massive tragedy happened. Its a direct connection to lessons of history and the family lost in learning those lessons. Its like that car isn't special as its just another car but it is special because its yours. An object tied to a moment becomes infinitely more valuable than the object originally was as its the history that's the true value. And the older an historical object is the more valuable it becomes because more are never made for that period of time only lost. Under that thought process the Mona Lisa is the definition of NOT extraordinary as there are millions of paintings of women.

[@redcat9436]

They WERE common. Not anymore. Especially not one with a documented history like this one has.

[@jbuckley2546]

East coast of Devon?

[@nigelconnor6960]

Declare it a historic monument, and you may get preservation grants from even the lottery??? Or the art council or whatever they're called now, it's a piece of national history, and a kind of war memorial. Well done you!

[@jasonbarton3883]

Come everyone out there let’s help this Pearson out and start a go fund me page and get this piece history back up to how it should look would this not be a fantastic story

[@tireballastserviceofflorid7771]

Cathotic protection. Either active or passive.

[@allgood6760]

Nice!.. we have a Sherman (moulded hull) here in NZ👍🇳🇿

[@stripedpants1668]

The M4A1.

[@linosantomauro9020]

Can't it just be sealed?

[@NOT.MI5.MI6.]

Like anything public it's what you can use for a safety etc , I'd waxoil it literally everywete 😂 The best stuff is sticky and soft for weathering better so it doesn't let the damp or rain get underneath it , thats what we use user cars in UK 🇬🇧 for salty

[@tonyruse6782]

What happen to the propellers

[@NOT.MI5.MI6.]

I remember this I think on the News I'm shore I eather read about it our seen a report on it 😊

[@NOT.MI5.MI6.]

if it was me id spray it top to bottom in Waxoil 😂 best stuff for under neath cars because it doesn't 💯 cure so stays fluid and does not peel off or let rust get underneath it cheap and spray it in all the difficult places 😊you couldn't do it though because people would touch it and get sticky hands 😂

[@jeffreyrule8143]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@peterstubbs5934]

The Americans dropped their DD`s FAR too far from the landing point. Thats why most of them got swamped.

[@DirtyMikeandTheBoys69]

That has nothing to do with Exercise Tiger.... and there was a reason the DD tanks were dropped further out.

[@wor53lg50]

Also for you WW2 history buffs, the only surviving E Boat from Slapton sands raid is being restored by the wheatcroft foundation...im pretty sure its the only remaining Shnell boat in the world...

[@mark4371]

How a ronson lighter became a death trap What absolute heap of garbage Shares the same pedigree as the Abrams tank A coffin on tracks

[@DirtyMikeandTheBoys69]

You really have no idea what you're talking about. Not only did the Sherman have one of the highest crew survivability rates, but the "Ronson Burner" myth has been refuted by so many experts. The M1 and its later variants have an even higher crew survivability rate. If they didn't, we wouldn't be using them.

[@mark4371]

@@DirtyMikeandTheBoys69 Obviously you are oblivious to the worst tank of WW2 the only reason this trash can on tracks was used was because it was cheap and mass produced It’s main cannon was pathetic Once hit the petrol engine ignited What an absolute heap of trash The British at least tried to make the garbage viable by adding a new cannon other than that worst tank ever produced

[@mark4371]

@@DirtyMikeandTheBoys69 The Sherman had the highest crew survivability rates What utter nonsense The Sherman tank revisionist experts The Sherman tank was complete garbage from its thin armour to the pathetic 76mm cannon and its combustible petrol engine The only reason this trash can on tracks was used is because it was cheap and mass produced Worst tank of WW2 If you are going to respond do not respond with historical revisionism What total buffoon you are

[@brennanleadbetter9708]

Stay away from the kool-aid

[@Mongooseonthaloose]

That nickname was a myth and trying to compare a Sherman to an Abrams is ridiculous… crew survivability is insane in an Abrams, you better do some research before trying to talk smack.