- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC; New edition edition (23 April 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0747544670
- ISBN-13: 978-0747544678
- Product Dimensions: 24.2 x 16.2 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 970,848 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
In 1944, Exercise Tiger, a rehearsal for the D-Day landings, went disastrously wrong. A series of blunders allowed German E-boats to intercept the convoy of landing craft, and 946 Americans lost their lives. This account of the event unfolds the true scale of the tragedy. It is the story of one man and his obsession to honour the memory of the soldiers who died that night. In the early 1970s, hotelier Ken Small enjoyed beachcombing along Slapton Sands, near his hotel. He began finding unexpanded bullets, US dollars and the personal possessions of US servicemen. Gradually, he pieced together the events of that night and began the struggle to erect a monument to honour the dead soldiers.
From the Inside Flap
The night of 27 April 1944 ... Exercise Tiger ... German E Boats intercept rehearsals for the D-Day landings ...
Only 45 years later has the full story of this tragedy been uncovered.
A gripping tale of wartime disaster and resuce - and one man's fight to uncover the true story. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book investigates the pre "D Day" practice landings and the tragic sinking and loss of life, during "Operation Tiger", off the coast of South Devon and in Lyme Bay during World War Two. Since I first read this book many years ago, I have been inspired to visit the site of the "Sherman Tank" memorial at "Slapton Sands" and met the author on many occasions. Those of you, who perhaps are not fans of non fiction, will be gripped from cover to cover by this true story as it unfolds in all its detail. The author "Ken Small", paints a vivid picture of the tragic events which led to the loss of so many brave allied troops, before they had even reached the beaches of Normandy. Their great courage and sacrifice is an inspiration to all of us and I would thoroughly reccomend this book as a "must read". If you get the chance to visit the memorial at Slapton, keep an eye out for the author in the car park next to the tank, he is an interesting man to talk to and the area of coast around the site is well worth exploring.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This account of one man's mission to obtain one of the most important pieces of WW2 history in Devon is a must for anybody. We all owe a debt of gratitude to every person who experienced this terrible war and this is a truly remarkable story. Once you have read this book, you will feel as if you must visit the tank immediately to see it for yourself and meet the man who made it possible. Ken Small is often there, ready to answer your questions and tell his tale. It is hard to believe that this terrible tragedy was possible in such a relaxing part of the world, but this story is, sadly, just one of many tales of death and devastation to be told in and around the West Country. Next time you visit Devon or Cornwall for a break, just take a few moments to remember those darkest of days, and nights.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I used to see Ken on Slapton Sands quite frequently, the last time was in 2001. He was sat (in the sun in the car park) next to the Tank. Alongside him was his Vauxhall Calibra, the rear hatch open to display his books, his letter from Ronald Reagan and many photographs of the beach.
He was, rightly, proud of his achievements to bring to life the history of the tragedy that took place at Slapton during the WWII landing rehearsals there.
This is a good book rather than a great one. I have to say it would not be a great book if it was not for the the fact that it was written by such a dedicated man as Mr Small.
RIP Ken.
He was, rightly, proud of his achievements to bring to life the history of the tragedy that took place at Slapton during the WWII landing rehearsals there.
This is a good book rather than a great one. I have to say it would not be a great book if it was not for the the fact that it was written by such a dedicated man as Mr Small.
RIP Ken.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A COMPELLING READ BY AN INTERESTING MAN
I came across Ken Small about 15 years ago while staying on the beach front at Slapton Sands in Devon. Read more
Published 7 months ago by tony
In Memoriam
There is now a tank, a Sherman, which stands as a memorial on Slapton Sands to those that died in Exercise Tiger in 1944. Read more
Published 8 months ago by JRWaddy
Slapton Sands story
I purchased this book to discover the story behind this terrible event, the initial 2/3 of the book where a good read but slowly & surely it became a guy writing about himself &... Read more
Published on 3 Aug 2009 by Mr. A. Baines
The Forgotten Dead
I had heard about the events at Slapton Sands but this book brought them to life. Ken Small had suffered a breakdown before he stated on the investigation and it shows, the guy got... Read more
Published on 14 April 2009 by Michael Watson
A disgraceful cover up by the allies.
The book by Ken Small describes the total lack of cooperation from the American and British government in his attempt to gain the help to create a lasting memorial to the sailors... Read more
Published on 31 July 2008 by Scott Graham
60th Anniversary Edition
The book is about the night of 27th April 1944 when during "Exercise Tiger" German E-boats intercept rehearsals for the D-Day landings. Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2005
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