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

Рет қаралды 66,450

Ай бұрын

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.
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Пікірлер: 96

@12time12 Ай бұрын

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 29 күн бұрын

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

@ChickenNugget-dk9hp 25 күн бұрын

@@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 24 күн бұрын

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

@ChickenNugget-dk9hp 23 күн бұрын

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

@BritishMilitaria 22 күн бұрын

@@ChickenNugget-dk9hp who cares stop being precocious

@marcblackman7372 Ай бұрын

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 28 күн бұрын

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 28 күн бұрын

@TheDubdestroyer Ай бұрын

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

@paulh.5691 Ай бұрын

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.

@scottyb68 25 күн бұрын

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.

@SimonSmith-yd6tt Ай бұрын

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 Ай бұрын

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 27 күн бұрын

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

@Chris_GY1 Ай бұрын

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.

@robertfitch119 Ай бұрын

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

@gadgetgus Ай бұрын

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... 🙏

@jamesdoyle5405 Ай бұрын

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

@Braun30 Ай бұрын

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.

@rb67mustang Ай бұрын

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 27 күн бұрын

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

@markingtime2.0 Ай бұрын

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.

@usi-tmwegd Ай бұрын

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 Ай бұрын

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

@usi-tmwegd Ай бұрын

@@paulh.5691 It was released in 1995.

@petertaylor6384 Ай бұрын

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

@matjov Ай бұрын

Good thing we are allies now!

@paulh.5691 Ай бұрын

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

@ddpeak1 Ай бұрын

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

@luciusvorenus9445 Ай бұрын

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. Ай бұрын

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

@truracer20 26 күн бұрын

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 25 күн бұрын

@@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 Ай бұрын

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

@billballbuster7186 Ай бұрын

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.

@michaeloconnell8779 28 күн бұрын

Beautiful tribute to all those brave men that fought in WW2

@Mercmad 15 күн бұрын

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 29 күн бұрын

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

@TheIceman567 29 күн бұрын

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

@billwaller6100 Ай бұрын

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.

@gamerhoursco492 22 күн бұрын

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.

@SwedishEmpire1700 22 күн бұрын

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

@Seafariireland 27 күн бұрын

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

@stormykeep9213 28 күн бұрын

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.

@cbroz7492 Ай бұрын

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

@ianbaker8225 Ай бұрын

Slayton sands or Slapton Sands?

@cbroz7492 Ай бұрын

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

@ak9989 Ай бұрын

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

@ianb6595 Ай бұрын

Yes, very important

@SuperCurtisg 23 күн бұрын

@MarkFelton episode?

@floridaboiwoody 20 күн бұрын

Thank you to our greatest allies.

@NoWarFools Ай бұрын

The battlefield skateboard will be the game changer

@brianjames3849 26 күн бұрын

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

@jbuckley2546 Ай бұрын

East coast of Devon?

@lingerslongest Ай бұрын

Well remembered.

@neilperry2224 19 күн бұрын

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?

@johnscamardo2145 25 күн бұрын

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.

@Granty_lad55 Ай бұрын

Been here and took pictures 2 years ago

@jonwhite4250 Ай бұрын

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

@ed_andreevich Ай бұрын

Танк Шерман - легенда второго фронта

@nigelconnor6960 11 күн бұрын

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!

@tireballastserviceofflorid7771 Ай бұрын

Cathotic protection. Either active or passive.

@NOT.MI5.MI6. Ай бұрын

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

@allgood6760 Ай бұрын

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

@stripedpants1668 23 күн бұрын

The M4A1.

@Terracecasualx5 Ай бұрын

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🫡

@linosantomauro9020 Ай бұрын

Can't it just be sealed?

@NOT.MI5.MI6. Ай бұрын

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

@michaelhannick2128 29 күн бұрын

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

@kino6395 20 күн бұрын

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 20 күн бұрын

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

@jasonbarton3883 18 күн бұрын

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

@NOT.MI5.MI6. Ай бұрын

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 😂

@tonyruse6782 23 күн бұрын

What happen to the propellers

@jeffreyrule8143 29 күн бұрын

👏👏👏👏👏

@wor53lg50 26 күн бұрын

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...

@peterstubbs5934 Ай бұрын

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

@DirtyMikeandTheBoys69 Ай бұрын

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

@mark4371 Ай бұрын

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 Ай бұрын

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 Ай бұрын

@@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 Ай бұрын

@@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 28 күн бұрын

Stay away from the kool-aid

@Mongooseonthaloose 27 күн бұрын

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.