News
American Landing Ships involved in Exercise Tiger D-Day rehearsals protected
Two American amphibian Landing Ships that were involved in the ill-fated Exercise Tiger rehearsals off Slapton Sands in Devon, just weeks before D-Day on 6 June 1944, have been protected by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.
Image subject to copyright but shows an LST stern with the same type of gun.
Exercise Tiger, in late April 1944, was a series of ill-fated large-scale D-Day rehearsals aimed at preparing American and British troops for the Allied invasion of Normandy. Commanders realised that a combined arms operation on such a scale had never been attempted and most of the Allied sailors, soldiers and airmen had not been involved in an amphibious landing before.
The American Landing Ships (LSTs) were developed in response to a need for amphibious armoured infantry assaults and they had a large door in the bow that opened to allow trucks and tanks to disembark. LST-507 was launched at Jeffersonville, Indiana in September 1943 and LST-531 was launched at Evansville, Indiana in November 1943.
Launching MoD Salvage & Marine’s ROV for a dive on LST 507 in 2018.
During Exercise Tiger, in the early hours of 28 April 1944, co-ordination and communication problems resulted in Landing Ship Tanks LST-507 and LST- 531 being sunk.The LSTs were carrying hundreds of American servicemen as well as tanks, vehicles and trucks when they were torpedoed because nearby German E-boats were intercepting their communications. The ships rapidly sank and at least 749 American service personnel lost their lives.
LST-507 was carrying nearly 500 US army personnel, trucks and 22 amphibious vehicles as well as live ammunition when it was struck in the engine room by a torpedo fired by a German E boat. This knocked out the ship’s electricity, preventing the lowering of lifeboats and started several fires in the tank deck with petrol tanks and ammunition exploding. More than 200 army and navy servicemen were lost.
Ghostly wreckage of the upside down hull of LST 531_imaged using the ROV low light video camera.
LST-531 was struck by two torpedoes and burst into a fireball following two explosions. Ammunition started firing from the bow armament and surviving personnel immediately jumped into the freezing sea, amid burning fuel oil. Many personnel were also trapped below decks as the ship rolled over and sank within six minutes. Some 424 army and navy servicemen were lost. Two other LSTs were severely damaged in the attack and further lives lost.
The remains of one of the small LCVP landing craft carried by LST 531 lie on the seabed below the larger ship.
D-Day on 6 June 1944, codenamed Operation Overlord, was the greatest combined land, air and naval operation in history. It was a massive assault by the allies to invade Nazi-occupied Western Europe during the Second World War. 156,000 soldiers from Britain, America, Canada and France landed on the beaches of Normandy together with thousands of vehicles and supplies.
Heritage Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “I am pleased that as we prepare to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe, these important relics will be protected. D Day is one of the defining moments of the Second World War and preserving these wreck sites is a fitting tribute to all those who lost their lives in Exercise Tiger.”
Gun sight, copyright Gareth Lock.
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England said: “The underwater remains of ships involved in the D-Day rehearsals are a tangible reminder of the sacrifices made in planning and delivering this huge military operation on a scale never previously attempted, 76 years ago. By protecting the wrecks of two United States Landing Ships we are remembering all of those who lost their lives in the struggle for liberty during the Second World War.”
Dan Atkinson, Director Coastal & Marine at Wessex Archaeology, said: “We’re delighted at the scheduling of these two LSTs, which we investigated during the 75th anniversary of D-Day last year. The work we have done has not only helped to ensure that their importance to the story of D-Day is recognised, but it also complements the work to record them by volunteer divers.”
Total casualties during Exercise Tiger, including those from LST-507 and 531, were 551 army and 198 naval personnel.
For more information please visit www.historicengland.org.uk
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Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.
Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!
Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.
Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.
“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.
Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.
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