Meeting: Rout on the Riviera – Exercise Tiger; The Slapton Sands Disaster.
Speaker: Paul Barnett
Wednesday 8th July 2020 ; 7:30 pm
Woodcote Village Hall, Reading Road, Woodcote, RG8 0QY
DUE To COVID 19 This talk has now been re-scheduled as a BMMHS Virtual Talk
The original Meeting scheduled for 8th July in Woodcote Village hall has been cancelled due to COVID-19. This Meeting however has now re-scheduled as a BMMHS Virtual Talk on Tuesday 4th August 2:00pm. Joining Instructions for this Zoom Talk will be emailed on the day of the talk.


The British Modern Military History Society will this month be hosting a presentation given by historian and author Paul Barnett who will be giving a talk on the:-
Rout on the Riviera – Exercise Tiger; The Slapton Sands Disaster.
Paul’s talk documents the tragic events of the night of April 28th 1944. Almost forgotten, the story places the listener in the heart of sleepy Lyme Bay at a time of the Allied operations in readiness for Operation Overlord. Originally considered safe in home waters a loaded convoy sets sail. But by daybreak, two ships lay on the sea bed; one limping badly damaged and 749 souls missing – a scene of total devastation. Step forward 40 years and peace has returned to the shore, albeit the tranquil scene is silently guarded by one man’s determination…..to recover a sunken tank!

D-Day Rehersal: Exercise Tiger
German E-Boats Attack
News Blackout ordered
D-Day Itself at Risk
Slowly the Truth Emerges




Event Details
When we host Meetings in Woodcote Village Hall, entry cost is just £8, payable (cash only) on the door. This includes your entry ticket to the talk, a Q & A, refreshments (beer, wine, soft drinks) and light snacks (sandwiches etc.). At each talk, we also make a contribution to a military related charity of our speaker’s choice. We also hold a raffle at each talk.
Doors open at 7:00pm and talks are scheduled to start at 7:30 pm. Entrance to the main hall is via the main entrance on the Reading Road in Woodcote.
Car parking is available on site, but can get quite busy. Disabled parking and access to the hall is available.
As many of our talks do ‘sell out’ in advance, we recommend you reserve your places well in advance to avoid disappointment by contacting us on info@bmmhs.org We will then confirm your reservation back to you if seats are available.
If you have any other questions, please contact us on info@bmmhs.org
We look forward to welcoming you to our meeting.
Meeting Venue: Woodcote Village Hall


If you are unable to attend this meeting but would be interested in attending any of our future presentations or joining any organised trips please contact us on info@bmmhs.org so we can keep you updated.
BBC Coast - Exercise Tiger Disaster
ALLIED PREPARATIONS FOR D-DAY
Exercise Tiger was one element in the Allies build up towards D-Day.
A command team led by American General Dwight D. Eisenhower was formed in December 1943 to plan the naval, air and land operations. Deception campaigns were developed to draw German attention – and strength – away from Normandy. To build up resources for the invasion, British factories increased production and in the first half of 1944 approximately 9 million tonnes of supplies and equipment crossed the Atlantic from North America to Britain. A substantial Canadian force had been building up in Britain since December 1939 and over 1.4 million American servicemen arrived during 1943 and 1944 to take part in the landings.

Biographical notes – Paul Barnett

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