70th Remembrance News Article - May 2, 2014

Remembering the servicemen that lost their lives in Exercise Tiger on Sunday, April 27, 2014

DARTMOUTH CHRONICLE                                                                         MAY 2, 2014 
(Excerpts of article on coverage of the Exercise Tiger Memorial Ltd events)


Anniversary Tributes to Exercise Tiger Tragedy Men


The 70th anniversary of the fateful D-Day dress rehearsal, Exercise Tiger, which cost 749 American servicemen their lives, was marked by a memorial service at Slapton. The service was held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 27,  almost 70 years to the day after German E-boats attacked a convey of ships that were being used to practise for the D-Day landings.  The service was held at the tank memorial site, led by Prebandary John F. Richards, from the Plymouth branch of Royal Tank Regiment Association, to remember those who died and to unveil a plaque in memory of Ken Small.  In attendance were members of the Royal Tank Regiment Association, the LST & Landing Craft Association, and local citizens.  Also present was Dean & Sarah Small, and Laurie Bolton who read a statement from the families of the servicemen and veteran survivors: ‘I am privileged to be here in memory of my uncle, Sgt. Louis A. Bolton, who perished on board LST 531. ‘I have also been asked, by the families who lost loved ones as well as the veteran survivors, to represent them here today, as they are unable to attend. ‘On behalf of all of us, I wish to thank the late Ken Small for establishing this memorial site which gives us a tangible place to come and pay tribute to our loved ones who died, and a place of remembrance for their sacrifice. We also acknowledge the sacrifice of the local residents who left their homes and farms for the cause of freedom. We appreciate the support and attendance of the area’s local citizens and local government representatives. ‘So today, on the 70th anniversary of Exercise Tiger, we express our heartfelt thanks. ‘It is also my privilege today, along with Dean Small, to be unveiling a plaque honouring the late Ken Small for his tireless efforts over 30 years to establish this memorial site in honour of those who perished.’

U.S. Navy Ensign Lieutenant Douglas Harlander, a surviving officer of the ship LST 531, has described what had happened on that fateful morning of April 28, 1944. Ensign Harlander, now aged 94 and from Wisconsin, said: ‘The convoy had travelled all day and into the night. It was early the next morning, April 28, when the last LST in the convoy, 507, got hit by a torpedo at 2.03 am from one of the German E-boats which had snuck up on the two-mile long convoy of LSTs. I remember being on the navigation deck of the ship when the radar man pointed out a ‘little peep’ on the corner of the radar screen. ‘I went out to take a look, and was standing on the starboard wing when the first torpedo hit. ‘It felt like a sledgehammer on my feet. It threw me back eight or nine feet. The direct hit to LST 531 came 15 minutes after the assault on LST 507, and struck the ship’s mid section and engine room, shutting everything down. ‘We were dead in the water. We were completely loaded with trucks, vehicles, tanks, and all of them were loaded with fuel to the hilt. As a result, when the torpedoes went off, it was an immediate mass ball of fire all over the main deck and all over the tank deck. A minute later we were hit again with another torpedo. That one really ripped our seams open. The ship started listing right away and started turning over to its starboard side. It would only stay afloat for another six minutes. ‘Attempts were made to put the flames out, but it was impossible with all the gasoline fuelling the fire. The four landing craft, used to transport the troops to the beach,couldn’t be used due to damage and shortness of time, and because they were tightly secured to the ship. ‘I followed emergency procedures and went down to the ship’s war room, but no one was there. I went to my own quarters, roused an army officer, and got him a life jacket. I then began evacuating other men in that part of the ship. ‘I realized that saving the ship was futile, so I turned my attention to trying to save men, grabbing life jackets and passing them out. I helped 15 men over the side and I was the last man over the port side. As I crawled over the side, the ship was sinking fast and turning over. By the time I got down to the water line, it had turned over completely and the water was up to my ankles. ‘As I was walking on the outside of the ship’s hull as it sank beneath me, I dived off and got away as fast as I could...’

Navy Ensign Douglas Harlander - LST 531

A candlelit vigil was also held on Monday, April 28th, at 2 am, to remember the attack, which began at 2:03 am in 1944. The vigil, around the tank memorial in Torcross car park, was organised by Dean Small, son of the late Ken Small, and Laurie Bolton, whose uncle perished in Exercise Tiger. A small gathering of local people joined them Ms Bolton said: ‘It was extremely moving to be there at the very time the tragedy took place 70 years ago and to remember those who perished. I couldn’t help but think about what they must have suffered in their last moments of life. ’Dean Small added: ‘If my dad had been here with us at the vigil, there would have been a tear in his eye. It was a very moving experience.’
 

Sgt. Louis A. Bolton - Perished on LST 531

The official annual ceremony led by the Plymouth branch of the Royal Tank Regiment Asssociation, is held on the nearest Sunday to April 28 each year. 
For more information, visit  www.exercisetigermemorial.co.uk