
|
 |
The
inscription below appears on the memorial to the left of the
tank |
|
 |
Doubtful whether even one percent of those that sit on Slapton
Sands today, realise the activity that once took place, heralding
the preparations
for D-Day 1944 |
 |

|
 |
Thanks
from the USA
Talking of memorials, just visit Slapton Sands today and there you
will find a large granite monument presented to the inhabitants
of that area about 10 years later by the American Forces.
Part of the inscription reads:
Moving
Story For a cottager, the task of shifting home was a couple of days
work at the most. For the farmers it really was far more complicated.
Not only did they have to empty their homes but there was all the
livestock, implements, farm equipment, feeding stuffs and crops to
move.
Some crops already harvested, some still in the ground. Swedes, mangolds,
potatoes, grown to feed the stock that winter.
 |
Slapton
Ley - a 'wonderful freak of nature' |
Much of
the livestock were driven to their new homes but the rest had to be
transported. Lorries full of implements, fodder, hay and corn had
to be moved. A great state of destruction greeted those that did return
so we must remember the hard work of those that restored this green
and pleasant beautiful area of rural Britain.
Visit
it now and it's difficult to appreciate the mass activity of those
60 or so years ago. The sea, the ridged beach, the road running the
full length of the beach, and - the other side of it - that wonderful
'freak of nature' the freshwater Ley with its wide variety of flora
and fauna, insects and birds.
Doubtful whether even one percent of those that sit on Slapton Sands
today, realise the activity that once took place, heralding the preparations
for D-Day 1944.
Thousands of American feet pounded these acres of Devonshire soil.
Now, just once a year, the sound of trampling feet is heard at the
Annual Worm Charming Competition held close to the village pub at
nearby Blackawton.
Its name is aptly "The Normandy Arms".
 |
Dartmoor
Delicacies >> |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
  |
 Weather |
 |
Monthly
statistics, features and information. |


E-cards |
 |
Send
an e-postcard of glorious Devon to a friend. |

In
Pictures |
 |
Browse
through our vast selection of photo galleries. |
 
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Devon
Broadcasting House
Seymour Road
Plymouth
PL3 5BD
(+44) 01752 229201 devon.online@bbc.co.uk |
|