When their destroy their
In 2004, in June, they celebrated the anniversary of the landing of allied troops on the territory of Western Europe (World War II) - the British and Americans, as well as the opening of the second front. And few people know that in the course of this operation, many soldiers were killed by their own comrades ...
Over the existing stories Wars There are similar incidents when their kill their own. However, in the history of 2-th World War until today, there are numerous gaps, such "white spots", and all the information that can shed light on them, everything is under the heading "Secret." One of the most terrifying and tragic pages of this war is directly related to the British Devon.
It is known that the Allies delayed the opening of the second front up to 1944 year (summer). And before these events, Day-D operation (landing in Normandy), which took place on June 6, was thoroughly tested.
However, before that, another day happened, namely: April 27 1944, when the United States "rehearsed" this landing in the south of Britain. And a lot of young American men in uniform were killed near Slapton Sands (Devon, Britain). Note that these were only teachings.
Almost all the participants and witnesses of those events that took place more than 60 years ago, are already in the grave. Nevertheless, it was still possible to collect materials on this tragic event. On that very day, the waters at Slapton Sands were stained with blood, countless dead bodies swayed on the surface, and all of them were then laid on the sandy shore. And then buried in a mass grave. And all these guys fell at their hands! The authorities' acknowledgment of what happened on that day, April 27 of 1944, in Devon, has never been heard.
According to official data, all the victims were “written off” as an Allied convoy (codename T-4), which was unexpectedly attacked by 28 on April 1944, by German boats. It is known that at least 700 people were killed off the coast of Dorset. And, by the way, this is the very operation that is called the "Tiger" - that is, the dress rehearsal of the landing of troops in Normandy. For a long time, its parts were considered “military secrets”, and the operation itself was declassified only in 1986 year. However, so far the unofficial and official versions of those events still drastically differ from each other. And, of course, in relation to a few early tragedies that occurred at Slepton Sands, which are generally kept silent about.
Nevertheless, the journalists of the newspaper The Observer (Britain) for many years have collected various testimonies of people who know the truth. And in the 2009 year, 16 May, an article was published in which they tried to answer whether the Allies killed hundreds of American soldiers under Slapton.
The situation was as follows: at that moment, when thousands of American soldiers rushed from the landing craft to the shore, they were met by heavy fire, which came from their own comrades, who played the role of the German defenders. For a strange, unknown, and incomprehensible reason, all these “Germans” were given a charged combat weapon.
Edwin Wolf, a lieutenant colonel from Baltimore (USA, Maryland), who followed and observed the landing, while at the observation post that was located nearby, said: "I was surprised by the moment that the infantrymen fell and then remained motionless."
A rain of bullets struck Hank Aaron (West Virginia), during the exercises he served as a driver for the general. H. Aaron barely managed to crawl out from under the fire.
Jim Corey (engineer of the army of Britain) saw how a huge number of American soldiers who rushed in a continuous stream from the landing craft were killed and "mowed down like pins." D. Corey then said: “Later we all learned that a monstrous error had occurred. They had to get a weapon that is loaded with idle. I counted at least 150 dead bodies before I could get out of there. ”
The picture that D. Corey saw that day tormented him to the end of his life (he died in 2003 year). And, as his wife Mary assures, “he always believed that he would receive an official response”.
Also, any official explanations about the tragedy desperately wanted to get and Maurice Lund (London firefighter), who recorded on the tape of the tape story about the bodies of American soldiers who remained on the waves of the surf.
But be that as it may, in the official documents of the army there is not a single mention of the dead bodies at Slepton Sands. However, the Pentagon also never mentioned the victims in Devon.
There is one more mysterious detail, namely: where did all the dead Slepton Sands go? The then head of the railway station in Kingsbridge (eight kilometers from Slepton Sands) claims that in 1944, in July-August, three trains were equipped and secretly loaded and removed the bodies of American soldiers. The said trains "were completely packed with people who had been dug up from mass graves" - this is also noted by Ken Williams (local railways historian). He commented: “The dead were dug up much after the so-called“ Day-D ”. One of my friends was well acquainted with the person who participated in this exhumation. And now he's long dead. ”
George Williams (father of the historian) served in the Royal Navy during the war. He said that the sailors then also saw the dead bodies of hundreds of dead, whom the waves threw ashore.
Outside the strip of the beach, in the desert fields there is ample space for graves. And there is no doubt that eyewitnesses to this action could take place. Suspicions that the Americans had secretly buried the dead around the nearby Blackout, were 20 years ago.
Dorothy Sikinz, the daughter of a baker who supplied the troops with bread during the exercises, claimed that she saw with her own eyes whole trucks full of the bodies of soldiers of the American army who were buried near the village. Her description of the place of burial and the circumstances completely coincides with the story of Francis Berden (the farmer) - another eyewitness that supplied the milk to the Americans. One morning, in the 1944 year, in the month of April, he overcame a narrow path that led from Blackouton, and suddenly saw the US military dig a giant pit. He also saw large boxes in which people could easily fit. These boxes stood nearby. It is worth noting that today a small hill towers over this place.
At the end of the war, the field became owned by Nolan Topoup (a farmer), who was asked about the graves of American soldiers on his land before his death. N. Tope said: “Dorothy Sykings knew only a minimal amount of the entire amount of information. I swore to carry this mystery to the grave. ” Actually, he did.
Ken Small (local author), who wrote The Forgotten Dead, which was dedicated to the truth about the deaths of those participating in the Tigris, denied any rumors about the 27 of April for a long time. And just before his death (March 2003 year), he confessed to a historian named Williams that Dorothy Sickings was absolutely right.
However, despite all these facts, stories and arguments, many people now do not want to believe that hundreds of American army soldiers could be buried in the quiet steppes of British Devon almost 70 years ago. Perhaps you can understand this stubborn skepticism. But how then to explain the story of Joyce Newby (rural girl), who said that in the spring of 1944, she helped to make hundreds of lids for coffins, working in a nearby forest warehouse? And she claims that the only ones for whom they were intended were those who died in Slapton under heavy fire.
And how to relate to the story of Harold Mc-Ollie (ex-employee of the USA), who carried the dead soldiers from the shore and then helped them to bury them in a mass grave. They all had almost black faces, all because of burns and oil.
However, all these eyewitness accounts, as well as skulls and bones found on the nearest beaches in Slapton, are not capable of shaking the absolute conviction and confidence of Americans that there was no tragedy in Slapton Sands. The Pentagon also refuses to confirm this story.
But relatives at the same time cherish the hope that one day the whole truth will come out. After all, after the 40 years passed, the truth about the death of the T-4 convoy was revealed, it is quite possible that people will also soon learn about Slepton Sandz, even if it takes 40 more years. Nevertheless, this year in April, 27 numbers, in Slepton Sands served a prayer service for the repose of 749 souls by US soldiers who were recognized as victims of the tragedy called “The Tiger Teachings”. However, the true number of dead soldiers in the disaster that occurred in 1944, 27 in April, is still unknown today ...
Over the existing stories Wars There are similar incidents when their kill their own. However, in the history of 2-th World War until today, there are numerous gaps, such "white spots", and all the information that can shed light on them, everything is under the heading "Secret." One of the most terrifying and tragic pages of this war is directly related to the British Devon.
Tank Sherman - a monument to those killed in Operation Tiger
It is known that the Allies delayed the opening of the second front up to 1944 year (summer). And before these events, Day-D operation (landing in Normandy), which took place on June 6, was thoroughly tested.
However, before that, another day happened, namely: April 27 1944, when the United States "rehearsed" this landing in the south of Britain. And a lot of young American men in uniform were killed near Slapton Sands (Devon, Britain). Note that these were only teachings.
Almost all the participants and witnesses of those events that took place more than 60 years ago, are already in the grave. Nevertheless, it was still possible to collect materials on this tragic event. On that very day, the waters at Slapton Sands were stained with blood, countless dead bodies swayed on the surface, and all of them were then laid on the sandy shore. And then buried in a mass grave. And all these guys fell at their hands! The authorities' acknowledgment of what happened on that day, April 27 of 1944, in Devon, has never been heard.
According to official data, all the victims were “written off” as an Allied convoy (codename T-4), which was unexpectedly attacked by 28 on April 1944, by German boats. It is known that at least 700 people were killed off the coast of Dorset. And, by the way, this is the very operation that is called the "Tiger" - that is, the dress rehearsal of the landing of troops in Normandy. For a long time, its parts were considered “military secrets”, and the operation itself was declassified only in 1986 year. However, so far the unofficial and official versions of those events still drastically differ from each other. And, of course, in relation to a few early tragedies that occurred at Slepton Sands, which are generally kept silent about.
Nevertheless, the journalists of the newspaper The Observer (Britain) for many years have collected various testimonies of people who know the truth. And in the 2009 year, 16 May, an article was published in which they tried to answer whether the Allies killed hundreds of American soldiers under Slapton.
The situation was as follows: at that moment, when thousands of American soldiers rushed from the landing craft to the shore, they were met by heavy fire, which came from their own comrades, who played the role of the German defenders. For a strange, unknown, and incomprehensible reason, all these “Germans” were given a charged combat weapon.
Edwin Wolf, a lieutenant colonel from Baltimore (USA, Maryland), who followed and observed the landing, while at the observation post that was located nearby, said: "I was surprised by the moment that the infantrymen fell and then remained motionless."
A rain of bullets struck Hank Aaron (West Virginia), during the exercises he served as a driver for the general. H. Aaron barely managed to crawl out from under the fire.
Jim Corey (engineer of the army of Britain) saw how a huge number of American soldiers who rushed in a continuous stream from the landing craft were killed and "mowed down like pins." D. Corey then said: “Later we all learned that a monstrous error had occurred. They had to get a weapon that is loaded with idle. I counted at least 150 dead bodies before I could get out of there. ”
The picture that D. Corey saw that day tormented him to the end of his life (he died in 2003 year). And, as his wife Mary assures, “he always believed that he would receive an official response”.
Also, any official explanations about the tragedy desperately wanted to get and Maurice Lund (London firefighter), who recorded on the tape of the tape story about the bodies of American soldiers who remained on the waves of the surf.
But be that as it may, in the official documents of the army there is not a single mention of the dead bodies at Slepton Sands. However, the Pentagon also never mentioned the victims in Devon.
There is one more mysterious detail, namely: where did all the dead Slepton Sands go? The then head of the railway station in Kingsbridge (eight kilometers from Slepton Sands) claims that in 1944, in July-August, three trains were equipped and secretly loaded and removed the bodies of American soldiers. The said trains "were completely packed with people who had been dug up from mass graves" - this is also noted by Ken Williams (local railways historian). He commented: “The dead were dug up much after the so-called“ Day-D ”. One of my friends was well acquainted with the person who participated in this exhumation. And now he's long dead. ”
George Williams (father of the historian) served in the Royal Navy during the war. He said that the sailors then also saw the dead bodies of hundreds of dead, whom the waves threw ashore.
Outside the strip of the beach, in the desert fields there is ample space for graves. And there is no doubt that eyewitnesses to this action could take place. Suspicions that the Americans had secretly buried the dead around the nearby Blackout, were 20 years ago.
Dorothy Sikinz, the daughter of a baker who supplied the troops with bread during the exercises, claimed that she saw with her own eyes whole trucks full of the bodies of soldiers of the American army who were buried near the village. Her description of the place of burial and the circumstances completely coincides with the story of Francis Berden (the farmer) - another eyewitness that supplied the milk to the Americans. One morning, in the 1944 year, in the month of April, he overcame a narrow path that led from Blackouton, and suddenly saw the US military dig a giant pit. He also saw large boxes in which people could easily fit. These boxes stood nearby. It is worth noting that today a small hill towers over this place.
At the end of the war, the field became owned by Nolan Topoup (a farmer), who was asked about the graves of American soldiers on his land before his death. N. Tope said: “Dorothy Sykings knew only a minimal amount of the entire amount of information. I swore to carry this mystery to the grave. ” Actually, he did.
Ken Small (local author), who wrote The Forgotten Dead, which was dedicated to the truth about the deaths of those participating in the Tigris, denied any rumors about the 27 of April for a long time. And just before his death (March 2003 year), he confessed to a historian named Williams that Dorothy Sickings was absolutely right.
However, despite all these facts, stories and arguments, many people now do not want to believe that hundreds of American army soldiers could be buried in the quiet steppes of British Devon almost 70 years ago. Perhaps you can understand this stubborn skepticism. But how then to explain the story of Joyce Newby (rural girl), who said that in the spring of 1944, she helped to make hundreds of lids for coffins, working in a nearby forest warehouse? And she claims that the only ones for whom they were intended were those who died in Slapton under heavy fire.
And how to relate to the story of Harold Mc-Ollie (ex-employee of the USA), who carried the dead soldiers from the shore and then helped them to bury them in a mass grave. They all had almost black faces, all because of burns and oil.
However, all these eyewitness accounts, as well as skulls and bones found on the nearest beaches in Slapton, are not capable of shaking the absolute conviction and confidence of Americans that there was no tragedy in Slapton Sands. The Pentagon also refuses to confirm this story.
But relatives at the same time cherish the hope that one day the whole truth will come out. After all, after the 40 years passed, the truth about the death of the T-4 convoy was revealed, it is quite possible that people will also soon learn about Slepton Sandz, even if it takes 40 more years. Nevertheless, this year in April, 27 numbers, in Slepton Sands served a prayer service for the repose of 749 souls by US soldiers who were recognized as victims of the tragedy called “The Tiger Teachings”. However, the true number of dead soldiers in the disaster that occurred in 1944, 27 in April, is still unknown today ...
Information