Royal Logistic Corps Landing Craft L113
Exercise "Smash" was a series of live fire beach assault training exercises in preparation for the D-Day landings. "Smash I" took place on the 4 April 1944, and taking part in the exercise were a number of Valentine DD amphibious tanks of the 4th / 7th Royal Dragoon Guards. Shortly after deploying from their landing crafts, 6 of the Valentine's were swamped by the sea and sank. Six crewmen lost their lives.
To commemorate the 60th anniversary, over the weekend of the 3rd - 4th April 2004, a wreath was laid from a Royal Marine landing craft anchored in Studland Bay, and a Memorial Plaque unveiled at Fort Henry, overlooking the Bay.
A working example of a Valentine DD, together with a Sherman BARV and Churchill AVRE disembarked on to the beach, from a Royal Logistic Corps Landing Craft.
Royal Logistic Corps Landing Craft L113
Exercise "Smash" was a series of live fire beach assault training exercises in preparation for the D-Day landings. "Smash I" took place on the 4 April 1944, and taking part in the exercise were a number of Valentine DD amphibious tanks of the 4th / 7th Royal Dragoon Guards. Shortly after deploying from their landing crafts, 6 of the Valentine's were swamped by the sea and sank. Six crewmen lost their lives.
To commemorate the 60th anniversary, over the weekend of the 3rd - 4th April 2004, a wreath was laid from a Royal Marine landing craft anchored in Studland Bay, and a Memorial Plaque unveiled at Fort Henry, overlooking the Bay.
A working example of a Valentine DD, together with a Sherman BARV and Churchill AVRE disembarked on to the beach, from a Royal Logistic Corps Landing Craft.