Tank · lost 1944 · Dorset, United Kingdom
Valentine Tanks (Operation Smash)
Also known as Valentine Tanks, Studland Bay Tanks, Operation Smash Tanks.
Seven Valentine infantry tanks lie in the shallow waters of Studland Bay, left behind by the deadly rehearsals for D-Day. They went down in April 1944 during the top-secret Exercise "Operation Smash", when duplex-drive swimming modifications were on trial so that armour could float in to the Normandy beaches. The trials ended in tragedy: every one of the seven tanks sank, and six soldiers were killed.
The tanks rest between 8 and 16 metres, crusted over with marine growth, and the sea life living around them has claimed them as its own. Two carry permanent buoys and are spaced roughly five metres apart. The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with strict legal protections, so nothing on it may be touched. These training relics belong to one of the lesser-known tragedies of the war.
- Type
- TankBritish
- Lost
- April 1944Training exercise
- Casualties
- 6World War II — D-Day preparations
- Depth
- 8–16 m
- Location
- Dorset, United KingdomPoole Bay
1 of 5 facts above is cited in Sources below.
Deeper than 40 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.
- Position: Published positions differ between sources; the position shown follows the position policy. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).
History and LossLost April 1944 · Training exercise · World War II — D-Day preparations · Dorset, United Kingdom.
Seven Valentine infantry tanks sank during the top-secret D-Day training exercise "Operation Smash" in Studland Bay. Six soldiers were killed, only one body was recovered. The tanks were testing duplex-drive swimming modifications in preparation for the Normandy landings.
Lost April 1944, training exercise during World War II — D-Day preparations.
Condition of the WreckIntact, in 8–16 m.
Intactness
Most of the tanks remain intact. The site is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a strict "no touch, no take" policy applies. Permanent buoys mark Tanks No. 1 and No. 2, and the tanks lie approximately 5 metres from one another.
Notable Features
- Scheduled Ancient Monument
- D-Day training relics
- Tanks permanently buoyed
- Exceptional marine life colonisation
- Approximately 5m apart
Regulations and RestrictionsProtected site.
This is a legally protected site. Scheduled monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (Historic England (licences on behalf of the Secretary of State)).
Strict no touch, no take policy. Diving permitted but nothing may be disturbed or removed. Damage prompted police investigation.
Additional Details13 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.
- Nationality
- British
- Flag
- United Kingdom
- Loss date
- April 1944
- Conflict / event
- World War II — D-Day preparations
- Latitude
- 50.68° N
- Longitude
- 1.91° W
- Water body
- Poole Bay
- Protection regime
- Scheduled Ancient Monument — National Heritage List for England
- Artefact restrictions
- Strict no touch, no take policy. Diving permitted but nothing may be disturbed or removed. Damage prompted police investigation.
- War grave
- No
- Protected
- Yes
- Permit required
- No
- Condition
- Intact
Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.
- hbsmrweb-dorset-staging.esdm.co.ukhbsmrweb-dorset-staging.esdm.co.uk · Secondary source4 facts
- bookings.kyarra.combookings.kyarra.com · Secondary source3 facts
- swanage.newsswanage.news · Secondary source3 facts
- Atlas Obscuraatlasobscura.com · Secondary source1 fact
- Divernetdivernet.com · Club or operator1 fact
A further 3 fields were derived from the wreck’s recorded position rather than taken from a source.
Licences and credits for the open data used on this site are on the Attribution page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Valentine Tanks (Operation Smash)?
Valentine Tanks (Operation Smash) is the wreck of a tank, off Dorset, United Kingdom, at 16 metres. Valentine Tanks (Operation Smash) was lost during a training exercise in 1944.
How deep is the Valentine Tanks (Operation Smash)?
Valentine Tanks (Operation Smash) lies at 8 to 16 metres, Studland Bay, Dorset.
How did the Valentine Tanks (Operation Smash) sink?
Valentine Tanks (Operation Smash) was lost during a training exercise on April 1944 during World War II — D-Day preparations, off Dorset, United Kingdom. 6 people lost their lives.
Is the Valentine Tanks (Operation Smash) protected?
Yes. Valentine Tanks (Operation Smash) is protected: scheduled monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (Historic England (licences on behalf of the Secretary of State)).