[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H1853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page H1853]]



  TRIBUTE TO 53RD ANNIVERSARY OF WORLD WAR II EXERCISE TIGER OPERATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Hulshof] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a group of great and 
honorable Americans. On Monday, April 28, the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
Post 280 in Columbia, Missouri, will pay tribute to the 53d anniversary 
of the World War II Exercise Tiger operation, in which more than 750 
Americans made the ultimate sacrifice.
  Few Americans are aware of the circumstances surrounding the Exercise 
Tiger operation. What began as a top-secret military operation ended in 
a horrible moment frozen in time. In December 1943, the U.S. Army began 
conducting a number of training exercises in preparation for the 
Normandy invasion. These exercises concentrated on a long stretch of 
beach at Slapton Sands in Devon, England. This unspoiled beach of 
coarse gravel greatly resembled Omaha Beach, and it consequently made 
for an ideal simulation of what would be the D-day invasion.
  Soldiers engaging in these maneuvers were under constant threat of 
attack, however, due to the many German E-boats patrolling the English 
Channel. One such exercise was utilized to prepare United States and 
British forces and was given the code name Exercise Tiger. These 
training exercises were conducted from April 22 to 30, 1944. The troops 
and equipment who participated in this maneuver embarked on the same 
ships and for the most part from the same ports from which they would 
later leave for France.
  In the early morning hours of April 28, 1944, the convoy was 
maneuvering in Lyme Bay. Eight landing ship tanks and their lone 
British escort were en route to the landing area. Suddenly, in the 
pitch black night, nine German Navy E-boats patrolling the English 
Channel struck quickly and without warning. The presence of enemy boats 
was discovered only when the U.S.S. LST-507 was torpedoed. The ship 
burst into flames and survivors abandoned ship. Minutes later, the LST-
531 was torpedoed and sank in 6 minutes. As the convoy returned fire, 
the U.S.S. LST-289 was also torpedoed, but was able to reach port.
  The surprise German attack did not, however, stop Exercise Tiger. 
Landing operations resumed the next day, on April 29, 1944. This is a 
credit to the tenacity and determination of the soldiers and sailors 
involved in Exercise Tiger. The D-day invasion of Normandy occurred as 
planned. However, casualty information and the details surrounding 
Exercise Tiger were not released until after the Normandy invasion in 
an attempt to keep the Germans from learning about the impending 
attack.

                              {time}  1630

  I believe, Mr. Speaker, it is time we recognize these brave men. Of 
the 4,000 man force, nearly a quarter were missing or dead. Official 
Department of Defense records confirm 749 dead, at least 441 Army and 
198 Navy casualties, although facts suggest the numbers could be 
greater.
  Mr. Speaker, it is finally time that we acknowledge the indispensable 
role that members of Exercise Tiger played in preparing for the D-day 
invasion and in making it a success. To that end, I am proud to 
acknowledge VFW Post 280 as the first organization in the State of 
Missouri to commemorate the men of the historic battle of Exercise 
Tiger. After 53 years these great Americans deserve to be properly 
honored by those who have benefited so much from their sacrifices.

Congressional Resolution Recognizing the Heroic Efforts and Sacrifices 
 of the American Servicemen Who Took Part in Exercise Tiger and their 
Contributions Toward the Success of the Historic D-Day Invasion During 
                              World War II

       Whereas the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, was 
     one of the most heroic battles of World War II and a critical 
     turning point leading to Allied victory;
       Whereas during the Exercise Tiger training mission for D-
     Day, members of the operation were exposed to great danger by 
     carrying out this treacherous exercise in the English Channel 
     during a period of increased German torpedo boat patrols;
       Whereas on April 28, 1944, soldiers and sailors of the 
     Exercise Tiger mission were unexpectedly attacked by 9 German 
     Torpedo boats off the coast of Slapton Sands, England;
       Whereas 749 American soldiers were killed in the attack;
       Whereas the heroic efforts of these soldiers have not been 
     sufficiently recognized in American history;
       Whereas the United States Congress has not provided 
     adequate recognition to sailors and soldiers who participated 
     in Exercise Tiger; and
       Whereas April 28, 1997 will be the 53rd anniversary of the 
     tragedy of Exercise Tiger: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, that the American Servicemen who took part in 
     Exercise Tiger be recognized for their contributions towards 
     the success of the historic D-Day invasion during World War 
     II, preserving the virtues of freedom and democracy.

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