The Evacuation of the South Hams Dart History


A


s part of the necessary preparation for the successful invasion of German occupied France, it was vitally important that all troops had to


undergo a series of training schedules and then full-scale exercises under conditions as near resembling those of the five landing points in Normandy as possible. Slapton Sands and the immediate landward area was


one of four major exercise areas designated for specialised use with live ammunition. Hayling Island, Bracklesham Bay and Littlehampston were the three other main training areas which came under strict military rule from the end of 1943 to the autumn of 1944. Slapton Sands with its small ley, low cliffs at either end of the flat coast road was not all that dissimilar from the beach and cliffs code named Utah west of the River Vire in Normandy. It was smaller, had fewer fortifications but was well away from German planes crossing the Channel towards the more populated areas of England.


A notice of requisition was passed to the Devon County Council under the Defence Regulations Act of 1939 specifying that a certain area of the South Hams was to be fully evacuated of civilians and livestock by the 20th


December, 1943. This gave six


weeks notice for the moving of about 750 families, comprising about 3,000 people, 180 farms, villages, shops, etc. Some 30,000 acres would have to be cleared in these weeks so that troops could move in and start setting up camps, defence points and ringing the area with guards. The area took in the villages


Russell Lucas is collecting the last few items from a house in the narrows at Chillington. All the houses were locked up as the owners left and they were told that no one would go into them. However many of them were used and left in poor condition.


All movable possessions from homes, shops and farms were to be taken and useable crops still in the land could be removed. Nothing was to be left apart from empty buildings and churches.


of Torcross, Stokenham, Chillington, Sherford, East Allington, Blackawton, Strete and Slapton and many


hamlets. The requisitioned land covered the coast from just north of Strete to just south of Torcross and formed a diamond like area. All movable possessions from homes, shops and farms were to be taken and useable crops still in the land could be removed. Nothing was to be left apart from empty buildings and churches. Meetings were convened in the


various village halls telling people of the plans and how they could get help in the form of packing cases, transport and food and assistance with the actual work of handling heavy


furniture, farm equipment and livestock. The people were naturally taken back by the order to evacuate but it was wartime and almost anything could take place. Plymouth had suffered a devastating blitz, young children were living in the area as evacuees, husbands were at war so this move, it was explained, however difficult, upsetting and inconvenient it would be was necessary and would make a very practical contribution to training troops to win the war. Two information centres were set up at Blackawton and


G.I.s help with the packing of a very delicate rood screen in one of the churches. Many of these screens were riddled with wood worm and were extremely fragile.


Stokenham and staffed by the Women’s Voluntary Service. Help was forthcoming from many people throughout Devon and offers of accommodation given while farmers roundabout shared fields and equipment with those who lost their land. Advice was given about obtaining help, seeking alternative accommodation and storing furniture and goods. Emergency kitchens were able to supply meals to those in the middle of moving; transport, in one way or another, was made available for moving out tons of domestic and farming goods to many parts of the West Country.


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