Sunken D-Day tank damaged by reckless divers
An amphibious tank that sank during D-Day rehearsals in Dorset was extensively damaged by reckless divers, investigations have revealed.
The turret and cannon were knocked off the top of the protected Duplex Drive Valentine tank during a botched attempt to illegally move a buoy that was marking it.
The heavy turret fell onto the seabed next to the tank which had been sealed shut since it sank in 60ft of water in Studland Bay nearly 80 years ago.
The damage left the interior of the tracked vehicle, also a potential war grave because six men drowned during the disastrous exercise in April 1944, exposed to the salt water.
It was discovered when other recreational divers visited the wreck site in September last year. Since then, marine archaeologists from Bournemouth University have visited the tank to investigate. They also covered the top with sandbags to try to conserve the contents.
Historic England, which manages the underwater scheduled monument, said the site is now less attractive to recreational divers, who will be put off from visiting it in the future.
Dorset Police launched an investigation into the report of criminal damage, but that has concluded without any offenders being identified.
