ONE of the last remaining Valentine Tanks has been on display at Studland Beach, as part of commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the D-Day rehearsal Operation Smash.

Historians and divers at the Isle of Purbeck Sub Aqua Club (IPSAC) have been working on the Valentine 75 project for around two years.

The National Trust is also working to mark the milestone.

Currently, an exhibition in partnership with the IPSAC, the National Trust and Bournemouth University is on display at the Discovery Centre, Knoll Beach, Studland.

The working Valentine Tank is also on display, courtesy of owner Jon Pearson.

Operation Smash was carried out off Studland, on April 4, 1944, as a dress rehearsal for the D-Day landings.

During the exercise, which was the largest live firing exercise of World War II, seven amphibious 'Valentine' tanks sunk, with the loss of six lives.

The Valentine 75 Project was launched to map the history of these tanks and the men that died.

  • The Bournemouth Daily Echo and the Dorset Echo will be producing a special D-Day commemorative magazine, which will be available next month.