Wartime tragedy and romance are the focus of a day which remembers an area's key role in preparations for the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe in 1944.
Dive into D-Day on Sunday, October 1 marks the first season of an underwater archaeology project to research and record the remains of Valentine amphibious tanks which sank at Studland Bay during rehearsals for the invasion itself.
It also sees book signings by event co-ordinator Jane Cable, author of Another You, a literary romance connected to Studland’s wartime past, as well as a guided walk and talks.
The Isle of Purbeck Sub Aqua Club this year began diving on the remains of seven Valentine Duplex Drive (DD) tanks which still lie on the seabed off Studland.
They sank with the loss of six lives in April 1944 while taking part in Operation Smash, the main dress rehearsal for D-Day.
The club will be displaying its findings so far in a photographic exhibition as part of the Valentine 75 project which takes place in the run-up to the 75th anniversary of Operation Smash in 2019.
Jane Cable became interested in Studland’s Second World War history when she started to look into possible backgrounds for her novel.
Jane Cable's book Another You
She said: “I wanted to organise the event to bring together some of the fascinating people who are helping to better understand this period and the important role Studland played during the war.
“When the National Trust asked me to do a book signing I thought this could be so much more and luckily all the people who helped me to research the history behind the book are available to take part.”
This free event starts at 11am with a guided walk led by Jane and National Trust ranger Stewart Rainbird around Studland’s main Second World War locations, including Fort Henry where Winston Churchill, King George VI and General Dwight D. Eisenhower watched part of Operation Smash on 18 April, 1944.
Stewart said: “You cannot walk far on Studland without being reminded of the things that happened here during the Second World War, particularly in the run up to D-Day.
“The 1 hour 30 minute walk will bring to life the wealth of wartime archaeology that’s here and give you a chance to walk in the shoes of the soldiers and the masters of war who spent time here.”
At 12.30pm and again at 3.30pm Jane will be signing copies of her book at the visitor centre.
From 1.30pm to 3.30pm there is a series of short talks by Jane, Stewart, Nick Reed of the Valentine 75 Project and John Pearson, whose painstakingly restored Valentine DD tank last visited Studland in 2014.
The tragedy of Operation Smash was kept secret for decades but John was the driving force behind a memorial to those who died which has stood at Fort Henry since the 60th anniversary in 2004.
The National Trust visitor centre at Knoll Beach is off Ferry Road, Studland. For directions and more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-bay
Event programme
11am - Guided walk with Stewart Rainbird – Walking Studland’s WWII past– 1h30 walk and talk, wear suitable shoes and clothes for weather
11am – 16.30 – Display by Isle of Purbeck Sub Aqua Club and Archdrone
12.30 – Jane Cable book signing
13.30 –15.30 Series of short talks with Jane Cable, Stewart Rainbird, John Pearson & Nick Reed
15.30pm - Jane Cable book signing
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