Finding Aid for the Eugene E. Eckstam "Exercise Tiger" Collection, 1944-2004
MS-2638University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN
Collection processed by: Rachel Tinker, November 7, 2005
Finding Aid written by: Rachel Tinker, November 7, 2005
Encoded by: Rachel Tinker, November 7, 2005
Summary Information
Eugene E. Eckstam "Exercise Tiger" Collection
Date/Date Range : 1944-2004
8.0 linear feet
Abstract: The Eugene E. Eckstam "Exercise Tiger" Collection, 1944-2004, consists of Dr. Eckstam's research efforts concerning Exercise Tiger, a practice invasion in April, 1944 to prepare troops for D-Day in World War II. Dr. Eckstam's research includes national and military archives, newspaper clippings, television specials, memoirs from surviving participants, as well as correspondence, photographs, travel brochures and information and maps.
MS-2638
University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN
Access and Use
This collection was donated to Special Collections by Eugene E. Eckstam on June 25, 2004.
Collection is open for research.
The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.
[Identification of Item], Eugene E. Eckstam Exercise Tiger Collection, MS-2638. The Special Collections Library of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Arrangement
Collection consists of nine boxes, including one oversized box. Material is divided into nine series: Research Materials from the United Kingdom; Correspondence in Alphabetical Order; Summaries of Key Information Compiled for Reunions, Articles, and Memoirs; Photos and Miscellaneous Information; Army Morning Reports and Burial Information; Archive Copies: Burial Lists, Graves, Normandy and Tiger Plans, Exercise Fox; Military and LST Information; Key Information, including graves, newsletters, news articles, television specials, reunions, etc; and Reunions, Photographs, and Miscellaneous.
Biography / History
Dr. Eugene Eckstam was a doctor for the Navy during World War II. Dr. Eckstam attended medical school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In January 1944, Dr. Eckstam was assigned to LST 507, a participant in Exercise Tiger. Dr. Eckstam was discharged from the Navy in May, 1946. He then began work at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Eckstam transferred to Monroe Clinic, near Madison, Wisconsin, his hometown. In 1984 he saw a program on television commemorating the 40th Anniversary of D-Day. A year later, he was contacted by a shipmate about a reunion for LST survivors. The program and the contact encouraged Dr. Eckstam to research the clouds of mystery surrounding the fatal Exercise Tiger incident.
Exercise Tiger began as a top secret naval operation to prepare Army and Navy troops for the invasion of Normandy on D-Day. On April 28, 1944 Exercise Tiger set out to practice invasion by landing on Slapton Sands, a beach on the English coast. Unfortunately, before the convoy made it to the beach, it was attacked by German E-Boats. Two LST's (Tank Landing Ships) were sunk, one of which carried Dr. Eugene Eckstam. Another LST was seriously injured, and several hundred men died in the freezing waters.
Later reports about Exercise Tiger claim that the United States Government made hearty attempts to cover up the attack. Rumors also circulated that several mass graves on Slapton Sands contained the bodies of many of the men who died during Exercise Tiger. Dr. Eckstam's research sought to uncover the truth about what really happened in Exercise Tiger. In doing so, Dr. Eckstam has successfully debunked the previously stated rumors.
Collection Scope and Content Note
The Eugene E. Eckstam "Exercise Tiger" Collection, 1944-2004, contains a wide array of information that assisted Dr. Eckstam in his search for the truth about Exercise Tiger. Included in the information are maps, national archives, letters, newspaper clippings, memoirs, reunion information, anniversary celebrations, and countless other resources. In presenting this gift to Special Collections, Dr. Eckstam organized these materials in a logical way. He also labeled each set and subset of materials. These labels and classifications have been preserved in processing this collection.
The collection consists of nine series. Series I contains research materials from the United Kingdom. Series II contains Correspondence. Series III contains summaries of key information compiled for perusal at reunions. It also contains articles and memoirs by Dr. Eckstam. Series IV contains photos and miscellaneous information. Series V contains Army Morning Reports and Burial Information. Series VI contains National Archives. Series VII contains various military and LST information. Series VIII contains key information, including graves, newsletters, news articles, television specials, reunions, etc. Series IX contains reunion information, photos, and other miscellaneous research. Series X, the Oversize Series, contains oversized items removed from Series I.
Subject Terms
- World War, 1939-1945 -- D-Day
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Exercise Tiger
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- United States -- Armed Forces -- History -- World War, 1939-1945
Contents List
| |
|
Series I: Research Materials from the United Kingdom, 1944-1999
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
1
|
Public Records Copies, 1944
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
2
|
War Department Historical Manuscript File Documents, 1946
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
3
|
Correspondence, 1993-1994
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
4
|
Newspaper Clippings, 1987-1994
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
5
|
Original Special Edition Newspapers, 1994
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
6
|
50th Anniversary Magazines, 1994
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
7
|
Book Excerpts, 1992-1999
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
8
|
Maps, 1982
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
9
|
Travel Plans and Museum Brochures, 1994
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
10
|
Notes, 1993
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
11
|
Negatives of the Bridge Approaching the Base Area, 1944
|
| |
|
Series II: Correspondence in Alphabetical Order, 1944-2002
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
12
|
A, 1985-2000
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
13
|
B, 1987-1999
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
14
|
C, 1944-2002
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
15
|
D, 1944-1999
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
16
|
Dive-BR, 1993-1995
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
17
|
E, 1989-2002
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
18
|
England Trip, 1999
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
19
|
Grant Lee Ship LST, 1991
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
20
|
F, 1987-1998
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
21
|
G, 1987-1999
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
22
|
H, 1985-2001
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
22
|
I, 1994-1998
|
| Box
1
|
Folder
23
|
J, 1989-1998
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
1
|
K, 1984-1998
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
2
|
Kaska, 1954-2002
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
3
|
L, 1984-2001
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
4
|
Chas Harrison, 1997
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
5
|
Mc, 1988-1999
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
6
|
Marusa, 1992-1993
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
7
|
M, 1985-1994
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
8
|
M, 1944-2003
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
9
|
N, 1944-1998
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
10
|
O, 1944-2000
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
11
|
P, 1985-1993
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
12
|
P, 1993-2003
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
13
|
Portland Docks, 1998
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
14
|
Q, 1995
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
15
|
R, 1944-1991
|
| Box
2
|
Folder
16
|
R, 1992-1999
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
1
|
S, 1984-1989
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
2
|
S, 1990-1994
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
3
|
S, 1995-1999
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
4
|
T, 1985-1999
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
5
|
U, 1987-1999
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
6
|
V, 1987-1997
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
7
|
W, 1987-1999
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
8
|
Y, 1991-1995
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
9
|
Z, 1993
|
| |
|
Series III: Summaries of Key Information Compiled for Reunions, Articles, and Memoirs, 1944-1995
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
10
|
"Exercise Tiger: No Cover-up! No Mass Grave!," 1990
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
11
|
"Died in Action" Disposition, 1944-1988
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
12
|
"507 Official Reports," 1944-1984
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
13
|
LST 507 Death Roster, January 1 - March 31, 1944
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
14
|
"Navy Medicine," 1994
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
15
|
John Doyle Memorial, 1985-1990
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
16
|
Exercise Tiger Radio Messages, 1944
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
17
|
Harlander and Kaska Reports, 1944-1986
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
18
|
Washington D.C. and Los Angeles Newspaper Articles, 1995
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
19
|
"The Vicarage Base Plymouth: Then and Now," 1944-1994
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
20
|
"Facts about Exercise Tiger," 1984-1992
|
| |
|
Series IV: Photos and Miscellaneous Information, 1944-2000
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
21
|
Cosgrove/Meurer Publications, 1990
|
| Box
3
|
Folder
22
|
Reunion Photographs, 1984-1995
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
1
|
Reunion Photographs, 1984-1991
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
2
|
Edward McBride Correspondence, 1995
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
3
|
507 Personal Experiences, 1984-1988
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
4
|
Exercise Tiger Memorial Plaque, 50th Anniversary, 1944 April 28
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
5
|
Normandy Veterans' Association Stained Glass, LST and Landing Craft Association Emblem, 1991
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
6
|
Naval Records, Navy Medicine Publication, 1944-1999
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
7
|
Miscellaneous Letters, etc., 1994-1999
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
8
|
Bernard Skahill Information, 1983-1995
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
9
|
Other LST's in Exercise Tiger, 1944-1998
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
10
|
Logs, 1944
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
11
|
50th Anniversary Tour, 1994
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
12
|
Address List, 2000
|
| |
|
Series V: Army Morning Reports and Burial Information, 1944-1998
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
13
|
Army Morning Reports, 1944
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
14
|
Personal Memoirs from Veterans, 1988-1998
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
15
|
The Land Girls Newspaper Clippings from Western Morning News, 1998
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
16
|
U.S. Army Military History Institute Papers, 1943-1996
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
17
|
Dale Rodman Correspondence, 1995-1996
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
18
|
Andrew Krizanosky Correspondence, 1996
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
19
|
Western Morning News Clippings, 1997
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
20
|
National Archives, 1944
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
21
|
Southworth Records, 1992
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
22
|
George Woodbridge Correspondence, 1992
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
23
|
Carlisle Barracks Information, 1991-1992
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
24
|
Emmett Bailey, Jr. Correspondence, 1992
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
25
|
Milwaukee Journal, Sunday, 1944 April 10
|
| Box
4
|
Folder
26
|
Army Morning Reports, St. Louis, 1944
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
1
|
National Archives, Acquired 1992, 1944
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
2
|
National Archives, Acquired 1996, 1944
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
3
|
Army Morning Reports, 1944
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
4
|
Army Declassified Reports, 1944
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
5
|
Official LST 507 Roster, 1944
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
6
|
Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1986-1991
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
7
|
Army Morning Reports, 1944
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
8
|
National Archives, Miscellaneous Notes and Correspondence, 1944-1992
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
9
|
Miscellaneous Official Documents, 1944
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
10
|
Burial Data and Miscellaneous Information, 1944-1998
|
| |
|
Series VI: Archive Copies: Burial Lists, Graves, Normandy and Tiger Plans, Exercise Fox, 1943-1944
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
11
|
U.S. Army Services of Supply Records, 1944
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
12
|
Sources from the Historian of the Army's Quartermaster General, 1943-1944
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
13
|
Pre-Invasion Plans, 1944
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
14
|
Exercise Tiger Plans, 1943
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
15
|
Archival Reports, 1944
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
16
|
Archival Reports, 1943
|
| Box
5
|
Folder
17
|
Weekly Burial Reports, 1944
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
1
|
Exercise Duck II, 1944
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
2
|
Exercise Duck II, 1944
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
3
|
Lessons Learned: Exercise Duck Training, England, 29th Infantry Division, 1943-1944
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
4
|
Lessons Learned: Exercise Duck Training, England, 29th Infantry Division, 1943-1944
|
| |
|
Series VII: Military and LST Information, 1944-2001
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
5
|
U.S. Army Veteran's Association, 1992
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
6
|
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, 1981
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
7
|
U.S. LST Association: How Your LST Was Built, 1990
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
8
|
U.S. Naval Institute Photograph and Information, 1993
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
9
|
Herb Davis Correspondence, 1990
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
10
|
Maps of London, Great Britain, and Ireland, 1981-1990
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
11
|
Company Morning Reports, 1944
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
12
|
Sources, 1944-1996
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
13
|
Sources, 1947-1998
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
14
|
Navy Yard, 1984-1988
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
15
|
Loading Tables, 1944-1990
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
16
|
German Information, 1944-2001
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
17
|
Facts, Maps, and Newspaper Clippings, 1944-1996
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
18
|
Archive Information, 1944-1996
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
19
|
Planning Rules and Protocols, 1944
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
20
|
Reports on Attack, 1944-1997
|
| Box
6
|
Folder
21
|
Burial Lists, 1944-1990
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
1
|
Microfilm and Audio Tapes, 1944-1993
|
| |
|
Series VIII: Key Information, including graves, newsletters, news articles, television specials, reunions, etc., 1944-2004
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
2
|
Newspaper Coverage, 2004
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
3
|
Exercise Tiger Reunion Packet, 2003
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
4
|
Graves, 605, 1944-1991
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
5
|
Graves, 605, 1944-1991
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
6
|
Eckstam's Newsletters, 1985-2003
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
7
|
Andrews-Dahill Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1989-1993
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
8
|
Al Sickley Newspaper Clippings, 2003
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
9
|
News Articles, 1944-1990
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
10
|
News Stories, 1944-1994
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
11
|
Television Articles, 1946-1988
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
12
|
Pittsburgh Reunion, 1989
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
13
|
Information from the United Kingdom, 1944-1984
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
14
|
507 and 531 Data, 1944-1985
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
15
|
Printouts, 1944-1981
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
16
|
Pentagon Papers, 1995-1996
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
17
|
Oral Interviews, Undated
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
18
|
"The Kedge Hook," 1993
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
19
|
"What Happened Off Devon," 1951-1987
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
20
|
Miscellaneous Papers, 1994
|
| Box
7
|
Folder
21
|
Mr. and Mrs. Manny Rubin Papers, 1944-1996
|
| |
|
Series IX: Reunions, Photographs, and Miscellaneous, 1944-2004
|
| Box
8
|
Folder
1
|
Government E-Boat Files, 1944
|
| Box
8
|
Folder
2
|
Army Loading Tables, 1944
|
| Box
8
|
Folder
3
|
Miscellaneous Correspondence, 2004
|
| Box
8
|
Folder
4
|
National Geographic: Untold Stories of D-Day, 2002
|
| Box
8
|
Folder
5
|
LST Photos, 1944
|
| Box
8
|
Folder
6
|
Photos - 507, 1944
|
| Box
8
|
Folder
7
|
Photos of Officers, 1944
|
| Box
8
|
Folder
8
|
"Exercise Tiger: No Cover-up! No Mass Graves!," 1990
|
| Box
8
|
Folder
9
|
Reunion Photos, 1985-1995
|
| Box
8
|
Folder
10
|
Harold F. O'Connell Collection, 1944-1995
|
| Box
8
|
Folder
11
|
DVDs, 1994-1995
|
| Box
8
|
Folder
12
|
U.S. Archives Filmstrip NRS601, 1944
|
| |
|
Oversized Items, 1944
|
| Box
9
|
Folder
1
|
Public Records Copies, 1944
|
|
