Not many history buffs know about Slapton Sands. It is a memorial on the southern shores of England to a tragic memory from the past.

On April 28, 1944, the Allies were preparing for the Normandy invasion known as D-Day. They were engaged in Operation Tiger, a training exercise in amphibious beach landings. The military knew that practice made all the difference when the real thing began.

Suddenly, enemy gunboats appeared and killed over 700 American servicemen in a surprise attack. Today, a monument stands on Slapton Sands to commemorate the sacrifice of those young men who died while training for battle but were never able to enter the conflict.

Like those soldiers, we face an enemy who hides himself and seeks our undoing. That’s why Paul told us to keep on the whole armor of God. Peter also said, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Stay on your toes and prayed up.

Tags: spiritual warfare, World War II