Underwater dream machine

As a child Peter Robbins dreamed of exploring the ocean depths, as an adult he conjured his vision to life assembling the submarine that would allow him to explore the sunken wreckage of World War II-era German U-boats. Armed with nothing more than staunch determination, parts scavenged from the local shipyard, off-the-shelf components, and a plan, Robbins set about fashioning his very own submarine. Christened the "Alicia," Robbins' ship allowed him to explore the U-boats which, as a child, inspired him to pursue a career in engineering. Consisting of more than 2 million parts and budgeted at an astronomical $1.5 million, the boat not only allowed Robbins to achieve a lifelong goal, but inspired him to investigate the possibility of encouraging underwater tourism as well. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

“Exercise Tiger” was planned as the top-secret rehearsal for D-Day. In early 1944, the United States Army conducted various exercises to prepare for the Normandy invasion at Slapton Sands and nearby Tor Bay in southwest England. “Tiger” was the largest operation of them all. Eight American landing ships packed with men left harbor and anchored in a line offshore to prepare for the next day’s exercise. At 2AM, eight German patrol boats made a surprise attack on the heavily loaded troop transporters, three of which burst into flames. In the worst single military disaster since Pearl Harbor, 749 GIs died that night. The tragedy was kept secret for forty years and those who drowned in agony were forgotten. Now after nearly 60 years, GI veteran Ken Dawson has returned to the Channel and the spot that was very nearly his grave to spotlight this untold story and to uncover the final resting place of his brothers in arms.