During the Second World War, Woolacombe beach and the surrounding countryside was used by the Americans to practice for the D-Day landings, as the coastline closely resembled the invasion beaches of Normandy. The nearby Woolacombe Hotel was used as a local Headquarters for the US Army based in North Devon. The War Memorial located on the ‘Greensward’ next to the Esplanade, was dedicated in 1992 to the memory of the soldiers who served here.