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The Battle of the Scheldt was a Military Operation which took place in northern Belgium and south-western Netherlands during the Second World War . The Allies planned to clear the Scheldt Estuary of German Forces so that Allied shipping could transport supplies into the port city of Antwerp , which had been recently liberated. This difficult task was assigned to the Canadian First Army , and would prove logistically vital in the push to the Siegfried Line , as supply lines were still stretching back to the Normandy beachheads. After 5 weeks of some of the most difficult fighting of the whole war, including Amphibious Assault s, the crossing of canals, and assaults across open ground the Canadians , Poles and British units of the Canadian First Army were victorious. Three weeks later the port in Antwerp was opened to allied shipping. Though this battle is not very well known, it was essential to allow the western allies to supply their armies in Europe and to continue operations on the Western Front until the end of the war in Europe. PRELUDE Allied forces, including the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division , and the Canadian 2nd Armoured Brigade of the Canadian First Army, landed on Juno Beach in Normandy , France on D-Day , June 6 , 1944 . As the armies progressed further inland, the Canadian First Army engaged in bitter fighting at Caen and Falaise . But with hundreds of thousands of troops fighting across the front, the Allies needed vast amounts of supplies, and so the Canadians were assigned the task of clearing the coastal areas and opening access to the channel ports. Fighting on the left flank of the Allied forces, the Canadian 1st Army pushed rapidly eastward through France towards Belgium. September began with the Canadian 2nd Infantry Division being welcomed to Dieppe . They left a number of units to guard the ports and pushed into Belgium, reaching Ostend , Bruges and Ghent by the middle of the month. By October 1, the port cities of Boulogne , Cap Gris Nez , Calais , and Dunkirk were all under Allied control. The Canadians also captured the launching sites of German V-2 Rocket s and put an end to their attacks on southern England. Meanwhile, the British Second Army had pushed forward into southern Netherlands. On September 17 , three British and American airborne divisions, as well as a brigade of Polish parachute troops, attempted to land behind enemy lines at Nijmegen , Eindhoven and Arnhem . Code-named Operation Market Garden , the mission's objective was to seize a bridge over the Rhine River at Arnhem. The operation failed, with 1,400 of a total force of 35,000 killed and more than 6,000 taken prisoner. Any hope for a speedy end to the war appeared to be dashed. Capturing a major Port became a top priority as adequate Supply Lines for the winter now became paramount. The British Second Army had already seized Antwerp with its installations virtually intact. As Europe's second-largest port, Antwerp and its 45 kilometres of docks, was an ideal landing ground for supplies for the continuing war effort. However, German forces still controlled the Scheldt river which connected the port of Antwerp to the North Sea . As long as the Germans held control of the sea approaches and the long winding estuary, Allied shipping to the port would be impossible. The mere occupation of Antwerp was not enough; all the lands surrounding the Scheldt would have to be liberated first. The opening of the port of Antwerp was essential, since at this point the main allied supply lines still ran back to Normandy , which were becoming a Logistical nightmare. OPENING THE SCHELDT On September 12 , 1944 , the Canadian First Army under the command of Lieutenant-General Guy Simonds (in place of General Harry Crerar who had returned to England because of severe illness), was given the task of clearing the Scheldt of German forces. The First Army was comprised of the Canadian II Corps , which included the Polish 1st Armoured Division and the British 49th and 52nd Division s and the British I Corps . .]] The plan for opening the Scheldt estuary involved four main operations; however, the unique geography of the area was daunting. The first was to clear the area north of Antwerp and secure access to South Beveland . The second was to clear the Breskens Pocket north of the Leopold Canal ("Operation Switchback"). The third, "Operation Vitality", was the capture of South Beveland. The final phase would be the capture of Walcheren Island , which had been fortified into a powerful German stronghold. On September 21 , the Canadian 4th Armoured Division moved northwards roughly along the line of the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal . It was given the task of clearing an area on the south shore of the Scheldt around the Dutch town of Breskens called the "Breskens pocket". The Polish 1st Armoured Division headed for the Dutch-Belgian border further east and the crucial area north of Antwerp. The 4th Armoured Division had advanced from a hard-won Bridgehead over the Ghent Canal at Moerbrugge to find themselves the first Allied troops to face the formidable obstacle of the double line of the Leopold and Dérivation De La Lys Canals. An attack was mounted in the vicinity of Moerkerke . The canals were crossed and a bridgehead established, but fierce counter-attacks by the Germans forced them to withdraw with heavy casualties. s passing Terrapin amphibious vehicles on the Scheldt river'', October 1944 .]] Further east, the 1st Polish Armoured Division enjoyed greater success as it moved up from Ghent heading northeast. In country unsuitable for armour, and against stiffening resistance, the Division managed to advance its way to the coast by September 20 . This allowed them to occupy Terneuzen and clear the south bank of the Scheldt eastwards to Antwerp. But these achievements also clarified the situation facing the Canadian First Army group. Any further ground captured from the Germans in the Scheldt would only be made at heavy cost. It was also evident that the Breskens Pocket was strongly and fiercely held by the Germans. It extended all the way along the coast from Zeebrugge to the Braakman Inlet and inland to the Leopold Canal. Fighting North from Antwerp On October 2 , the Canadian 2nd Infantry Division began its advance north from Antwerp to reach South Beveland and then advance into it. Despite stiff opposition on October 6, the objective of the first phase seemed within grasp, with the town of Woensdrecht less than five kilometres away. The Germans, however, were determined to hold Woensdrecht, which controlled direct access to South Beveland and Walcheren Island. There were heavy casualties as the Canadians attacked over open, flooded land. Driving rain, booby traps and land mines made advance very difficult. October 13 , on what would come to be known as "Black Friday", saw the Canadian 5th Infantry Brigade 's Black Watch Battalion virtually wiped out in heavy fighting. talking to members of the Belgian Resistance , Bruges , September 1944 .]] On October 16 , the final attack on Woensdrecht was launched, with the support of an immense artillery barrage. As the Allied artillery brought down a heavy concentration of fire within metres of their own troops, the Germans fell back. Woensdrecht was secure and South Beveland and Walcheren were cut off from the mainland. The Canadians had achieved their first objective, but suffered heavy casualties. At this point, the challenge and opportunity was clear to all, and Field-Marshal Bernard Montgomery , issued a directive that made the opening of the Scheldt estuary the top priority. To the east, the British Second Army attacked westwards to clear the Netherlands south of the Maas River . This helped secure the Scheldt region from an outside counter-attack. Meanwhile, Lieutenant-General Simonds concentrated on the area north of South Beveland. The Canadian 4th Armoured Division, which had been engaged at the Leopold Canal, moved north of the Scheldt and drove hard for the town of Bergen-op-Zoom. By October 24 , access to South Beveland was sealed off. Operation Switchback The second main operation of the Battle of the Scheldt opened with fierce fighting along the Scheldt's southern shore in what was called the Breskens Pocket . Here, the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division encountered tenacious German resistance as they fought to cross the Leopold Canal. An earlier failed attempt by the Canadian 4th Armoured Division at Moerbrugge had demonstrated the challenge they faced. In addition to the formidable German defences on both the Leopold Canal and the Dérivation de la Lys Canal, much of the approach area was flooded. Furthermore, the flooded terrain concealed the enemy from the infantry, thus making Aerial Reconnaissance of enemy positions an absolute necessity. As a result, there were few areas where a determined assault had much hope of success. It was decided that the best place for an assault would be immediately east of where the two canals divided. This was a narrow strip of dry ground beyond the Leopold Canal—a long triangle with its base on the Maldegem-Aardenburg road and its apex near the village of Moershoofd some five kilometres east. It was only a few hundred metres wide, even at its base, and its northern boundary coincided with the border between Belgium and the Netherlands. demonstrating the use of Flame Throwers across a canal, Balgerhocke , October 1944 .]] A two-pronged assault commenced. The Canadian 3rd Infantry Division's 7th Brigade made the initial assault across the Leopold Canal, while the Canadian 9th Brigade mounted an amphibious attack from the northern or coastal side of the pocket. The assault began on October 6 , supported by extensive artillery and Canadian-built Wasp Universal Carrier s, which were equipped with flamethrowers. The Wasps launched their barrage of flame across the Leopold Canal, allowing the 7th Brigade troops to scramble up over the steep banks and launch their assault boats across the canal. Two precarious, separate footholds were established, but conditions for the Canadian troops were horrendous as the enemy recovered from the shock of the flamethrowers and counter-attacked. However, the troops clung with grim determination to their extremely vulnerable bridgeheads. By October 9 , the gap between the bridgeheads was closed, and by early morning on October 12 , a position had been gained across the Aardenburg Road . from the Calgary Highlanders Scout and Sniper Platoon, in a shot from a series of staged photos by Army photographer Ken Bell , taken near Kappellen , October, 1944 . PAC Photo]] The Canadian 9th Brigade conducted an amphibious operation with the aid of Terrapin and Buffalo amphibious vehicles, crewed by the British 5th Assault Regiment , from the Royal Engineers . The brigade planned to cross the mouth of the Braakman Inlet in amphibious vehicles and to land in the vicinity of Hoofdplaat, a tiny hamlet in the rear or coastal side of the pocket, thus exerting pressure from two directions at once. In spite of difficulties in manoeuvring vehicles through the canals and the resulting 24-hour delay, the Germans were taken by surprise and a bridgehead was established. Once again, they recovered quickly and counter-attacked with ferocity; however, they were slowly forced back. The Canadian 10th Brigade , from the 4th Armoured Division, crossed the Leopold Canal and advanced at Isabella Polder . Then the 3rd Infantry Division's Canadian 8th Brigade was called to move southwards from the coastal side of the pocket. This opened up a land-based supply route into the pocket. Despite these triumphs, the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division still had to fight to free the towns of Breskens , Oostburg , Zuidzande and Cadzand , as well as take the coastal fortress Fort Frederik Hendrik . With the Breskens pocket finally cleared, Operation "Switchback" ended on November 3 when the First Canadian Army victoriously liberated the Belgian towns of Knokke and Zeebrugge . Operation Vitality The third major operation of the Battle of the Scheldt opened on October 24 when the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division began its bridgeheads against South Beveland . The Canadians hoped to advance rapidly, bypassing opposition and seizing operations over the Beveland Canal , but they too were slowed by mines, mud and strong enemy defences. An Amphibious attack was made across the West Scheldt by the British 52nd (Lowland) Division to get in behind the German's Beveland Canal defensive positions. Thus this formidable defence was outflanked, and the Canadian 6th Infantry Brigade began a frontal attack in assault boats. The engineers were able to bridge the canal on the main road. With the canal line gone, the German defence crumbled and South Beveland was cleared. The third phase of the Battle of the Scheldt was now complete. Operation Infatuate: Capture of Walcheren Island rest in Blankenberge , September 1944 .]] As the fourth phase of the Battle of the Scheldt opened, only the island of to further defend its port facilities should an Allied landing on Walcheren succeed. The only land approach was the Sloedam—a long, narrow causeway from South Beveland , little more than a raised two-lane road. To make matters more difficult, the flats that surrounded this causeway were too saturated with sea water for movement on foot, but had too little water for an assault in storm boats. To hamper German defence, the island's dykes were breached by attacks from at Westkapelle with severe loss of civilian life; on 7 October at two places, west and east of Vlissingen; and on 11 October at Veere . This flooded the central part of the island, forcing the German defenders onto the high ground around the outside and in the towns, but also allowed the use of amphibious vehicles. The island was attacked from three directions: across the causeway from the east, across the Scheldt from the south, and by sea from the west. The Canadian 2nd Infantry Division attacked the causeway on October 31 , 1944 and after a grim struggle, established a precarious foothold. An initial attack by the Black Watch was rebuffed; The Calgary Highlanders then sent a company over which was also stopped halfway down the Causeway. A second attack by the Highlanders on the morning of 1 November managed to gain a foothold; a day of fighting followed, and the Highlanders were relieved by Le Regiment de Maisonneuve who struggled to maintain the bridgehead; they withdrew onto the Causeway on 2 November, to be relieved by a battalion of the Glasgow Highlanders of the British 52nd Lowland Division. In conjunction with the waterborne attacks, 52nd continued the advance. The amphibious landings were conducted in two parts on 1 November . Operation Infatuate I consisted mainly of infantry of the British 155th Infantry Brigade (4th and 5th battalions King's Own Scottish Borderers , 7/9th battalion The Royal Scots ) and No. 4 Commando , who were ferried across from Breskens in small landing craft to an assault beach in the south-eastern area of Vlissingen, codenamed Uncle Beach. During the next few days they engaged in heavy street fighting against the German defenders. Operation Infatuate II was the amphibious landing at Westkapelle, also conducted on the morning of 1 November. After a heavy naval bombardment by the British Royal Navy , troops of 4th Special Service Brigade (Nos. 41, 47 and 48 Royal Marine Commando and No. 10 Inter Allied Commando, consisting mainly of Belgian and Norwegian troops) supported by specialised armored vehicles (amphibious transports, mine-clearing tanks, bulldozers, etc.) of the 79th Armoured Division were landed on both sides of the gap in the sea dyke, using large landing craft as well as amphibious vehicles to bring men and tanks ashore. Heavy fighting ensued here as well before the ruins of the town were captured. Part of the troops moved south-eastward, toward Vlissingen, while the main force went north-east to clear the northern half of Walcheren and link up with the Canadian troops who had established a bridgehead on the eastern part of the island. Fierce resistance was again offered by some of the German troops defending this area, so that fighting continued until 7 November . On could, so they were driven into Middelburg in an attempt to force a surrender anyway. This worked, and by November 8 all German resistance ended. Meanwhile, the 4th Canadian Armoured Division had pushed eastwards past Bergen-op-Zoom to St. Philipsland where it sank several German vessels in Zijpe Harbour . With the approaches to the port of Antwerp free, the fourth phase of the Battle of the Scheldt was completed. The Scheldt was then cleared of Mines , and on November 28 , the first convoy entered the port of Antwerp, led by a Canadian-built Freighter , '' Fort Cataraqui ''. AFTERMATH , September 1944 .'']] The flooded, muddy terrain and the tenacity of the well- Fortified German defences made the Battle of the Scheldt especially gruelling and bloody for the Canadian " Water Rats ". In response to the way the Canadian Army fought, Field-Marshall Bernard Montgomery,the top British officer and second-in-command of the Allied forces in Europe, said, "The Canadians have proved themselves magnificent fighters. Clearing the Scheldt was a job that could have been done only by first-rate troops. Second-rate troops would have failed." Indeed, the battle is considered by some historians to have been waged on the most difficult Battlefield of the Second World War. At the end of the five-week Offensive , the victorious Canadian First Army had taken 41,043 prisoners, but suffered 12,873 casualties (killed, wounded, or missing), 6,367 of whom were Canadians. After the first ship arrived on November 28, Convoys started bringing a steady stream of supplies to the continent, which began to re-sustain the stalled ' Drive To The Siegfried Line '. Germany recognised the importance of the Allies having a deep water port, so in an attempt to destroy it, or at least disrupt the flow of supplies, the German military fired more V-2 Ballistic Missile s at Antwerp than any other city. In fact, nearly half of the V-2s launched during the war, were fired at Antwerp. The port of Antwerp was so vitally strategic, that during the Battle Of The Bulge one of the primary German objectives was to retake the city, and its port. It has been suggested that without having secured the Scheldt estuary, the Americans would not have been victorious, and the Germans would have been able to hold the allies from advancing, if not push them back to France. In reference to the Canadian victory at the Battle of the Scheldt, Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower stated, "The end of Nazism was in clear view when the first ship moved unmolested up the Scheldt." SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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