The Battle of the Scheldt
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breached and secured and the 2nd Canadian Division began the advance into South Beveland, assisted by an amphibious landing by the 52nd British Division. By October 31, the area was secured by the Allies.
Fighting along the Scheldt's southern shore was equally fierce. Here the 3rd Canadian Division encountered tenacious German opposition as it fought to cross the Leopold Canal and clear the Breskens pocket behind the canal. The attack began on October 6 against fierce opposition, and for three days a slender bridgehead was in constant danger of elimination. Finally, on October 9, an amphibious assault broke the enemy's hold on the canal, and the bridgehead was deepened. Troops and tanks crossed the canal and the Germans withdrew into concrete bunkers along the coast. More fighting followed, but by November 3 the south shore of the Scheldt was secured.
This left the island of Walcheren as the last obstacle to securing the port of Antwerp for Allied use. However, the Germans had fortified their position on the island and the only land approach was the long narrow causeway from South Beveland. To make matters worse, the flats that surrounded this causeway were too saturated with sea water for movement on foot but with too little water for an assault in storm boats.
The island was attacked from three directions: across the causeway from the east, across the Scheldt from the south, and from the west by sea. To hamper German defence, the island's dykes were breached by heavy Royal Air Force bombing, which flooded the central area and allowed the use of amphibious vehicles.
The Canadians attacked the causeway on October 31, and, after a costly struggle, established a foothold. Then, in conjunction with the waterborne attacks, the 52nd British Division continued the advance. On November 6, the island's capital Middelburg was secured, and by November 8 all enemy opposition ended.
Meanwhile, the 4th Canadian Armoured Division had pushed eastward past Bergen-op-zoom to St. Philipsland where it sank several German vessels in Zijpe harbour.
Thus, with the approaches to Antwerp free and the country up to the Maas River cleared, the Battle of the Scheldt was over and the crucial supply line, essential to fuel the Allied advance to liberate Europe, was secured. The channel was cleared of mines and, on November 28, the first convoy entered the port of Antwerp, led by the Canadian-built freighter Fort Cataraqui.
The campaigns in Northwest Europe could not have succeeded without the support of Allied naval and air forces. The navies kept open the sea lanes for munitions, supplies and reinforcements, while overhead the air forces cleared the skies, and engaged in dangerous bombing missions.
Remembering their Sacrifice
Those Canadians who fought in the Battle of the Scheldt achieved and sacrificed much in their efforts to help bring peace and freedom to the people of Europe. These combattants were among the more than one million men and women who served in Canada's Armed Forces during the Second World War.
More than 42,000 Canadians gave their lives in the war. Canada and the world recognize the sacrifices and achievements of all Canadians, like those who fought in the Battle of the Scheldt, who accomplished so much and left a lasting legacy of peace. Most of the Canadians who died in the Battle of the Scheldt are buried at two Commonwealth War Cemeteries in the region. Adegem Canadian War Cemetery is in the northwest corner of Belgium, not far from the Dutch frontier. It contains the graves of 848 Canadians, most of whom lost their lives during the bitter struggle to clear the Breskens pocket on the south bank of the Scheldt.
Bergen-op-zoom Canadian War Cemetery is located in southwest Holland. It contains the graves of 968 Canadians, most of whom fell fighting to open the sea approaches to Antwerp and make that port available to Allied shipping.
Map of the Battle of the Scheldt
Map showing the movement of Allied forces during the Battle of the Scheldt in October and November 1944. The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division and 4th Canadian Armoured Division played a leading role in the liberation of the southern shore of the Scheldt, with the 1st Polish Armoured Division also making important contributions. The 2nd Canadian Infantry Division fought north of Antwerp and then west to liberate South Beveland and Walcheren Island on the northern shore of the Scheldt. The 4th Canadian Armoured Division was also involved in clearing enemy forces from the area east of the Scheldt. British forces also helped defeat the enemy in South Beveland and Walcheren Island, and pushed the Germans back in fighting north and east of Antwerp.
(Source: Veterans Affairs Canada)