Walcheren

[Jonny]

What happened at Walcheren?

I gather that an assault was lauched against the Island on the 1st November 1944. Please could someone expand on this. However when I found Walcheren in the atlas it was was joined to the mainlan. This may be the result of reclaiming the land that was once in-between.

[Nomad]

1 November 1944 - The Assault of Walcheren
The leading troops in the successful seaborne attack on Walcheren in November 19 44, were the 4th Special Service Brigade (Brigadier B W Leicester DSO) consisting of Nos 41, 47 and 48 Commandos and No 4 Army Commandos. The three RM Commandos attacked Westkapelle with little support, owing to the weather, other than that provided by the Naval Support Craft, the guns of which were manned by RM crews.

The success of the landing was in no small measure due to the self sacrifice and gallantry of the Naval Support Craft, and after some days' heavy fighting ashore, the batteries covering the mouth of the Scheldt were capture. The clearing of the entrance to the river, in which the Royal Marines thus performed a gallant and leading part, was of the greatest of the operations of the Allied Armies in Flanders

[Shoulderholster]

Due to the allied advance into Holland and intended drive into Germany we needed a large port from which to supply our armies (up until now supplies had to come all the way from the Normandy beachead)Antwerp being the second largest port in Western Europe and having been captured by the 11th Armd Div on the 4th Sept,this was the perfect choice.
But the sea route into Antwerp was dominated by Walcheren with its heavy guns and fortifications.
The landward side of the Scheldt river was cleared by the 52nd (Brit)Div and the 2nd(Can)Div.
The seaborne assault is covered by Tonys'reply.
Jonny if you are a former Marine the nearest RMA to you is in Bradford,and if you want to know more about Walcheren you can talk to some of the MEN who were there.
Drop me a line using the "private message" facility on this forum,and I will give you more details on how to find the RMA.
Take it easy.
Gary

[Jonny]

Thanks for the info.

Nevermind ex-marine i`ve still to get in yet. Thought it would be a good idea to look into the history of the marines, as im sure the intsructors at Lympstone will test our knowledge at some point.

[middlearth]

Hi Jonny, If you are still checking for messages the seaward story is well covered in The War of the Landing Craft by Paul Lund & Harry Ludlam.You could also try the LCG&F Association,an address should be available at any RMA branch. Your interest is commendable .Good luck Stan kiwi.

[ratso]

I think you will find it is one of the programs yet to feature on the formation of the Commandos on TV at present.