The Forgotten battle of the Sceldt and Woensdrecht on Friday The 13th!

[Recce1]

Since Eisenhower and Montgomery never gave it top priority until it was almost too late. The Scheldt was one of the most important and bloody campaigns Canadian soldiers ever fought in. As high Ranking Officers due to posturing ignorance and arrogance made horrendous inexplicable decisions. This was a chapter of WWII that had, by and large, been forgotten, with the exception of the Dutch people who were liberated, and never forgot their heroic honourable gallant sacrifice and the Canadian soldiers who fought and survived to tell the tail, of their exploits to endeavour to perceiver against all odds. Against a better equipped and season army that had completely fortified all German occupied positions.

On August 25th 1944, Paris was liberated. British and US armies advancing into German held territory which attracted most of the press. The Canadians were assigned a less glamorous task, of attacking and liberating French minor ports along the northern coast. The Canadian Army was under the command of General Crerar. They encountered very serious German resistance, since the area that the Canadians were attempting to liberate had been heavily defended. Remember this was the location Hitler assumed the Allied landings of D-Day were to have taken place in. On 4 September 1944, XXX Corps reached Antwerp, and with the help of the Belgian resistance the city was secured and the port facilities were captured intact. The advance was halted at Antwerp. By not advancing past this city and liberating Holland, this in a sense rendered the port of Antwerp useless. The Scheldt estuary, which connects the North sea with Antwerp, was 80km long and in Dutch territory and the Germans held both sides of the estuary. This was a blunder made by Montgomery, and Canadian soldiers would now have to pay the highest price for his incompetence. Due to his obsession with the idea of a thrust deep into Germany, and would carry Montgomery all the way to Berlin.

At this same time Operation Comet had been revised and was now called Market-Garden or as many know it as the movie a “Bridge to Far”. British units in Antwerp were to be used for operation Market-Garden so Canadian units replaced them in Antwerp. On 17 September 1944, Market-Garden was launched, but it ultimately met with failure disappointments and the lost and sacrifice of so many. By now, the port had become the main priority for the Allies. Eisenhower saw this, but Montgomery still wanted a push into Germany. Around the 26th of September 1944, Eisenhower told Montgomery to forget about this thrust into Germany, his first priority was to clear the harbour of Antwerp. Montgomery conceded and assigned the task to the First Canadian Army now under command of Lt. Gen. Guy Simmonds who had become very alarmed on September 4th , by the build-up of German strength on both sides of the Scheldt estuary. The German soldiers who had escaped the Falaise pocket (15th Army) and had now set up Shop on one of the Scheldt estuary banks, which was now a completely Fortified Fortress.

The battle of the Scheldt would start on October 1 and be the largest infantry battle under Canadian command of WWII. British and Polish units would join the attack. This was a battle that could have been easily won, due to Allied indecisiveness. It was the delay that gave Hitler all the time he needed to turn the Scheldt into a fortress. At the end of September 1944, the Canadian Army was ready for its advance into the Scheldt, and Lt. Gen. Simmonds’ plan was approved. Utter sheer madness by today’s military tactics. For the Canadians, it was not an inviting prospect to attack these positions with six under strength infantry battalions, a squadron of tanks and artillery regiments that had to ration the approaches to the port of Antwerp, insisted the advance continue.

The Black-Watch had already suffered heavy casualties. During the Battle of Verrières Ridge on July 25, 1944, In which 325 men left the start line, astonisingly only 15 made it back to friendly lines, the others being killed or wounded by well entrenched Waffen SS soldiers, machine gun Nests and tanks. And a month prior to the attack on Woensdrecht they had received above average casualties, in the Battle for Spycker from September 12-14. In October the Regiment expected to be fully manned and resupplied, but that was not to be as the Regiment laid in shambles.

The Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment of Canada, was about to meet it’s Waterloo, open field battle with no cover or obstacles to hide behind. The Brigade Commander knowing the Black Watch situation in hand, gave the order for the Black-Watch, to attack and take a small town called Woensdrecht which the Germans had fully fortified. This town was vital for communications. When October 12 came along the Black-Watch where undermanned, only rifles and smoke Bombs, with no support to lay down an attack on the German positions on that Bloody Friday the 13th. This operation, code-named Angus, called for 5th Brigade to employ one battalion to seize the railway embankment with the other two battalions passing through to seal off the route to Walcheren Island. The first phase of the assault would have to be undertaken by the Black Watch. The Maisonneuves were still more than 200 riflemen short and the Calgaries had borne the brunt of the fighting at Hoogerheide.

The German’s held the high ground, their positions had been reinforced and had their guns and machineguns zeroed in, on the Black-Watch. Like Lambs to the Slaughter house, not know the carnage that was about to unfold in front of their very eyes. As they wheir about to take heavey casualties, and a Prowed Regement was about to be desamated. On October 13 1944 on a raised railway embankment they layed, gasing in astonisment and looking up the hills, across 1,200 yards of open beet fields. The orders where given at 11.30 am to attack in plain daylight across flat open hilled fields with no cover, flooded land, driving rain, ****y traps and land mines that made the advance very escruteatingly difficult. As the battle waged and the battle field was letarly litterd with fallen men, the Battle Commander realising it was an impossible attack, the Black-Watch had to withdraw. When the Greman rifles, Guns had silence’d and the smoke and dust had seatled they sufferd 145 casualties, including 56 dead, among them all four company commaders, and one company of 90 men was reduced to just four survivors. Twenty-seven were taken prisoner, which devestated the Regiment .

known as “Black Friday” by the Canadian Infantry and The Black Watch – Royal Highland Regiment of Canada.

On the 16th of October 1944, it was the turn of the Royal Hamilton Light infantry, under Lt Col Denis Whitaker, to attempt to capture Woensdrecht. The Canadians on this day were supported by a squadron of tanks and artillery, and attacked at night around 3 in the morning, the attack succeeded. The Germans had reserves consisting of a Regiment of Paratroopers under the command of Lt Colonel Von Der Heydte who were excellent troops. Early the next morning, they commenced counter attacking the Hamiltons. German troops managed to overrun one of the defending companies. It would take five more days before the battle for Woensdrecht was over. The battlefield was a display of carnage, the Canadians had suffered heavily. The battle of the Scheldt lasted till November 8 and caused 12,000 Allied casualties killed, wounded or missing. 6,367 of them were Canadian.

Lest We Forget.

This is another Casulties list I found for that day.
The Regiment paid a horrendous price: 66 killed, 36 missing and 91 wounded. This day would be known as Black Friday for the Canadians.

[L J]

I doubt that the advance from Woensdrecht to the West (Zuid-Beveland ) would have been that easy,because the eastern part of Zuid-Beveland is very narrow,and easy to defend .There is also the problem of Walcheren(practically an island )and without the liberation of Walcheren,Antwerp could not be used .
About the advance of Montgomery to the north :the railway connections from Antwerp to the front had to be safe ,thus the whole north front had to be moved to the north and the western part of north-Brabant had to be liberated .
The assumption that Montgomery made a mistake,depends from
1) were the allies capable to liberate Zeeland and Zeeuws-Vlaanderen earlier (don't forget the supply problems )
2) what was the situation of the German troops in these regions ? Was there a chaos or were there already organised .

[Recce1]

I doubt that the advance from Woensdrecht to the West (Zuid-Beveland ) would have been that easy,because the eastern part of Zuid-Beveland is very narrow,and easy to defend .There is also the problem of Walcheren(practically an island )and without the liberation of Walcheren,Antwerp could not be used .
About the advance of Montgomery to the north :the railway connections from Antwerp to the front had to be safe ,thus the whole north front had to be moved to the north and the western part of north-Brabant had to be liberated .
The assumption that Montgomery made a mistake,depends from
1) were the allies capable to liberate Zeeland and Zeeuws-Vlaanderen earlier (don't forget the supply problems )
2) what was the situation of the German troops in these regions ? Was there a chaos or were there already organised .

Yes I read Very Narrow.Firstly, RAF bomber dropped bombs and destroy dikes on Walcheren Island. On 3 October 1944, the RAF dropped more than 1,000 tons of HE bombs on the WestKapelle dike, breaching the Walcheren island perimeter at three places. The sea rushed in and virtually flooded the island.

The Canadians suffered heavy casualties during these port clearings. Supplies were still a problem for the Allies, as they were being brought up from an artificial port in Normandy.

But what I read No not able to liberate. Fortified position and the Germans were allowed ample time.

P.S. I just know a little more the the Basics of these matters and believe you know better then I.

Thank you for your interest I'll have to check again with #1 I read Big Supply Problems for the Allies

And sorry for the Long Thread I even had to compress it 3 times and left much more info out.

J

[L J]

Yes I read Very Narrow.Firstly, RAF bomber dropped bombs and destroy dikes on Walcheren Island. On 3 October 1944, the RAF dropped more than 1,000 tons of HE bombs on the WestKapelle dike, breaching the Walcheren island perimeter at three places. The sea rushed in and virtually flooded the island.

The Canadians suffered heavy casualties during these port clearings. Supplies were still a problem for the Allies, as they were being brought up from an artificial port in Normandy.

But what I read No not able to liberate. Fortified position and the Germans were allowed ample time.

P.S. I just know a little more the the Basics of these matters and believe you know better then I.

Thank you for your interest I'll have to check again with #1 I read Big Supply Problems for the Allies

And sorry for the Long Thread I even had to compress it 3 times and left much more info out.

J

I should not say that I know these matters better than you,it is just that I live some 40 miles from that region
I have a quality (or probably a defect ):I am at an age (60 )that I am always doubting and not easely accepting some truths .
An other point :Montgomery's forces were weakened,because he had left behind units to liberate the French ports ( wrongfully or rightfully,that's another point )
Was it that important,that the approches to Antwerp were cleared some weeks earlier ? Even if that happened,Antwerp was still not usable :the Scheldt was full of mines,the railways were damaged and the Albert canal (from Antwerp to Liege ) was still under German fire ,full of wrecks and the bridges destroyed .
It is possible that Montgomery made a big mistake,but to be sure we should have an answer on 1) how strong were his forces 2) how strong were the Germans

PS :no need to sorry for the 'long ' thread :it was very interesting
cheers

[Connaught Ranger]

Interesting read however with regards this bit:-

The orders where given at 11.30 am to attack in plain daylight across flat open hilled fields with no cover, flooded land, driving rain, ****y traps and land mines that made the advance very escruteatingly difficult. As the battle waged and the battle field was letarly litterd with fallen men, the Battle Commander realising it was an impossible attack, the Black-Watch had to withdraw. and when the Greman rifles, Guns had silence’d and the smoke and dust had seatled they sufferd 145 casualties, including 56 dead, among them all four company commaders, and one company of 90 men was reduced to just four survivors. Twenty-seven were taken prisoner, which devestated the Regiment .

surely no dust in such a wet environment? is it taken from a book or self-written?

Connaught Ranger.

[oldsoak]

dust had settled - as in firing died down - a metaphor, I reckon.
Bloody daft to attack across open hilled fields with no cover though. Especially as flooded areas would tend to channel troops.

[Connaught Ranger]

dust had settled - as in firing died down - a metaphor, I reckon.
Bloody daft to attack across open hilled fields with no cover though. Especially as flooded areas would tend to channel troops.

tilled as opposed to hilled?

I have to agree who ever approved such needed to be stood against a wall for his crass stupidity of using tried and failed WW1 tactics in WW2.

A bloody tragedy and a waste.

May they all +Rest In Peace

[oldsoak]

You got me there
tilled in August ?

[tercio67]

The local terrain is actualy somewhat 'broken'.
The evantual final assault (Nov 1st) on walcheren saw British, Norwegian and Dutch troops coming ashore in a amphibious assault. Making Normandie and Walcheren the only two places where the German Atlantic Wall was succesfully breeched.

Edit: It is definately not forgotten over here.

[Recce1]

Interesting read however with regards this bit:-
surely no dust in such a wet environment? is it taken from a book or self-written?

Connaught Ranger.

You can Sleep soundly Knowing I ain't no writer Sir. Dust has settle The Firing has stopped or died down as
Mr Oldsoak Stated. Thanks for clarifying that for me.

That you for taking the Time.

[Recce1]

The local terrain is actualy somewhat 'broken'.
The evantual final assault (Nov 1st) on walcheren saw British, Norwegian and Dutch troops coming ashore in a amphibious assault. Making Normandie and Walcheren the only two places where the German Atlantic Wall was succesfully breeched.

Edit: It is definately not forgotten over here.

I an Aerial view Picture Of Woensgrecht and info On PDF

Terrain Broken. It looked Flat open ground leading Up A hill to the Town

Unless your talking about the surrounding Terrain??

(Nov 1st) on walcheren saw British, Norwegian and Dutch troops coming ashore in a amphibious assault.

Yes your Right I have a picture show just that.

[Recce1]

I should not say that I know these matters better than you,it is just that I live some 40 miles from that region
I have a quality (or probably a defect ):I am at an age (60 )that I am always doubting and not easely accepting some truths .
An other point :Montgomery's forces were weakened,because he had left behind units to liberate the French ports ( wrongfully or rightfully,that's another point )
Was it that important,that the approches to Antwerp were cleared some weeks earlier ? Even if that happened,Antwerp was still not usable :the Scheldt was full of mines,the railways were damaged and the Albert canal (from Antwerp to Liege ) was still under German fire ,full of wrecks and the bridges destroyed .
It is possible that Montgomery made a big mistake,but to be sure we should have an answer on 1) how strong were his forces 2) how strong were the Germans

PS :no need to sorry for the 'long ' thread :it was very interesting
cheers

I heard that when farmers Plow or Dig they fined still WWI and WWII Men and equipment and much more.

Your 60 Your just set in your Ways Sir! No worries all is good.

It is possible that Montgomery made a big mistake,but to be sure we should have an answer on 1) how strong were his forces 2) how strong were the Germans.

I'm Looking for that Info.

Thank you for your Impute Sir!