6 October 1944, Kapellen, north of Antwerp, Belgium.
Scouts of the Calgary Highlanders Scout and Sniper Platoon advancing north of Kapellen, October, 1944.
(Left to right: Sergeant H.A. Marshall and Corporal S. Kormendy)
In early October, after Operation Market Garden, Allied forces led by the Canadian First Army finally set out to open the port of Antwerp to the Allies by giving it access to the sea.
On October 2, the Canadian 2nd Division began its advance north from Antwerp. Stiff fighting ensued on October 6 at Woensdrecht, the objective of the first phase. The Germans, reinforced by Battle Group Chill, saw the priority in holding there, controlling direct access to South Beveland and Walcheren island. There were heavy casualties as the Canadians attacked over open, flooded land.
Canadian historians Terry Copp and Robert Vogel wrote:
"the very name Woensdrecht sends shivers down the spines of veterans of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division".
Driving rain, booby traps and land mines made advance very difficult. Attacking on 7 October in heavy mist, the Calgary Highlanders came under heavy fire from German positions. As described in its war diary, "the battle thickened...the Germans forces...hit back with a pugnacity which had not been encountered in the enemy for a long time".
The Régiment de Maisoneuve was halted 1,000 yards from their target while the next day, The Black Watch of Canada was stopped in its attempt. On October 9, the Germans counter-attacked and pushed the Canadians back. The war diary of the 85th Infantry Division reported that they were "making very slow progress" in face of tenacious Canadian resistance.
Colour: ColourisedPieceofJake
Photo: Library and Archives Canada PA-116727
