The Landings at Vlissingen and West Kapelle (P6/ 10)
On November 1st, while two-thirds of the 52nd Lowland Division (the 156th and 157th Brigade) was committed at the Walcheren Causeway, the 155th Brigade became engaged, together with considerable Commando Forces on the assault of Vlissingen.
This assault was part of Operation Infatuate which involved the simultaneous crossing of the Scheldt by two forces – one as indicated above landing at Vlissingen (Operation Infatuate 1) ; the other at West Kapelle
The first part of Operation Infatuate demanded precision bombing by the RAF to breach the Walcheren dykes. This was achieved at four points – north east of Veere, east and west of Vlissigen, and south of Westkapelle. The island was completely flooded, except for small areas here and there, including the eastern fringe, where the 156th and 157th Brigades were to make their bridgeheads from the Causeway and the Sloe Channel.
The military need which dictated the decision to flood the island was imperative. Walcheren was always the key to the Scheldt defences. As long as a single battery of heavy guns was able to fire across the estuary the use of Antwerp would be denied to the Allies and the conquest of Germany postponed.
The Germans had 25 active batteries on Walcheren under heavy concrete. When RAF Bomber Command was finished only 11 remained active. The flooding had also seriously disrupted enemy communications within the island.
Towards the end of October, the Allied Forces assembled in what was to be a vast Combined Operation. Large numbers of landing craft were required – under the command of he Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. Heavy naval ships were to form a bombardment squadron, and across the Scheldt at Breskens heavy guns stood ready to provide support for the assaulting troops.
After a period of ‘softening up’ of the German defences by Bomber Command, and Spitfire and Typhoon sorties against gun positions, concentrations of anti-aircraft guns and radar sites the assaults began.
The details of the the assaults on Vlissingen and Westkapelle – including the role of the 155th Brigade of the 52nd Lowland Division – are part of another history. Great tales of gallantry, and triumph belong in equal part to the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines and the Commandos. For the present account, it suffices to say that both successful parts of Operation Infatuate provided a pivotal turning point in the battle to liberate Walcheren.
It should be noted, however, that before nightfall on November 3rd, Vlissingen had been cleared of the enemy and the 155th Brigade was moving slowly up the heavily mined banks of the Middelburg Canal. Equally, the Commandos having fought a glorious battle at Westkapele split into two arms – one moving along the northern coast to Domburg, the other striking southwards to link up with their Lowlanders and their 4th Battalion compatriots at Vlissingen.