The German Surrender of Middelburg (P8/ 10)
By November 3rd it must have been clear to the German Commander at his HQ in Middelburg things were not going well for him. The Allies, on the other hand, had the satisfaction of seeing all of the separate elements of the attack falling into place as planned in a portent of victory. The final problem was how to get to the ultimate objective across miles of tidal water.
Half an hour after noon on November 4th all remaining amphibious craft of the 79th Armoured Division had been collected. The 7th/9th Royal Scots (a Company of the 155th Brigade), and a platoon of machine-gunners from the 7th Manchesters set off towards Middelburg.
The voyage was difficult. Minefields and floating mines were rife. Nonetheless the flotilla managed successfully to navigate the vast flooded area. The Germans were taken totally by surprise. They believed that the floods completely protected their rear. Indeed, they thought that the buffaloes were tanks, as the vehicles emerged dripping out of the floods and onto the streets. There was very little resistance and by 16.30 it was reported back to Vlissingen that the surrender of some 2,000 German Troops was being negotiated by around 200 British.
Walcheren had been liberated!