The Baarland Landing (Page 2/ 10)
Men of the 52nd Lowland Division moved to Terneuzen on 23rd and 24th October. Here they were introduced to strange amphibious craft, known as “ buffaloes”. These American built vehicles could carry 30 fully armed men or 8 men and a small vehicle. (They were manned by the 1st Assault Brigade Royal Engineers).
By the 24th October the Canadian 4th Brigade had reached a stage in their advance West along the isthmus when they could debouch on to South Beveland.
To dislodge enemy rearguards from the line of the Beveland Canal, it was decided to assault the South Beveland Coast near Baarland, with the Royal Scots Fusiliers on the right and the 6th Cameronians on the left. The 7th Cameronians, which at this time were still deficient of some of their transport, were to form the second wave – or reserve.
The amphibious assault took place well before dawn on the night of 25-26 October, supported by nearly 200 Field/ Medium, Heavy and Superheavy guns firing from the mainland east of Terneuzen.
The two assaulting battalions left Terneuzen at 3.30 am, accomplished the seven mile journey up and across the Scheldt in good order and touched down on the beaches at 4.45 am – exactly to time.
Subsequently, the 7th Cameronians were ordered to “set sail” from Terneuzen and commenced landing on South Bevelend at 10.30 am.
By nightfall a substantial bridgehead, about one mile and a half deep, had been secured. The 7th Cameronians were in reserve and uncommitted. Brigade headquarters had been established on the outskirts of Baarland, 600 prisoners had been taken and a number of enemy killed and wounded. The total casualties in the Brigade was about sixty.