Land Force 2: Battle of the Scheldt

Buffalo amphibious vehicles carrying troops across the Scheldt River to Hooftplaat. Photograph. Library and Archives Canada, Donald I. Grant, number 3191668. Collection search - Buffalo amphibious vehicles carrying troops across the Scheldt River to Hooftplaat

The Battle of the Scheldt refers to a series of battles between the Allies and Nazi Germany in the southwest of the Netherlands and northern Belgium from early October to early November 1944. In September before that, the Allies carried out a bold Operation Market Garden, which was an attempt to directly attack the German mainland through the Rhine River, but it ended in failure. The Allies turned their attention to the port of Antwerp, but the Germans at that time still controlled the mouth of the Scheldt River and had strong fortifications. In order to ensure the transportation of important ships and personnel, the port of Antwerp needed to be put into use. This arduous task was entrusted to the First Canadian Army. After 35 days of fierce fighting, the First Canadian Army completed the task and captured 41,043 German troops, but it also suffered huge losses. This battle proved the outstanding contribution made by the Canadian Army during World War II, ensuring the transportation of supplies and personnel after the Allied landings in Normandy. The picture shows an amphibious vehicle carrying Canadian soldiers landing in the Scheldt River area in Zeeland in 1944.

Bibliography:

Veterans Affairs Canada& Anciens Combattants Canada, "CANADA REMEMBERS: THE BATTLE OF THE SCHELDT" https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/wars-and-conflicts/second-world-war/battle-of-the-scheldt