Canada at War - Battle of the Scheldt

Old newsreel of the Battle of the Scheldt. The Battle of the Scheldt was a series of military operations by the Canadian First Army - consisting of Canadian, British and Polish formations - to open up the port of Antwerp so that it could be used to supply the Allies in north-west Europe. Led by Guy Simonds, the battle took place in northern Belgium and southwestern Netherlands during World War II from October 2 to November 8, 1944.
Source: Canadian Archives

[@janrobertbos]

Thank you CANADA, greetz from the Netherlands. We will NEVER forget!

[@dmfraser1444]

Here in Canada we appreciate this.

[@joshuanugteren]

In a Dutch canadain my opa and Oma went through this war in Rotterdam my oma use to say the stench was terrible they had nothing as most starved including my great uncle thank you canada !

[@MrAperry5]

My Great Grandfather died during the battle of the Sheldt Dec 8, 1944. He was a member of the infamous Black Watch Regiment. He was wounded from small arms fire whilst trying to save his Lieutenant, only 15yds from a german machine gun position. He was taken prisoner by the germans and died in a german hospital. Buried in Holland. RIP, gramps

[@briantaylor858]

Not infamous, famous. They fought with great valor.

[@ericvanparijs588]

Amazing to see this. My grand parents were habitants of Eede near the Leopold Canal. They told me about the heavy fights. Now after years I can imagine this. Much thanks!

[@vp-be5rm]

Hallo waar te Eede Mvg

[@ryboflavin9494]

My great uncle was killed on the banks of the Scheldt River on October 5th, 1944 by mortar blast. He was part of the Algonquin Reg. RIP brave warrior.

[@Chargers11092]

My great uncle was killed at the Scheldt as well. He was 19yrs old and had only been over there a few weeks. He was killed on Black Friday (October 13th, 1944). He was part of the Black Watch Royal Highlanders. Though I never met him, I am extremely proud of him and one day hope to be the first of my family to visit his burial in Bergen Op Zoom. Thank you to your great uncle and all the warriors that lay down their lives for their brothers in arms and for us. RIP Uncle Roger and all brave warriors.

[@ascend7172]

Next week the movie is coming of this battle. Hope you all could see it. We thank your familys for freeing us.

[@hauntedcaper12]

@@Chargers11092 very similar story here. My great uncle also served with the Watch. Was killed on Oct/13th as well. He is also buried at Bergen Op Zoom, and like you I also hope to be the first from my family to visit his grave!! My great uncle was 28. One of the older guys for sure.

[@robpecore239]

My great uncle also fought. He was a Tank Crew Commander, Command Sergeant Major of the 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade (Grey & Simcoe Fosters). He was running his guys up through Caen, Morteaux-Couliboeuf , Rouen, Abbeville, Ypres, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Hengelo, alllllll the way up to Oldenburg. He ended up running the hockey/ ringette arena in Antwerpen (Sportpaleis and Tennishal en Tentoonstellingsebouw Apollo: Amsterdam-Zurich) until he was asked to push the Nazis back to the Rhine from Tilburg.

[@thevoid5503]

Ryboflavin, Ryan Lee, Jason Murphy, Rob Pecore Thank you for your family's sacrifice. It wasn't in vain. We have been a free country since '45, thanks to Canada.

[@hauntedcaper12]

My great uncle died on October 13th (Black Friday) he was wounded during action. Last seen taking cover during an onslaught of enemy mortars. When the smoke cleared, there was no sign of him. He was first declared missing in action, and then it was later discovered that he was captured by the Germans and died while on route to a pow camp. He fought with the Black Watch.

[@rpm1796]

It's an infamous battle...They were sent straight across the polder in a frontal assault against a raised railway embankment defended by a well dug in Von der Heydt's 6th Para Rgt. It was more than a tough war for the 'Watch'.

[@danielasterling6936]

BARILOCHE USHUAIA ICE HOCKEY A R G E N T I N A

[@rederickfroders1978]

Thanks Canada! Have a tulip🌷

[@jayjohnson7033]

Tulip actually stands for blood sacrifice the elites did on humanity. War is big business without WW2 the elite agenda could not have unfolded.mass sacrifice

[@dmfraser1444]

My mother's brother was there as an engineer in the Canadian Army. He was one of the lucky ones. He was there as well as the representative for Calgary at the 50th anniversary ceremonies for the liberation.

[@mushmorant9253]

The first ship into the port of Antwerp after the Scheldt was cleared was the Canadian-built SS Fort Cataraqui.

[@alvinhang8721]

Much respect for the Canadians. None braver or tougher.

[@chrisr2507]

My grandfather and his brother fought in this battle with the Black Watch. Sadly, his brother is buried at the Bergen Op Zoom cemetery 😢

[@danielasterling6936]

LUCIANA IMOBERDORF PIA EXNER MOIRA BERNTZ INGRID GRUDKE MILAGROS SCHMOLL MARCELA KLOOSTERBOER TIZIANA HEINZE LUCINA VON DER HEYDE NICOLE NEUMANN VALENTINA SEWCZUK NAOMI PREIZLER AYELEN STEPNIK JAZMÍN STUART KARINA JELINEK ANA LIVCHICH CARLA PETERSEN DANIELA PFEIFF IMAN KAUMANN PILAR BOERIS LUCIANA RUBINSKA MARTINA STOESSEL A R G E N T I N A

[@foetsie85]

don't worry, he is still being looked after. I and many volunteers go there on Christmas Eve and burn a candle at every grave.and like today May 4th Remembrance Day, a flower wreath is laid in front of the cemetery for the brave boys who fought for our freedom

[@gotmilk606]

This is great. My great-uncle was with the 4th Cdn Armoured division in support of the 3rd Cdn Division at the Breskens pocket and then went on to Bergen-op-Zoom and beyond.

[@barbfrench85]

Alexander Challis Thank you so much!

[@barbfrench85]

It is believed that my father was there!

[@pcjx5468]

Tyler Gerein my Great Uncle was 3rd Canadian Infantry Division and he was there too

[@garytrotter3607]

My dad too, Fort Garry Horse !!

[@Sherwoody]

My dad and both of his brothers were there.

[@jasonmussett2129]

Amazing footage. Controversy still reigns,, should the Allies have gone for Antwerp instead of Arnhem? Without a doubt,Market Garden gave the German 15th Army time to consolidate their positions along the Schedlt estuary. We should neverforget these men or what they accomplished. Lest we forget.

[@mrdude6882]

The canadiens were nicknamed the water rats because of the harsh water conditions they had to fight in this battle

[@christophercarlson9497]

My grandfather & his brothers were here , after having been in Italy & Juno beach all at 18-23 years old

[@danielasterling6936]

RUSSIAN SPANISH POLAR LANGUAGES USHUAIA ANTÁRTIDA ARGENTINA AURORA AUSTRAL

[@asmodeus0454]

The Canadian armed forces always had to punch above their weight. They did exceedingly well.

[@billfarley9167]

Hindsight is always 20/20. The Battle for Antwerp should never have happened except for the ego and stupidity of General Bernard Montgomery. Canada paid dearly for his lack of foresight, but came through as always. My uncle was a part of that battle and was killed near Bergen-Op- Zoom. He's buried in the Canadian cemetary at Nijmegen, Holland.

[@thevillaaston7811]

'The Battle for Antwerp should never have happened except for the ego and stupidity of General Bernard Montgomery. ' How so ?

[@glen6945]

soorry to here that my farther was there also----shot in the head and threw the foot in a canel in holland-he never talked -about it much-----have to move on with life

[@powerofloveism]

My great Uncle was a Sargent in the Algonquin Regiment , Years later I met a Veteran who told me my Uncle was his Sarg in the War and I asked him where did my Uncle get wounded do you know? he said he believed someone said while crossing the Leopold Canal the Regiment were ambushed by the Germans he is buried in Belgium cemetary he was twenty six years old, newly married and his wife was expecting a child. He died October tenth nineteen forty five.

[@glen6945]

my dad was there

[@brucebartup6161]

mine too

[@gpan62]

the narrator sounded like Robert McNeil. I looked it up "Canada at War" was narrated by Budd Knapp

[@topwargear]

company of heroes brought me here

[@user-ux1mu5np3p]

🇨🇦💂 "...pass the ammunition and we'll aaahll be free!"

[@Dunnlrs]

The Canadian Army was made up,of Canadians but also Polish, Dutch and the 1st British Corp which made up nearly half of the 1st Canadian Army. Actually a very international Army. Antwerp was actually captured by the 11 Armoured Division, part of the British Army which was part of the Canadian Army.

[@glen6945]

TRUE

[@danielasterling6936]

@@glen6945 ARGENTINIEN ÜBER ALLES

[@danielasterling6936]

ARGENTINIEN ÜBER ALLES

[@alanmacification]

A large portion of the Canadian army was still fighting in Italy. The !st Canadian Corp would rejoin the 1st army in January '45. My father had fought all through Sicily and Italy, it was the fight in Holland that gave him nightmares.

[@ltparadise1875]

I'm trying to find more about the what happened on October 23rd 1944 in the town of Essen, Belgium During the Battle of Sheldt.

[@glen6945]

go to national film board of canada love

[@garytrotter3607]

It's my understanding that the Canadians were not invited to the ceremonies at the opening of the Port of Antwerp.

[@golden36]

Thats so the British could take all of the credit (which was a normal routine for the British senior officers ) and that way there was no one there to tell the truth

[@thevillaaston7811]

And how do you know that?..

[@glen6945]

TRUE

[@bradleyhenry2411]

@@golden36 wasn't this a common occurrence with the Americans too, like Rome?

[@danielasterling6936]

@@thevillaaston7811 RUSSIAN SPANISH POLAR LANGUAGES USHUAIA ANTÁRTIDA ARGENTINA AURORA AUSTRAL

[@MegaSogni]

is good

[@flamingmoe1805]

My Grandfather was there He got trenchfoot from all the water. Would have lost his feet if not for the salvation army volunteer that gave him dry socks and boots (and a thermos of hot coffee)

[@abchaplin]

Can anyone identify the hymn that begins to play at about 8:52?

[@gkl1756]

It is "Wilt heden nu treden...", a Dutch song from 1597 by Adriaen Valerius celebrating a victory in the Dutch revolution. The English text is "We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing"; it is a popular song at Thanksgiving.

[@abchaplin]

Thanks, @@gkl1756, I should have known that, having sung it in the Anglican Church many years ago.

[@horst9537]

thank you canada for a free germany 🙂 as a german I think of your fallen in awe and gratitude

[@rederickfroders1978]

The way he says Bergen op Zoom👌😂

[@danielasterling6936]

BARILOCHE USHUAIA ICE HOCKEY A R G E N T I N A

[@alancruickshank5596]

Sorry, but wasn't it mainly the 52nd Lowland division that liberated Walcheren, Vlissingen and Middelburg. The Canadians couldn't breach the strong German defence of the Causeway until part of the 52nd div, who crossed the Causeway and then went on to outflank the German defences. Walcheren was mainly a joint venture between the Scottish 52nd div. & Canadian artillery who gave support from the Breskens side of the Westerschelde. I had to mention this as there was never a mention of the 52nd

[@rpm1796]

The 52 Lowland crossed over the West-Scheldt on the 28th, Oct, to take up the left flank while the Canadian 2nd Division with no respite since August, was desperately taking heavy losses, 135 dead in the first assault alone, attempting to fight across the exposed Causeway, after being bled dry earlier in the campaign to clear everything up from Antwerp for the final push...some units had suffered 50% losses. When the fresh 52nd came into the line and was ordered to continue over the Causeway, they refused & instead outflanked the main resistance by crossing the mudflats on the south left flank. Walcheren: On the 1st, Nov, 155 Lowland Bde, with No.4 Commando landed at West-Kappelle, while No's 41,47,48 Royal Marine Commandos, with 10 inter-allied Commando & the 79th Armd landed at Flushing and linked up with the 52nd two days later. On the 7th, Middleburg fell. and the estuary was finally cleared for shipping by the 28th. My family are Highland-Canadian & believe me there would never be any sort of a slight intended, the British forces were mentioned, but not individual units. This is a 60 year, well-received old series telling Canadians what their Canadians' did. Canada at War. Slain te'🍻

[@danielasterling6936]

@@rpm1796 ARGENTINIEN ÜBER ALLES

[@brucebartup6161]

pologissc fior nmtypos,, i hsec avsnced parkkdsionss and gthuisvazppalinhg ravsty is thevbesr vcabnn do, dsiorry. not quite, yun haavv followed an incioorecti, presumption i yhiink: 52nd div were trained in use of Buffalo APC see Operation fortitude North, Invaion of noresway ,trained in landeing excdrde in Iceland . there were nmabny fake units in firtuttudv north, many real onluy assto rado traffic asctiviyies, ioonl actuvutues byrt d=ddsiin-nmee uniytss wereev real,,, 332ndvcduiv beingbon ev such Assoooff -, llke FUSAG in Fortutue outh 52nd had cappabilitue noyt manyogherr unirscvsadvarttgere ttme, that's ghoew hey khnew thy could d nbtterdhasn just assaklt aforuiggfied popsituiin, add one RN exepert in maershland navigstion ccand bobs our uncle. And once nits of5 2nd div out flankeded thedee bylandung ion wa ot whheree no fdefendes wrre oosted ascjt aschggt jnlkely or imoossuble yi,zbnda firrccecgthere theflank of thde derfrnces as it were leasbvojng hr csusewao[rnn go resupplnybc. not a matter oofbrtr tropds rhoughnyryneere top notch. the udsst has secikiv jnlowlerdg ca'[sbioiiiuees andc tranningsuyr=d o gtger pibblen at han,, re twoduiviss Mony originlly sent to the scheldt wrec ebtrely junadeqyur6 un nummbeerv, no two two dvids forc ciiuld hse done it - Simpsn wac mad to think it could ,, he learned. thankfuyklully the Heer never did learnn rfr fdid klesrnn. the kessons iif the schldt and the 52nd du-v uused Bufallo APC ndht upto the vc of gtthv eenbe tom roossdingt he elbe (1est Commando btigade haaving furger dveloprd the tactic heightsc of d of abrham asautt ()pecuised ad ghasvung bfalo squaadriondz fdirectly U/C of Birigadier general Mills rioberts

[@maartenvandam344]

It's spelled the Schelde.

[@dashcroft1892]

In Canada it will always be the Battle of the Scheldt. Sorry!

[@danielasterling6936]

BARILOCHE USHUAIA ICE HOCKEY A R G E N T I N A

[@danielasterling6936]

@@dashcroft1892 RUSSIA ARGENTINA POLAR NATIONS

[@bellhamel901]

Well, it's called "the Schelde" not Scheldt

[@dashcroft1892]

It is schpeldt both ways.

[@bellhamel901]

@@dashcroft1892 no.... it's not

[@rederickfroders1978]

Its Belarus, not Wit-Rusland. Now do you get it?

[@bellhamel901]

@@rederickfroders1978 In Nederland noemen we dat Wit-Rusland, snap je dat nu eindelijk, zie je? In de Nederlandse taal hebben we overal goede woorden voor.

[@danielasterling6936]

@@bellhamel901 RUSSIA ARGENTINA POLAR NATIONS

[@marvinjungco5422]

Canadian soldier is so soft they join the war coz they back up by Americans, British,polish and french

[@glen6945]

NOT AZZ HOLE

[@rederickfroders1978]

Do your homework. The Canadians are friendly people but theyre known as fearsome fighters.

[@samjam6989]

lol Canadians played critical role along with Americans especially in the battle of normandy. Russians also lost the most soldiers. Britain and Poland would be speaking german if it wasnt because of canadian, US and Russian military

[@danielasterling6936]

@@glen6945 WAR IN CANADA WAR IN USA CANADA AND USA DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS A WAR

[@danielasterling6936]

@@rederickfroders1978 WAR IN CANADA WAR IN USA CANADA AND USA DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS A WAR

[@nickdanger3802]

"Montgomery later admitted that he was wrong to assume the Canadians could open the approaches to Antwerp while his forces tried to reach Germany. But his timing was off. The Canadians began fighting around Antwerp in early October, after Market Garden had ended. So, our original question prompts another: Why did it take to the middle of October for Montgomery to support the embattled Canadians and make Antwerp a priority?" Legion magazine should-field-marshal-bernard-montgomery-have-tried-to-clear-the-scheldt-estuary-in-september-1944 page

[@OTDMilitaryHistory]

A question I've pondered for a long time. Market Garden does not fit within Monty's own doctrine of preparing offensives so I'm not sure why he pushed for it. Securing Antwerp and then building up for a major push across the Rhine would have better fit within the ideas that Monty himself espoused.

[@nickdanger3802]

@@OTDMilitaryHistory You may find an answer in a reply by Big Woody to a reply to my comment from 3 weeks ago on this vid. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3mnfISbmZulgcU&lc=UgwXSHpsT3o_dqcZzqt4AaABAg.9ghYIMx2LD29hYQVgsU2C0

[@OTDMilitaryHistory]

@@nickdanger3802 Well I know the Dieppe part is wrong but Monty did have the tendency to blamed others for failures.

[@nickdanger3802]

@@OTDMilitaryHistory And take all the credit like the Battle of the Bulge.

[@nickdanger3802]

@@OTDMilitaryHistory Can you shed any light on Leo Major refusing to accept a medal from Montgomery?

[@glen6945]

dont woorry canadians------this time they have to come here----and we got a lot of suprizes for any country

[@glen6945]

thk you russia our canadian allies and the americans