Commandos Strike at Walcheren - november 1944

Operatie Infatuate II (Die als doel had het eiland Walcheren te bevrijden) begon in de vroege morgen van 1 november 1944 vanuit de haven van Breskens die sinds 20 oktober 1944 in geallieerde handen was. Om kwart voor vijf 's morgens verlieten de eerste landingsschepen de Breskense haven. Tegelijkertijd werd vanuit Breskens een inleidende artilleriebeschieting op de Duitse stellingen in Vlissingen uitgevoerd. Na de landing van een kleine verkenningseenheid landde de eerste aanvalsgolf rond 6:35 uur op het strandje bij de Oranjemolen in Vlissingen dat werd aangeduid als 'Uncle Beach'. De aanval op Vlissingen werd uitgevoerd door commando's van het Britse No. 4 Commando waaronder ook Franse, Nederlandse en Belgische militairen (No 2 (Dutch) Troop). De troepen stonden onder bevel van luitenant-kolonel Robert Dawson.
Bron: Oproep Zeeland

[@ruadhagainagaidheal9398]

stirring stuff. My old dad was an army commando trooper , an ordinary man doing extraordinary things. Miss you Pops.

[@expatbob]

Visit the commandos memorial in Speanbridge for your dad. Achnacharry the home of the commandos. All best, Royal.

[@28pbtkh23]

This is astonishing. I have seen several documentaries about the assault on Walcheren Island but I have never heard of the Belgians or Norwegians taking part before. Thank you for posting this video.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

They would have been the men of No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando, specifically No.4 (Belgian) and No. 5 (Norweigan) Troops. Also involved was No. 8 Troop (French). They were attached to the 4th Special Service Brigade which also consisted of No. 41 Commando (RM), No. 46 Commando (RM), No. 47 Commando (RM), No. 48 Commando (RM) and No. 4 Army Commando. No. 46 Commando did not take part in the Battle of the Scheldt after suffering heavy casualties in Normandy; they did not return to the mainland until January 1945.

[@charlieboffin2432]

Thank you so much for posting this wonderful film and commentary detailing Norwegian and Belgian Commando participation during the Westkappelle landings . I have visited the site myself and have seen the British Sherman tank that is there as a monument to the brave Commandos .

[@sjaakdewinter6258]

The forgotten war. Our liberators have fight in Walcheren like never before in history. It was a bloody long fight with a lot of victims. Thank you liberators.

[@adventussaxonum448]

My dad joined up as a RM Commando just after the end of the war (good timing). Most of his NCOs were Normandy and/or Walcheren veterans

[@nicholasdavies6264]

Tough men, tough job ! Even in the heat of battle they smile ! Respect to those utter heroes !

[@nomdeplume798]

I knew something of the fighting around Walcheren but nothing about the actions of Norwegian and Belgian Commandos. Nor even that Norwegian air force squadrons existed at all. Thank you for posting.

[@geraldmiller8973]

this video actually had real scenes of fighting, something a lot of videos lack. really enjoyed this video.

[@pheddupp]

I thought that I had seen all of the WWII footage available, but this gem of a video proved me wrong. Good stuff!

[@spamvacuum]

My grandfather was engineer aboard a 63 foot 'Whaleback' Air Sea Rescue launch, and his squadron were stationed in Vlissingen (we think it was Vlissingen) for a time shortly after liberation. When they arrived at the quayside, there was a large group of townspeople there to greet them. One of the squadron asked the townsfolk if there was anything they needed, and to a man - I don't know if the womenfolk got a say - they all shouted "BEER! We haven't had any beer in nearly four years". Two of the launches were sent back across the North Sea to their former base, where they raided the NAAFI supplies, 'borrowing' several barrels of beer. When they returned the launch crews were hoisted up on the townspeople's shoulders and paraded along the quayside as heroes. Well, this is the tale he told and I've no reason to disbelieve it.

[@KootFloris]

A beautiful story of small humane action, amidst the bigger battle to liberate Europe from some tyrants.

[@wayinfront1]

Never seen this before. Exceptional first-hand account of the Battle of Walcheren.

[@jeanbodie3921]

Netflix and Dutch movie makers have released a film called The Forgotten Battle based on this Battle of Walcheren. Waiting for it to be released in N America with subtitles.

[@johnevans388]

My Uncle Ted Evans was killed here on 2 Nov 1944, he's buried at Bergen Op Zoom. The bombers that prepped Walcheren for the landing flew from Downham Market (RAF Bexwell) about 5 minutes drive from where I live now.

[@bigantplowright5711]

First time viewing, excellent!

[@terencemichaels]

Fascinating, such a wonderful window into history.

[@raveinus]

There are and will remain cowards where their ministers were only crying at the Americans that they should finally get into WW II. They only got on because they got massive colonial areas from the British for it. The air battle over England had been won by the British but with massive material and human lives. They couldn't have continued to fight the Germans. Exactly the same in Dunkirk. We Germans defeated them. Just like the Russian. Both could only continue fighting because they were being supplied with masses of material from the Americans.

[@raymaxwell2940]

@@raveinus my grandfather was RM COMMANDO served in burma towards the end of the war after being at sea convoy duties etc etc with your comment its a bit rich don't you think when your countrymen committed the worse crimes the world has ever seen a few years ago he was awarded the ushakov medal for convoys to russia what a proud day it was to recieve it on his behalf we owe the russians everything they defeated the nazi beasts on the eastern front with their own blood no other country can lose over 20 million and still win now listen up we the Allies beat you get over it and move on it might make you a better human being bobby as for the Americans we stood alone for 3 years and the yanks got paid back with interest with the lend lease act

[@markmccummins8049]

This is news. I’m glad that I watched this ; it was recommended by KZbin on my home page. It’s an eye-opener.

[@danielgreen3715]

The reporter didn't mention that it was Winter flooded cold wet and bitter fighting The Scheldt Estuary was a bloody series of battles each one a set piece invasion

[@esr243]

There is a bit of a mismatch between commentary the pictures. At 2.45 min., the Belgian Captain Danloy, of the 4th Belgian Commando Troop of the 10th Inter-Allied Commando, walks « into the picture » though the narrator refers to the Norwegian. Whilst both the Belgian and Norwegian fought in close proximity during the operations on Walcheren, the Belgian had to relieve them in front of well defended German positions, north of Domburg.

[@alanfaulkner6329]

Bloody legends.

[@tonyh1515]

Fantastic action by these men.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

A good book on this campaign and all the others in this part iv the wat in Europe is "Smashing the Atlantic Wall" by Patrick Delaforce.

[@rossr100]

What a great clip. Who knew... I guess the sound was edited in. Pretty good job for the day

[@raleeuw]

Great video👍💪

[@sr633]

A lady from Norway told me they hid their guns in the woods and had a radio ina bird house

[@somethingelse4878]

A bird chirping on the radio, the germans would not crack that code :-)

[@alanmarr3323]

My uncle was there!

[@toetsenbordridder]

Thank u for ur service

[@jnairac]

, many found , still a few in a LCT and three Royals in those dunes..MiA.

[@gerritsteenbergen4098]

Great Video, This assault whas also joint by Dutch Commando's from Dutch Troop 2.

[@Farmer-bh3cg]

What a wet, mud-soaked miserable, tough fight; a three month many casualty-ed struggle to clear the Scheldt estuary! Montgomery could have cleared it in two days after "Mad Tuesday. He failed to realize that he needed to clear the riverbanks and Walcheren before he could use Antwerp. He wanted All the supplies and All the troops for his Market Garden adventure. Ignoring the evidence of the 9th and 10th SS armored Divisions in Arnhem, Montgomery failed in that effort, too

[@1chish]

Oh look another armchair general joins us and gobs off shit about Montgomery. So what did you do in WWII?

[@Farmer-bh3cg]

@@1chish I didn't; I spent 3 1/2 years in Southeast Asia, then a year on the 38th parallel. I started as an E2 on the machine gun and ended as an O3 commanding an infantry company. How 'bout you?

[@1chish]

@@Farmer-bh3cg You didn't need to add your CV because all I asked was what you did in WWII. Which was the square root of sod all. Like me as I was born 2 years after WWII ended. But I see you are an American. So that explains your bias against Montgomery. You no doubt believe Patton won WWII all on his own right? Interesting the US Army starts people off at the rank of Sergeant? Thats different and its some jump from an enlisted Sergeant to a Lieutenant. However since you added your CV I did 15 years in the RAF arming and maintaining various kites from 1970 to 1985 including going to war in '82 and ended up as a Flight on Fat Alberts. It takes many years to earn your stripes in this man's air force. But this is all irrelevant of course. The point is you slagged off Montgomery saying he could have done 'X' and he didn't do 'Y' (with the benefit of hindsight) when had he been able to do so he would have. He had already liberated the City of Antwerp in September some 2 months before the battle in this film took place. However the port and the The Scheldt peninsular were heavily defended by Waffen SS armour and infantry and it took a long hard fight for the Canadians, Polish and British to relieve Antwerp port itself and a further month to de-mine the Scheldt to allow allied ships to enter safely. So before this happened the allied armies were being supplied from the Normandy beaches (mainly the British Mulberry Harbour) so supply lines restricted military options. Monty's intentions were to land large forces into the Nazi heartland and end the war as soon as possible. Maybe if he hadn't had to about turn and organise the Americans to sort out the Ardennes breakout (as he was asked to by Ike) he could have made faster progress. Who knows? And you throw in Arnhem (aka Market Garden) which was not a total failure at all it was just the final bridge was not completely taken. I doubt you even know there were two operations: "Market" and "Garden". Various reasons can be found why the bridge was not finally taken despite being captured by British paras and while Monty carried responsibility the failures were not as you listed. Of course ultimate responsibility laid with Ike who approved the whole of the two operations. For what its worth respect to your service even if I take offence at your maligning possibly the greatest battle fighting general in WWII.

[@Farmer-bh3cg]

@@1chish JUst as a note I think your Fat Albert is what I know as a C-130 Herky-Bird and A Flight is what I know as a Flight Engineer. Am I correct? Also An E2 is a Private. With An E1 being a Private Recruit; an O3 is a Captain. Does the RA still have Majors as Company CO's? Anyway, We aren't going to change each others minds Monty Failed at Antwerp even though Sir Brian took the can back for not clearing the Scheldt estuary. At the time of taking Antwerp, there was No effective German resistance anywhere in the area. Taking the estuary and Walcheron would have been a walkover. Monty should have directed XXX corps to Continue, even if they had to crawl. Nobody could reform, re-organize, and reconstitute faster than the German army. Giving the Teds a two-three day breather was all it took. Monty's Market (ground) Garden (Airborne) was a tossed together affair that had several significant defects. Fighting an armored corps up a single road with boggy Polder on each side was not a good decision. Gen Urquhart's decision to land his troops 6 miles from his main objective (the Bridge) was clearly a mistake and demonstrated his lack of experience with airborn operations and tactics. Having only one air lift, not two, on the first day also contributed mightily to the British Airborne difficulties. The 82nd Airborne's Gavin also filed to put his best troops onto capturing his bridge significantly slowed the ground attack. Arnhem once again proved how tough a customer Tommy Adkins is in defense but all his efforts were wasted. Monty's claim of the operation being "95% successful" is fatuous. It was an operation that led nowhere, extended Allied lines for no operational payoff, and in large measure led to the Dutch HongerWinter of mass malnutrition and starvation of the Dutch people. Patton was a master of breakout and pursuit warfare., but was not good in the slow slogging "Mile-a-day" advances in the fall/Winter. As a person, he was a jackass. My grandfather was an estate manager in the area and knew Patton's estate manager for his Hamilton Massachusetts estate... This is going on too long so I'll stop but I do have more thoughts if you'd like to entertain them. Take Care

[@fava7753]

. Monty was not a good leader , his men were . Montgomery s tactics were choreographed direct from Bletchley hall by his superiors . By secret decypher of german enigma plans from Turing's code breakers .. Monty had many allies killed in niemagen , he was , supposed to go straight there to support the troops . Instead , he stopped the tanks miles away , well outside of niemagen . When he should have been straight there instead of rolling in a few days later . . Then it was too late . . He made many mistakes that were covered , all for self gratification . He was looked upon by the Russians and the American s as a glory boy with no respect for anyone but himself . Look up the real history . . Who actually won the war for the allies . Turings team at Bletchley . Without these people . Would have been totally different today . . Countless millions of lives were saved .

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Kudos to those brave men..E

[@tombrydson781]

The cameronians Scottish rifles also took part

[@m3cvfm]

My dad was in Commando Number 4 there.

[@nickroberts3101]

My grandfather was also there no4 commando. Most likely fighting along side your father.

[@m3cvfm]

@nickroberts3101 If you look at the Commando Veterans Archive You will be able to see the role call of the members of there Regiment. There is a very good book called The Fighting Fourth. Sorry its the Commando veterans archive

[@TheNextGoogification]

If I was in the situation like that advancing on the enemy, I'd be more concerned with friendly fire than I would be enemy fire

[@Elephantsss]

Yes I was surprised I had thought it was mostly Canadians and RM commandos, My Dad was in Antwerp he had a friend who was highly decorated because of the Walcheren landing but I do not know if my Dad was there too, , he was a regular marine in signals and his division in March 44 was H.B.L. Sigs.Hldg,Coy, , Any help here ? Great video by the way and bless all those brave soldiers for their work. (the Germans did look pleased to surrender but I believe the Canadians had huge casualties. )

[@fraseredkins2509]

And well done Belgium

[@billrand4138]

amazed at all the Denison smocks

[@tombartram7384]

Fun fact. Een korte pauz..is a short rest in Dutch.

[@bastogne315]

Well done 👍 bruvs from Bermondsey. Hoot

[@janhengst4648]

The original broadcast, with sound through the whole film, is here kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnrFlqVni6uepJY

[@georgelatham4994]

Slightly confused. Am I in Norway or the Netherlands??

[@charlesayache6801]

Allied soldiers in the Netherlands.

[@Twirlyhead]

It bothers me them wearing berets into battle; if that is what they actually did. Hmmm.

[@jonmassey8124]

Yes, very often Commando's only wore berets into battle.. the few times they had some kind of 'protective' headwear was if they were involved by Air Drop or assault by Glider. If you watch some old footage of Market Garden you will see this is the case.

[@Twirlyhead]

@@jonmassey8124 Yes, there are plenty of pics of them wearing berets in action though there is no knowing how much of that is for the cameras and it still bothers me that they did at all. A less worrying watch for me is them in action in the Lofoten Islands, helmets all round , though this was prior to the issue of the prized berets I think. Brit soldiers in the Falklands wore berets to make them easier to distinguish from the enemy in the dark of course, a decision which also factored in the artilery situation there.

[@johnknow4097]

@@Twirlyhead I think the camera was the least of their concerns in a battle like this.

[@Twirlyhead]

@@johnknow4097 Staging and reenacting for cameras was commonplace.

[@vvteye]

My dad was in the 47th commando and as the landing craft came in on DDay the officer said ‘I don’t know about you but I’m wearing my beret’. At that point he said they all ditched their helmets and donned on their berets. Sadly, on d day plus 5 he reached over to his mate to refill his vickers machine gun and put his hand in his brains. Whether that was due to not having a helmet on is unknown.

[@johnnygooch8361]

the narrator sounds like Ronald Regan.

[@dhss333]

Where is the string Quartet?

[@61diemai]

Yesteryear we've fought one another to the death , today we're all locked down equally !

[@MrKenny777]

I see a lot of British officers with raffish mustaches - no wonder the Nazis surrendered in droves!

[@johnknow4097]

They were Americans in disguise.

[@JamesTaylor-tf7fd]

Hoofin.

[@robertneven7563]

Nederlandse miltr, ????????????????????????,,, welke èènheid ?????????????????, not true