41 cdo Walcheren

Attacking formidable German defences

The previous page was: "Demobilized Commandos"

41 cdo Walcheren; The seizure of the island of Walcheren was carried out by No.41 Commando Royal Marines under Lieutenant-Colonel E. C. E Palmer, No.47 Commando Royal Marines and No.48 Commando Royal Marines they formed up with No.4 Army Commando to make the 4th Special Services Brigade.

They were backed to the hilt by the three Services: Royal Navy, Army and the Royal Air Force. Here are the stories of their actions.

In the house of Commons there hangs a German battle map. upon which is displayed the formidable defences of the island of Walcheren, Holland. The map is the relic of one of the fiercest actions of World War II.

The Great port of Antwerp, the finest in Europe, was in Allied hands. The British and the American Armies now possessed a base large enough to handle their supplies.

But there was one major difficulty Antwerp lies some forty miles south of Schelalt, and both banks were still held in force by the Germans. They had added to the natural defences over 30 huge gun emplacements making the island's defences exceptionally strong by any standards.

Demobilized Commandos

Walcheren was a formidable German fortress.

The port could not be used until the approaches were free. "The Allied needs for the port were imperative." Stated Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery.

The task was entrusted to the 4th Special Services Brigade. It's success was of the first importance.

Shaped like a saucer, of which the rim is composed of high dunes of loose, soft sand which infantry could scramble up, but is impassable to vehicles.

There is a gap in the western edge and is filled by the great dyke Westkapelle. Behind this natural wall of sand lies the ridged Polder land of the island, a flat plain below sea level, dotted with farms and villages.

The first phase was to breach

The first phase was to breach the sea dyke west of Westkapelle allowing the sea water to flood great parts of the island to hamper the movement and to drown many of the field batteries.

This would be carried out by a huge bombing attack in advance of the main assault. The main assault would be backed up by continuous air and naval support.

The plan was a naval bombardment using spotter planes, but as the day dawned there was a heavy mist on all of the airfields and no aircraft were able to take off.

At Walcheren conditions were better and the sea was favourable. H.M.S. Warspite, Erebus and the Roberts opened fire with their huge fifteen inch guns. The German batteries north and south of the dyke immediately replied.

The preliminary bombing had breached the dyke at Westkapelle and Flushing but had failed to do any noticeable damage to the German batteries or defences.

Strong point W.15

Whilst under intensive fire from a resolute enemy 'B' Troop 41 Commando Royal Marines steered through the breach and landed in their tracked amphibious craft. They moved forward taking up a position on the edge of Westkapelle.

There was strong point W.15, this battery was their first target. They were able to get behind it and take it from the rear. 'S' Troop set heavey machine guns to cover the southern fringe.

The remainder of the Commando came ashore including Head Quarters in amphibians and at once made for Westkapelle.

They were met with fire from the lighthouse tower on its eastern edge. This was returned and shortly after some skirmishing procedures Westkapelle was in their hands.

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Large German battery at Domburg

The large German battery at Domburg at once turned its attention away from the naval forces and fired at the Commandos who were now in command at Westkapelle.

Its fire was soon quelled by air strikes from rocket firing typhoons and by fifteen inch shells from the battleship H.M.S. Warspite.

Before this happened 41's Commando advancing towards Domburg were hampered by the large number of German soldiers stepping forward eager to surrender.

41 Commando RM, then extended the battle by fighting its way through Domburg with the help of the light from burning houses set alight by the continuous bombing and shelling.

Having completed its task Army reinforcements and back-up were coming through to relieve them. The Commandos would now be heading for a short period of recuperation before continuing other duties of a hazardous nature.

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