47 cdo Kapelsche Veer

Commando island raids

The previous page was: "46 Commando Royal Marines"

47 cdo Kapelsche Veer; Immediately after the Walcheren operation, an arressive counter attack by the German troops caused No. 47 Commando Royal Marines to be sent to strengthen the Allied defensive line, running along the river Maas.

Three Troops of No. 48 Commando Royal Marines joined them.

While they were there, it was realised that not only could they carry out their defensive duties, but they could also be used for what they were specially trained for; Commando Raids.

46 Commando Royal Marines

'Small Raids'

The Commandos could carry-out 'Small Raids'; they could be used for harassing and tormenting the enemy. And they could be used for capturing some of them for intelligence to interrogate.

Intelligence would then be able to learn a little about German movements and their positions; and who knows what damage they might do?

The middle of the river Maas

On the night of the 11/12th January 1945 No. 47 Commando paid a late night clandestine visit to Kapelsche Veer; a large island about five miles long and about one and a half miles wide at its widest point.

It was situated in the middle of the river Maas, about twenty miles north-east of the town of Breda.

The position was strongly held by a German Parachute Regiment, they were good fighting soldiers who fought ferociously, and they were well respected by reputation.

No. 47 Commando were aware of their enemies capabilities, when they went into attack them. The battle lasted all through the night, and not letting up for one moment. Shortly before dawn, when ammunition was getting low, the Commando withdrew, as had been approved before the raid.

One hundred and forty freshly dug graves

It was not until two weeks later when the Canadian's carried out a full scale assault on Kapelsche Veer, to clear the enemy off the island.

That was when they discovered one hundred and forty freshly dug graves, those of the German Parachute Regiment.

No. 47 commando Royal Marines had given a good account of themselves on that dark night when they arrived uninvited.

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47 Commando out on patrol

A raid on 11/12th April 1945 by a patrol of No. 47 Commando Royal Marines, is notable for the fact that they were able to use a decoy landing craft in the enemies' occupied territory.

Using one pound of gun-cotton slabs, they were exploded, and accompanied by the sound of an outboard motor; and noises of paddles splashing in the water and talking loudly in German.

A German patrol of eight men appeared onto the scene, they had come to investigate what was occurring. Having almost completely fallen into an ambush before they realised their mistake.

The Commandos opened fire, killing five soldiers; but three others managed to get away.

It was a shocking sight

Some months later a German officer's diary was discovered amongst some papers, where the losses of the patrol were written, giving a detaild view of disobedience and incompetence of the junior non-commissioned officer in charge.

It was written: "it was a shocking sight," continued the entry, "for me to find those good young soldiers lifeless on the dyke. They could have all been still alive, if they, and above all, the non-commissioned officer, had been trained correctly."

No such accuqusation could be levelled against their adversaries.

It would have been hard to find in the closing stages of the war any troops in the world more skilful than the Commandos; whether they were Army or Royal Marine.

In the dangerous but exciting duty of carrying out a fighting reconnaissance; or a clandestine assault; the Commando has proved to be unique.

The next Link below will be: "47 Commando Port-en-Bessin"

47-Kapelsche-Veer 47 Commando Port-en-Bessin

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