The Dirtiest Job of WW2 - Battle of the Scheldt
14,336It seemed like the rain would never end in the seclusive enclaves of the Scheldt Estuary during the Fall of 1944, but despite the thick mud, impenetrable fog, and heavy fire, the Allies had one clear goal: to secure a supply line to Antwerp for the incoming forces advancing into continental Europe.
The excruciatingly challenging circumstances played against the liberators, as almost 86,000 Wehrmacht soldiers steadily defended the position and had no mercy against the Allied forces, most of which belonged to the Canadian Army.
Still, the Canadians and several sympathizers continued advancing to liberate the Scheldt river between Belgium and the Netherlands. And with it, the most fortified German strongpoint of the Atlantic Wall: the Island of Walcheren.
As the amphibious vehicles approached the island, the soldiers could spot the Orange Mill against the glow of fires and realized that the brutal last phase of one of the longest battles in the war had just begun.
Like Bill Davis of the Royal Highland Regiment said: (QUOTE) “That was the dirtiest job that we ever had.”
- As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Docs sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Docs is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas. -