Canadians in Combat: November 6th, 1944

The multi-faceted campaign in the Netherlands had seen much success, though at great cost. 

Elements of the 3rd Canadian Division had slogged through mud and rain to accomplish their task - that of “bursting” the Breskens Pocket. While the town of Breskens itself had fallen on the 21st of October, small groups of determined German defenders remained active in the area. It was not until November 3rd that a victory could finally be recorded in the war diary of the Division - simply written as “Op. Switchback now complete”.

Less and less territory remained under German occupation within the northern reaches of the Netherlands, courtesy of the Canadian 4th Division. Following the capture and liberation of the city Bergen-Op-Zoom, the Canadians continued to swarm over the low countryside. By early November, the Division had reached Zijpe Harbor, where the German Navy had stationed some of its vessels. They were promptly sunk. 

The 2nd Division had finally been afforded rest, but as with most rest periods, it came at a huge cost of blood. In their attempts to take Walcheren Island, the Calgary Highlanders, the Régiment de Maisonneuve, and Black Watch had all sustained heavy casualties. 

Taking the torch from their Canadian comrades, the British 52nd Division outflanked the German defenders, capturing the island’s “capital” of Middelburg on November 6th. 

All that remained was the “mopping up” of remaining German forces - something the Canadians were well accustomed to.