The Battle of the Scheldt: Canada’s Struggle to Open Antwerp
By the autumn of 1944, the Allied armies were advancing rapidly across Western Europe, having liberated France and much of Belgium. Yet, as the front lines moved closer to Germany, the Allied supply lines grew dangerously stretched, threatening to undermine the momentum that had carried them through Normandy and beyond. The recently liberated port of Antwerp in Belgium, one of Europe’s largest, offered a solution—if it could be accessed. However, German forces controlled the Scheldt Estuary, a winding waterway leading from the North Sea to Antwerp, blocking the Allies from using the port. Thus began the Battle of the Scheldt, a brutal, unforgiving campaign led largely by Canadian forces tasked with clearing the estuary and securing Antwerp as a critical supply route. Historian Terry Copp called the Scheldt Campaign “one of the most grueling and significant battles fought by Canadian forces in the Second World War” (Fields of Fire: The Canadians in Normandy).
Background and Importance of the Scheldt Estuary
The liberation of Antwerp in early September had been a tremendous achievement, but it quickly became apparent that the city was unusable as a supply port as long as German forces occupied the surrounding estuary. The Scheldt Estuary, extending about 70 kilometers from the sea to Antwerp, was lined with German fortifications, minefields, and artillery positions. Allied Supreme Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower and British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery soon recognized that Antwerp’s strategic value could not be realized until the estuary was cleared of German resistance. Historian Stephen Ambrose noted, “The liberation of Antwerp without control of the Scheldt was like capturing a city but leaving its gates firmly locked” (Citizen Soldiers).
The responsibility for this challenging task fell to 1st Canadian Army, under Lieutenant-General Guy Simonds, acting in place of General Harry Crerar, who was temporarily ill. Simonds, a meticulous and determined leader, was no stranger to difficult operations. He had led Canadian forces through intense battles in Normandy and was known for his systematic approach to planning and his willingness to accept calculated risks. Historian J.L. Granatstein remarked, “Simonds’ command of the Scheldt Campaign was a demonstration of both his tactical acumen and his respect for the capabilities and endurance of his troops” (The Generals: The Canadian Army’s Senior Commanders in the Second World War).
Commanders and Units: Canadian and German Forces at the Scheldt
Lieutenant-General Simonds commanded a mix of Canadian, British, and Polish forces under the banner of 1st Canadian Army. The main Canadian units involved included the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, and the 4th Canadian Armoured Division. These divisions were supported by the British 52nd (Lowland) Division and elements of the 1st Polish Armoured Division under Major-General Stanisław Maczek. Facing them were seasoned German forces, including the 15th Army, led by General Gustav-Adolf von Zangen. Von Zangen’s forces, though stretched thin, had transformed the estuary into a formidable defensive position, with well-prepared bunkers, artillery, and fields that could be flooded to hinder Allied movement. Historian C.P. Stacey wrote, “The Germans understood the strategic importance of the Scheldt and had every intention of holding it as long as possible” (Six Years of War).
The Canadian Plan and Execution: A Systematic Approach to a Complex Battlefield
The task of clearing the Scheldt was daunting, given the region’s complex geography, which consisted of winding waterways, low-lying polderlands, and heavily fortified German positions. Simonds devised a systematic plan to clear the estuary in four phases. The first phase involved securing the south bank of the Scheldt, focusing on the Breskens Pocket, a heavily defended German position on the southern shore. Once the south bank was secure, the second phase targeted the island of Walcheren, a heavily fortified area controlling the northern approaches to the estuary. The third phase focused on the island of South Beveland, which lay between the mainland and Walcheren, and the final phase aimed to fully clear the remaining German forces from the entire estuary.
Simonds knew the terrain would be a significant challenge, as much of the area consisted of marshy, low-lying land prone to flooding. To make matters worse, the Germans had flooded large sections of the polders, turning the fields into swamps that severely limited mobility. Canadian engineers, supported by amphibious vehicles and specialized landing craft, would play a critical role in navigating these conditions. Historian Tim Cook noted, “The Scheldt Campaign demanded not just courage, but ingenuity and resourcefulness from the Canadian forces as they adapted to an environment unlike any they had faced before” (The Necessary War).
Progress of the Battle: Clearing the Scheldt Step by Step
The campaign began in early October with Operation Switchback, an assault on the Breskens Pocket. Canadian forces from the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division faced fierce resistance from entrenched German positions as they moved through flooded fields and faced heavy machine-gun and artillery fire. Despite these obstacles, the Canadians advanced relentlessly, engaging in close-quarters combat to clear the pocket village by village. Historian C.P. Stacey described Operation Switchback as “a grueling and bloody fight, marked by mud, exhaustion, and the unyielding courage of Canadian soldiers” (The Canadian Army in the Second World War).
As the Canadians cleared the Breskens Pocket, attention turned to South Beveland and Walcheren Island, where German forces had constructed some of their strongest defenses. In South Beveland, the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division launched Operation Vitality on October 24, pushing across narrow causeways and flooded land, often under withering fire. Casualties were heavy, but the Canadians pressed on, using flamethrowers, tanks, and artillery to clear entrenched German positions. Tim Cook wrote, “The fight for South Beveland was a test of both endurance and determination, where each Canadian advance seemed to defy the impossible” (Fields of Fire).
The final phase of the campaign focused on Walcheren Island, which was heavily fortified and seen as the key to controlling the Scheldt. British forces, under Canadian command, undertook Operation Infatuate, launching an amphibious assault supported by naval bombardments from the Royal Navy. Canadian artillery provided covering fire as British commandos landed on Walcheren’s beaches, engaging in fierce combat with German defenders entrenched in coastal bunkers. The assault was brutal and costly, but by November 8, the island was secured, effectively completing the campaign to clear the Scheldt.
The Result: A Hard-Won Victory and Its Strategic Impact
The Scheldt Campaign came at a high cost. Canadian forces suffered approximately 12,000 casualties over the course of the battle, with many killed or wounded in the treacherous fighting across flooded fields and heavily fortified positions. Yet, the victory was decisive. By clearing the Scheldt Estuary, the Canadians had opened the port of Antwerp, which quickly became a critical supply hub for the Allies. This logistical advantage allowed the Allies to maintain their momentum through the winter, providing a steady flow of supplies, reinforcements, and equipment to the front lines.
The tactical implications of the Scheldt were profound. The Allies had learned hard lessons about amphibious and riverine operations, urban combat, and the importance of logistics in sustaining large-scale offensives. Historian Terry Copp argued, “The Scheldt was not just a battle for a port; it was a battle for the survival of the Allied advance, a campaign that demonstrated the Canadians’ ability to overcome nearly insurmountable obstacles” (Fields of Fire).
Strategically, the victory in the Scheldt was a turning point in the war in Western Europe. With Antwerp secured, the Allies were able to sustain a massive logistical base that would support the final push into Germany. The opening of Antwerp allowed Allied forces to regroup, resupply, and prepare for subsequent offensives, including the Battle of the Bulge and the crossing of the Rhine. The Canadian forces had proved themselves not only as skilled fighters but as adaptable and resilient soldiers, capable of achieving objectives that required determination and innovation.
Conclusion: Canada’s Enduring Legacy in the Scheldt
The Battle of the Scheldt stands as one of the most challenging and significant campaigns fought by Canadian forces in the Second World War. While the liberation of Antwerp brought hope, the brutal task of clearing the Scheldt estuary showed the world the courage and endurance of Canadian soldiers who fought through mud, floods, and fortified German defenses. Historian C.P. Stacey summarized the campaign, stating, “The Canadians at the Scheldt fought not only for a strategic victory but for the very foundation of the Allied advance into Europe” (Six Years of War).
The Scheldt Campaign remains a symbol of Canadian resolve, a reminder of the sacrifices made to secure a pathway to victory in Western Europe. For the men who fought and bled in the marshes and mud, the Scheldt was not just a battle; it was a testament to the strength of character that defined Canada’s contributions to the Allied cause. Their victory opened a gateway to liberation, one that would carry the Allies across Europe and, ultimately, to the heart of Germany itself.
References
- Ambrose, Stephen E. Citizen Soldiers: The U.S. Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany. Simon & Schuster, 1997.
- Copp, Terry. Fields of Fire: The Canadians in Normandy. University of Toronto Press, 2004.
- Granatstein, J.L. The Generals: The Canadian Army’s Senior Commanders in the Second World War. HarperCollins Canada, 1993.
- Stacey, C.P. Six Years of War: The Army in Canada, Britain, and the Pacific. Queen’s Printer, 1955.
- Cook, Tim. The Necessary War: Canadians Fighting the Second World War, 1939–1945. Penguin Canada, 2014.