Vitality I

The south shore of the Scheidt was nearly cleared. Unfortunately, guns on the north bank, though much less commanding, could still threaten the Allied shipping lanes to the port of Antwerp. The eastern portion of the north shore was a …

1944-10-24

R221

The south shore of the Scheidt was nearly cleared. Unfortunately, guns on the north bank, though much less commanding, could still threaten the Allied shipping lanes to the port of Antwerp. The eastern portion of the north shore was a finger like strip of land known as South Beveland. The German defense of South Beveland, and Walcheren Island to the west, was entrusted to the 70th Infantry Division. Known as a "white bread" unit, the 70th was composed of men suffering intestinal ailments. Armed in large part with captured ordnance, what it lacked in fighting spirit it made up for with a series of in-depth fortifications along South Beveland's narrow length. The Canadian First Army had tried earlier to break the German position with an armored thrust-and had been bloodily repulsed. Now, the Canadian 4th Bde# with assault engineers in the spearhead, would make the push.

South Beveland, Holland

The Battle of Overloon was a battle fought in the Second World War battle between Allied forces and the German Army which took place in and around the village of Overloon in the south-east of the Netherlands between 30 September and 18 October 1944. The battle, which resulted in an Allied victory, ensued after the Allies launched Operation Aintree. The Allies went on to liberate the town of Venray. The battle of Overloon ensued as the Allies in Operation Aintree advanced from nearby positions south toward the village of Overloon. After a failed attack on Overloon by the U.S. 7th Armored Division, the British 3rd Infantry Division and the British 11th Armoured Division took over. The U.S. 7th Armored Division was moved south of Overloon to the Deurne – Weert area. Here they were attached to the British Second Army, and ordered to make demonstration attacks to the east in order to divert enemy forces from the Overloon and Venlo areas. Suffering heavy losses the British captured Overloon and moved towards Venray. The advance on Venray resulted in heavy losses, especially around the Loobeek creek, which was swollen due to heavy autumn rains and was flooded and mined by the Germans. Casualties were heavy here among theist Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment which was serving in 185th Infantry Brigade of the British 3rd Division. During the battle, the village of Overloon was destroyed. In and around Overloon, some 2,500 soldiers died, making it one of the bloodiest battles in the Netherlands during the Second World War. Dozens of tanks, mainly American, were destroyed.

Wikipedia: Battle of Overloon

Canadian

German