Brecht, while 4 took Merxam, just outside CIB Breskens Pocket had only two useful divisions, 2 of Antwerp. Although Canadians were fight- ing and 3 because the ground over which the CID, just beyond Antwerp, 1 Army Tac had an HQ assault had to take place was not suitable for Army Sigs Exchange that opened on the 7th. operations by 4 The British 1st Corps with CAD. After driving the Germans out of the Antwerp the Polish 1st Armoured Division attached was suburbs, 2 began to move toward South CID assigned the task of protecting the left flank of Beveland. At the same time, 3 moved into CID the British 2nd Army. 2 began on 2 October CID position to assault the Breskens Pocket by 1944 to advance northwest out of Antwerp forcing the formidable barrier of the Leopold towards South Beveland. At first all went well Canal. Another threat to the opening of the and within four days the leading el- ements of 2 shipping channel were the for- midable gun were within three miles of Woensdrecht, the CID batteries on Walcheren Island. On a suggestion key town leading to the South Beveland by LGen Simonds, who had taken command of 1 Peninsula. The Germans were alert to the danger Army in the absence of Gen Crerar, the dykes and moved troops, includ- ing the 6th Parachute holding the sea water back were breached by Regiment, guns, and tanks into the area. heavy bombers on 3 October. Very soon, RAF Suddenly, what had be- come an advance into the island appeared from the air as saucer “a Hoogerheide, a mile from Woensdrecht, became filled with water.” a defensive battle as the Germans mounted a Although the opening of the port of Antwerp counter-attack on 8 - 9 October. In an instant, was a priority, the majority of the Al- lied the Germans had saved the key to the Peninsula, resources went to the British 2nd Army and the and forced 2 into a series of costly attacks. CID 1st Army operating to the east of 1 Army. US The R Regt C, on 9 - 10 October, had limited Consequently, 2 Corps, which had the success to- wards cutting the Peninsula west of responsibility to take South Beveland and the Woens-
Brecht, while 4 CIB took Merxam, just outside of Antwerp. Although Canadians were fight- ing just beyond Antwerp, 1 Army Tac HQ had an Army Sigs Exchange that opened on the 7th. After driving the Germans out of the Antwerp suburbs, 2 CID began to move toward South Beveland. At the same time, 3 CID moved into position to assault the Breskens Pocket by forcing the formidable barrier of the Leopold Canal. Another threat to the opening of the shipping channel were the for- midable gun batteries on Walcheren Island. On a suggestion by LGen Simonds, who had taken command of 1 Army in the absence of Gen Crerar, the dykes holding the sea water back were breached by RAF heavy bombers on 3 October. Very soon, the island appeared from the air as “a saucer filled with water.” Although the opening of the port of Antwerp was a priority, the majority of the Al- lied resources went to the British 2nd Army and the US 1st Army operating to the east of 1 Army. Consequently, 2 Corps, which had the responsibility to take South Beveland and the Breskens Pocket had only two useful divisions, 2 and 3 CID, because the ground over which the assault had to take place was not suitable for operations by 4 CAD. The British 1st Corps with the Polish 1st Armoured Division attached was assigned the task of protecting the left flank of the British 2nd Army. 2 CID began on 2 October 1944 to advance northwest out of Antwerp towards South Beveland. At first all went well and within four days the leading el- ements of 2 CID were within three miles of Woensdrecht, the key town leading to the South Beveland Peninsula. The Germans were alert to the danger and moved troops, includ- ing the 6th Parachute Regiment, guns, and tanks into the area. Suddenly, what had be- come an advance into Hoogerheide, a mile from Woensdrecht, became a defensive battle as the Germans mounted a counter-attack on 8 - 9 October. In an instant, the Germans had saved the key to the Peninsula, and forced 2 CID into a series of costly attacks. The R Regt C, on 9 - 10 October, had limited success to- wards cutting the Peninsula west of Woens-
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