Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Scheldt Campaign

 Part of the work for Allied forces after Normandy was to secure the Scheldt estuary, a vast wetland and mouth for the Scheldt River at the North Sea. Canadian soldiers spearheaded the campaign, which became as much a battle against the environment as it did the Germans.


Much of this land was under sea level and protected by dikes. The Germans blew up the dikes.


The painting high overhead is by Canadian war artist Orville Fisher, titled Scheldt Crossing.


One of the weapons in the Allied arsenal was a fearsome one: the Wasp Flamethrower.


Another vehicle that started out at this time, proving absolutely essential, was the Jeep. The basic look of the vehicle, which has long since been part of the commercial market, hasn't changed that much.


As difficult a campaign as it was, the Scheldt campaign was successful, and taught the Canadians some lessons along the way. As was the case across the front- western and eastern- time was running out for Nazi Germany.


One of my favourite artifacts in the Museum: a German Walther pistol, and it's because of the story behind it.


As is so often the case in this Museum, the stories of individuals are highlighted, retaining a human touch on things.


Medical kits of the time are found here.


46 comments:

  1. I visited Normandy 5 years ago and it was touching.

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  2. I have a (non- leathal) Walther and hope I never need it.

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  3. I wouldn't know how to handle a gun even if I am given one.

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    1. It's something that only interests me in a museum context.

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  4. I don't remember hearing about that campaign before. I recall reading hat many of the wetlands along the Norfolk coast, where I sometimes go watching birds, were initially created during the war years to make it more difficult for any possible Nazi invasion.

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  5. ...this is something that I never knew about.

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  6. I am not a fan of guns or war. I hope we never have to deal with a war like this again. Take care, enjoy your day!

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  7. Rough terrain, the bombed out city looks much like parts of the Ukraine. War horror

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  8. El medio ambiente , siempre tiene mucho que perder, tanto en la batalla como por la contaminación pacífica. Urge ya una solución para este gran problema.

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  9. The flamethrower was another level of wartime hell.

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  10. More horrors that I didn't know about.

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  11. The Netherlands hoped to be liberated after the battle of the Scheldt. But it was the beginning of the hunger winter in the west of our country.

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  12. That old Jeep looks pretty well used.

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  13. The flamethrower sounds like a weapon from hell.

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  14. It was bad. My parents told me about it. They were children in that war. My grandfather sailed on the scheldt with his ship, as an inland barge skipper. But during the war he was forced to work for the Germans in the Scheldt area. He fled during a bombardment and hid from the Germans.

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  15. I cannot recall hearing about this campaign.

    All the best Jan

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  16. I didn’t know about blowing up the dykes. That was nasty.

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  17. What we have learnt from all these wars is how to kill quicker!

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  18. Quite the battle and exhibit ~ neat photos ~

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  19. Fascinating, a lot of history here. Thanks William!

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