Middelburg, Vlissingen, Zoutelande

5 May is Liberation Day, the day the Netherlands was liberated from German occupation in 1945. However, Walcheren was liberated months earlier, to clear the way to the Scheldt, the port of Antwerp and then the liberation of the Netherlands.

In a plan to overcome the Germans, a capture of the port of Antwerp was crucial. Getting to the port of Antwerp required an open passage for the Allies via the Scheldt. Because the Germans still occupied parts of Zeeland, passage via the Scheldt was not yet possible. Liberation of, among others, Walcheren was therefore of vital importance.

The Allies decided to flood Walcheren to force the occupiers to surrender. The population was advised via the BBC, Radio Oranje and pamphlets to leave the area as soon as possible. For about a week, the dykes at Westkapelle, Vlissingen and Vrouwenpolder were bombed and sea water poured into the country. From different sides, the advance from the sea onto the land could begin. The occupying forces made this more difficult by producing smoke screens on the coast, which ensured limited visibility.

Halfway through 1 November, Westkapelle was liberated and a course could be set for Domburg. In the lighthouse near Domburg a number of German occupiers are hiding, when the Norwegians have a chance to throw grenades inside, the Germans surrender. In the dunes around Domburg there is much fighting for days, there are many occupying bunkers here that have to be taken one by one.

Between Oostkapelle and Domburg is De Manteling van Walcheren. There was also heavy fighting here. When finally the weather was favourable, the British air force came into action with bombers. On 8 November 1944, the battle was over and Walcheren was free. The road to the Scheldt is open and the Allies are one step closer to the liberation of the Netherlands.

Photo: Willem van de Poll, National Archive / Anefo photo collection