Armoured Support - South Beveland Oct 1944

[Michael Dorosh]

Why was there no armoured support during the operations in Hoogerheide and Woensdrecht in October 1944? 2nd Canadian Division fought through here to clear the "neck" of the South Beveland Peninsula - the land jutting out to the north of the Scheldt Estuary



I know 4th Canadian Armoured Div was to the left of 2nd Div, advancing towards Bergen Op Zoom. 2nd Armoured Brigade and the Polish Armoured Div were operating south of the Scheldt to clear the Breskens Pocket ("Scheldt Fortress South" as the Germans called it).

Was the terrain simply too flooded?

Was there not enough armour to go around?

Was it not felt armour would be necessary?

The Black Watch attack on 13 October was called Black Friday; one company of 90 men was reduced to 4 and every company commander was hit. A Calgary Highlander officer later recounted that walking over the embankment, it was impossible not to step on the dead of the Black Watch, so closely grouped they were. It took many days of fighting in this area to clear it out, despite the fact the Germans were dug in in open ground.

Nicknaming one part of the area "The Coffin" due to its shape didn't help either!

Anything you can tell me about the use of armour in this operation would be useful.

Thanks in advance.