Operation Infatuate II: Sherman tanks at Westkapelle

[Hanno Spoelstra]

A very good source of film is IWM Catalogue number COI 495 "WALCHEREN LANDINGS [Allocated Title]"

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ect/1060021679

Object description

Unedited film of Marine commandos and Norwegian troops attacking Westkapelle, Walcheren.

Full description

The correct sequence is distorted but the film features: 1. LCTs at sea, with some enemy shellfire landing about them. Naval vessels in the background. 2. LCTs disembarking troops and armoured equipment. 3. Troops advancing through sand dunes towards a burning house, whence come Germans carrying a flag of surrender. 4. Sherman tanks in action in the town, and being reloaded from a tracked supply vehicle. 5. Soldiers advancing warily through the town. They pass a Churchill. 6. Troops dug in and advancing in mutual support through a sparse wood. 7. A Typhoon circling over a wood - strafing and rocket attack. 8. Columns of surrendered German troops - one smiles into the camera, a German delaying to pick up his kit is gestured at with a gun. 9. Local populace greeting soldiers and parading and hoisting the Belgian flag. Other clips include: German notices warning of mines; a bunker called "Waldfrieden"; British troops relaxing and drinking from a water bottle; a soldier on a stretcher and one lying dead; armoured Red Cross vehicles; the Norwegian flag among troops' baggage, and rigged over a burnt-out vehicle; men with radio equipment; a Thompson SMG being field stripped; Bren gun firing; and a soldier firing and loading a captured Dreyse MG13.

It contains a lot of footage of the AFVs landing on the beach, and in action further north towards Domburg and the Black Hut area.

Some stills attached of one of the two AVREs which continued in operation. It was apparently named "MINOTAUR" and was part of the load of "CHERRY LCT 6".

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