Operation Infatuate II: Sherman tanks at Westkapelle

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

The (as of yet) unidentified Sherman V Crab on LCT 1005 was commanded by Lieutenant S.A. Miller. This Crab got ashore first, but it got stuck when it tried to tow the second Crab "RHODERICK DHU" off the beach. It too got swamped by the incoming tide, rendering it useless.

I do not know its name or Turret number, but it has a WD census number ending with “...53”:

The WD census number may be seen on the left-hand flail arm, but is too vague to read:

Just came across a new picture of locals posing in front of Lt. Miller's Sherman V Crab after WW2:

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Source

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Not only tanks littered the area for years after the Operation: this picture shows two LCT's on the sea dike. They were broken up in situ in September 1949, five years after they stranded.

In the background is Radar Station W 154. In November 1944 this was one of the targets of the Commando's, who found it abandoned.

NL-HaNA_2.24.01.09_0_903-6340.jpg

Source: http://proxy.handle.net/10648/a8cf0a...8-003048976d84

[James P]

Hanno, I just have to say what a great thread this is and thanks for the posts and pics.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by James P

Hanno, I just have to say what a great thread this is and thanks for the posts and pics.

My pleasure James, I hope to add more information as research progresses. Having lived in the area the effects of WW2 on that heavily contested area has made a lasting impression on me, even though that was 30-40 years after the war.

It was living in the province of Zeeland that sparked my interest in the Canadian Army overseas during WW2, and thus my eventual involvement in this site: http://www.mapleleafup.net/about.html

Hanno

[David Dunlop]

Hanno.

Was Radar Station W 154 repurposed to another use after the war or demolished? The large structure in the photo looks to have sustained some shell damage, but I have seen worse turned into other things post war.

David

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Was Radar Station W 154 repurposed to another use after the war or demolished? The large structure in the photo looks to have sustained some shell damage, but I have seen worse turned into other things post war.

David,

Together with with other bunkers along the sea dyke, it must have been demolished. Most of them were heavily damaged by the Allied bombardments anyway. After the dyke was breached in 1944, a lot of work was put in rebuilding and strengthening them. This was vital for the population to be able to reclaim the land and start farming again. Anything on the dykes was demolished to ensure their integrity. The demolished bunkers were repurposed, e.g. the path which runs from Oranjezon in Oostkapelle up to Westkapelle through the dunes has been paved with their rubble.

Bunkers more inland were most often left undisturbed, here is an example. Check that site for more traces of war on Walcheren, there is still plenty left to be seen today.

A number of caissons from the Normandy Mulberry harbours were brought in to close the breach. The picture below show the breach just after it was closed, in the foreground remains of a Bofors gun and LVT 4 can still be seen. Once the gap was closed, the dyke was built up further.

Hanno

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[MicS]

The remains of a gun are not a Bofors (40 mm), but a Polsten (20 mm) gun mounted on the LVT, a quite common modification to give LVsT more firepower.

Michel

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

A number of caissons from the Normandy Mulberry harbours were brought in to close the breach. The picture below show the breach just after it was closed, in the foreground remains of an LVT4 with Polsten gun can still be seen. Once the gap was closed, the dyke was built up further.

During the closure of the gap, an M29C Weasel was dragged out. Many Weasels sank while trying to cross the gap, they were worthless in the fast flowing seawater.

The crawler tractor which is used to drag out the Weasel is most likely each-military as well.

NL-HaNA_2.24.10.02_0_120-1155_1.jpg.jpg Weasel Westakapelle.jpg
Source: http://proxy.handle.net/10648/af2323...8-003048976d84


Studying another picture of the gap pictured shortly after the battle show an overturned Weasel trapped under the steel beach defences:

NL-HaNA_2.24.01.03_0_900-2004.jpg Weasel Westkapelle shoreline.jpg
Source: http://proxy.handle.net/10648/ac053c...8-003048976d84