Operation Infatuate II: Sherman tanks at Westkapelle

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Great to see this subject being researched in-depth. I hope to free up time sometime soon to add more to the discussion.

Lest we forget:

Yesterday 76 years ago, the Allies landed on Walcheren island in an effort to free up the Scheldt estuary. Free access to the Scheldt was needed to enable the use of the port of Antwerp to supply the Allied armies. After a series of harsh battles the German Army was rooted out.

Major Wilfed Sendall was one of the soldiers landing at Westkapelle. His words give an insight into how fierce the German response to the landing was: "Most of the Marines landed early in the assault on Normandy and all of them thought that this little D-Day was far more terrifying than the big one".

Today, all that remains is one Sherman tank as a memorial to this small but hard-fought battle. This thread, the Sherman Register FB album, and Jakko's book show most if not all known pictures of the Sherman tanks which landed during Operation Infatuate II.

See this short video about the commemoration in Westkapelle this year:
https://youtu.be/gW5KGVKcxcQ

[Jakko Westerbeke]

In related news: the municipality last week decided to budget €75,000 for the tank’s restoration. Earlier, I had been told 20,000 by someone more closely involved than I am, so this is good news, and there was talk of the Army lifting and transporting it — though I also know there have been talks with a local crane company to do that, so which it will be, I don’t know yet. I do intend to be there when that happens, though

[David Dunlop]

Jakko.

That is good news!

Do you know if the refurbishment is being considered solely as a ‘standard’ Sherman, or is the plan to reconstruct an acceptable external representation of its wartime Crab entity?

David

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Jakko Westerbeke

In related news: the municipality last week decided to budget €75,000 for the tank’s restoration. Earlier, I had been told 20,000 by someone more closely involved than I am, so this is good news, and there was talk of the Army lifting and transporting it — though I also know there have been talks with a local crane company to do that, so which it will be, I don’t know yet. I do intend to be there when that happens, though

Like I said, the museum, municipality and local sponsors will work something out.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Do you know if the refurbishment is being considered solely as a ‘standard’ Sherman, or is the plan to reconstruct an acceptable external representation of its wartime Crab entity?

David,

The Sherman will be restored as and where it stands today. In its current configuration it has been part of the memorial since its inception.

Edited to add: First position on the dyke, further behind of the stone and brass memorial. Date: ca. 1960

59295503_2207870035958635_4115302856888680448_n.jpg

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Jakko.
Do you know if the refurbishment is being considered solely as a ‘standard’ Sherman, or is the plan to reconstruct an acceptable external representation of its wartime Crab entity?

I don’t know for sure, but I would be highly surprised if restoration of the Crab fittings was in the works. Here’s what the tank looked like in 1962, very soon after it was originally put next to the existing memorial:

Crab T148656 in 1962.jpg

(Note the sheet metal over the remains of the jib attachment points on the front sides.)

I strongly suspect that I know how people would react if the mine-clearing gear were to be reinstated … “That’s not the Tank! What’s all that stuff on the front?”

Oh, and just for fun, here’s when it was replaced in 1988:

T148656 1988.jpeg

I’ve got scans of a whole series of pictures of that, and intend to make my own similar ones of the upcoming restoration

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Jakko Westerbeke

Oh, and just for fun, here’s when it was replaced in 1988:

Was it lifted for restoration in 1988 as well?

Here are some pictures of the last restoration: back in 1994 apprentices of Royal Schelde shipyard restored this Sherman as part of their training. The project was led by Jan Roelse of Royal Schelde, and help was given by fellow Keep Them Rolling members collectors like Peter Aalderson (parts) and Goud (transportation).


Lifting the Sherman off the dyke at Westkapelle (25-03-1994).
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Source: https://proxy.archieven.nl/0/8DC83B9...DD454FF6255BA7 and https://proxy.archieven.nl/0/2FB4082...1470128CE56594


Sherman being transported by low loader to Royal Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen. The transport was donated by Goud Transport company (1994).
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Source: https://proxy.archieven.nl/0/8430EC9...3B9C8F82FD10EE


The team of apprentices of Royal Schelde shipyards pictured in front of their recently completed restoration project (28-10-1994).
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Source: https://proxy.archieven.nl/0/C4414E4...6D36C27D8E5E39


Unveiling of plaques on the restored Sherman tank (28-10-1994).
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Source: https://proxy.archieven.nl/0/181F165...4CAA071EDFAA7E

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Was it lifted for restoration in 1988 as well?

I thought you had read my book?

It was moved in the mid-80s because the dyke was strengthened, to bring that up to Delta-height. It was shifted to the southern side of the Gap, very close to where the lifeboat station is now, and when the works had been completed, it was replaced on a rebuilt and enlarged pedestal. Not in exactly the same spot as before, but close.

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Here are some pictures of the last restoration

Cool, I hadn’t seen those before

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Update: this Tuesday afternoon, 8 December, the tank will be removed from its pedestal and taken to the restorers. The lifting will be done by a local crane company, the moving by the Dutch Army.

Needless to say, I intend to be there