Operation Infatuate II: Sherman tanks at Westkapelle

[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

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Today was the day! Went there early in the afternoon, met Hanno IRL a bit later (he’s the one all the way on the right in the first photo) and talked about AFVs, landings, etc. Then we took some photos when the crane and transporter eventually arrived, only several hours after the originally intended time

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[Jakko Westerbeke]

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[Hanno Spoelstra]

Was good meeting you in person today, Jakko! Thanks for the chat and sharing your photos.

It was a long, cold wait - but worth it.

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[Jakko Westerbeke]

Yeah, like I said yesterday, it would have been a lot better if they could have done this in September But at least something is finally happening!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

I’ve uploaded a video of the lifting on 8 December 2020 on YouTube

See it here: https://youtu.be/vZoIQa_qBZ0