Operation Switchback - Paulinapolder Monument

[David Dunlop]

IIRC, the tracks on the Buffalo were somewhat narrow. I suspect if the mud was softer than anticipated, the tracks may have dug into the mud enough the hulls simply bottomed out and the Buffalo would be going nowhere until either enough tide came back in to refloat it, or a LAD could retrieve it.

Either way, pretty uncomfortable for the troops.

Is there any mention in the records about sufficient air cover being provided for the landings?


David

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Though I’ve never been there, if the beach there is the same as here on Walcheren (only about 20 km away, on the other bank of the river) then it’s sand and not a mudflat. Perhaps a relatively thin layer of mud over sand? I don’t remember any reports of LVTs getting stuck on the beach here, three weeks after the Switchback landings.