Operation Switchback - Paulinapolder Monument

[Hanno Spoelstra]

From Project ‘44:

The forgotten D-Day: Canada’s amphibious assault through the flooded fields of the Scheldt.

Early in the morning on the 9th of October 1944, 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade struck behind German lines in the Breskens Pocket. An amphibious assault from Ghent carried two columns of Buffalo amphibious vehicles across the flooded terrain.

At 2 AM, the North Nova Scotia Highlanders landed on Green Beach and the Highland Light Infantry on Amber Beach. Three hours later, the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders came ashore, completing the landing. With a full brigade now behind enemy lines, the Canadians had bypassed the elaborate German defences designed to block an advance from the south and west.

This bold move forced the Germans to fight on two fronts and marked a turning point in the battle for the Scheldt.

The map shows the path of the Amphibious assault on the western side of the Breskens Pocket. It notes “LVTs out” and “Terrapins out”, which helps to pinpoints where the photos were taken.

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