The Sloedam was a dam, connecting the Dutch islands Zuid-Beveland and Walcheren near the town of Arnemuiden. Before the dam was constructed, these islands were separated by a stretch of water called the Sloe. The Sloedam was constructed in 1871 for the railway connection between the towns of Flushing and Roosendaal, the so-called Zeeuwse Lijn (Zealandic Line). After World War II, the areas to the south of the dam were poldered. Since the Veerse Gat estuary was closed off by the Veerse Gatdam in 1961, the Sloedam no longer functions as a primary defense against the sea.

World War II

During World War II, two battles were fought on and around the Sloedam.

Battle of Zeeland

In May 1940, the area was contested during the German invasion of the Low Countries in the Battle of Zeeland. A combined French-Dutch force under brigadier-general Marcel Deslaurens attempted to stop the German invasion, but was unsuccessful.[1] On 17 May a successful combat crossing of the Sloedam was made by SS Regiment Deutschland.[2]

Battle of Walcheren Causeway

In 1944-1945, heavy fighting came to the area when the Allies attempted to clear the Western Scheldt, entrance to the harbor of Antwerp. After heavy fighting, Zeelandic Flanders (south of the Scheldt) and Zuid-Beveland (to the north) were freed from German control by Canadian forces. However, Walcheren island, north of the river mouth, still contained a large German force that controlled access to the Western Scheldt. De Sloedam was the only access road to the former island of Walcheren.

The Canadians reached the dam from Zuid-Beveland. The Germans were well prepared, and had established multiple well-prepared mortar sites that allowed them to fire on every point of the dam. The initial Canadian attempts to reach Walcheren failed. The Calgary Highlanders opened a bridgehead on Walcheren Island on the morning of 1 November 1944. The next day, soldiers of the 52nd (Lowland) Division crossed the Sloe to the south and attacked the German positions at the Sloedam from the rear. By this time the Canadians had withdrawn from the area. The attack on the Sloedam as intended as a diversion for Operation Infatuate, the capture of Walcheren by amphibious troops landing on the west and southern parts of the island.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Cats, Jacques (3 May 2001). "Franse generaal moest zijn moed met de dood bekopen". Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant (in Dutch). Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  2. ↑ Hoebekeke, R.E. Slagveld Sloedam. Drukkerij Bareman, Terneuezen, 2002. ISBN 90-9015327-6
  3. ↑ Canadezen in actie. Henk Bollen en Paul Vroemen; Terra 1992; ISBN 90-6255-599-3

51°30′N 3°42′E / 51.500°N 3.700°E / 51.500; 3.700

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.