大象传媒

This is a story with a grim beginning - and a bizarre ending.

The great port of Antwerp was in Allied hands, but its value was decreased because shipping was unable to navigate its approach. The attack to free Walchern Island was timed to take place early on the 1st of November 1944. Troops would sail across the Estuary (The Scheldt) on Landing Craft Infantry. We were packed into the boats behind the solid steel ramp. As soon as the flotilla moved off, the Germans opened up with heavy mortar fire. Several boats were hit and some were sunk.

The boat on which I was crouched hard up against the steel ramp seemed to be taking a very long time to cross the stretch of water. All the boats were vulnerable. At last came the order - "Prepare to Storm the Beaches". As soon as the ramp was released - whether it was in one foot of water or six - you jumped out and charged up the beach.

When the ramp went down, I was off and racing for cover on the island. Head half down, I was making good progress, until I suddenly struck an object. As I recovered from the stumble, I heard a voice say, "I've been waiting for you". I looked to my right - and found that the speaker was a young fair-haired blonde. "You've been waiting for me", I exclaimed and then glanced at the object, which had checked my gallant dash. It was a PRAM!!

Looking over the shoulder of the young girl, I saw a group of old men, women and young children, who were all grasping cases, boxes and parcels. Gradually, understanding crept over me. The previous evening, a message had been sent to members of the Dutch Resistance to gather as many of the civilian population as possible on the most southern part of Walchern Island. If possible, a boat would be sent to convey them to the mainland. This was what the Group was waiting for.

I understood what had happened. Why we had taken so long to cross the water was because we had drifted too far to the South. The fighting was to the North, as we realised from the shooting, which we could hear in the distance. I said good-bye to the blonde, and we rushed to catch up with the other units, who were engaged with the enemy.

We found that they had been held up a lot because of some accurate sniping in the dockyards of Flushing. Most of this had been dealt with by the time we reached the scene of the action, but one persistent sniper was still operating, as a young officer found out to his cost. He was carried past us by the stretcher bearers, and his moans of pain were very audible - he had been shot in the buttocks. There was some quiet laughter among the troops, as the litter was hurried to the rear. It was realised that the sniper was in a well concealed place, where he could fire on troops as they approached, and after they had passed him. Suspicion fell on a massive overhead crane, and heavy fire was directed towards it, but occasional shots continued to be fired. Eventually, some Engineers placed explosive charges, which brought the whole structure crashing to the ground. It was said that the sniper was found dead in the strong, well protected cabin of the crane.

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