THE COVENANTER
Platschorre along with Frans de Nooijer verify his position in the Dutch resistance
MBE undertook the burden of organisation and taken to the British commanding
before and during the events. In the middle officer, ‘who introduced himself as Colonel
of a hectic schedule, Frans found time to Leg thereby pointing at his leg! I was
take us on a battlefield tour. Rene Hoebeke requested to accompany a patrol to
has written a substantial history of the persuade ... people to leave their houses in
battles; and has also been responsible for order for the British troops to advance
the erection of notice boards at the unhampered. It wasn’t an easy job, we met
causeway which explain the significance of a lot of opposition, people yelled at us and
the memorials for visitors. reacted furiously but we also experienced
156 Brigade Association
relief and gratitude.’
Charles Frostick, Rfn 17 Platoon, D Coy
Later, Way ‘learned of the decision to
was the original co-ordinator of 156 Bde
evacuate all the inhabitants of Oudelande
Association formed, appropriately, in 1989
and Baarland to Dutch Flanders ... The
when invited by local people to visit Borsele
misery that was hereby brought on is
(the equivalent of our Parish Council). The
almost impossible to describe: all kinds of
Dutch made a return visit to Hamilton in
vehicles coming from everywhere packed
1990. This started a series of reciprocal visits
with adults and children at the crack of
which has continued to this day. While
dawn.
most of the Veterans attending the 60th
Prams and wheelbarrows, bicycles with
anniversary events stayed in hotels, the
elderly people who had to be supported on
Cameronian party were housed, as in every
either side by their relatives, almost
alternate year, with their Dutch friends.
unbelievable! At the foot of the dyke
For the Dutch inhabitants, the arrival of
DUKWs were lying where the wretched
the Allied forces in 1944 was a mixed
things [people] were driven in like cattle
blessing. Yearning to be free of their
because there weren’t enough seats by far. It
occupiers, the joining of battle in the midst
was awfully cold in those DUKWs because
of their community disrupted the status
they were open and there was no shelter
quo and resulted in considerable fear,
whatsoever.’
destruction and hardship, not to mention
Way had to persuade his wife to leave
numerous casualties. Forty-six civilians
with their two children as he ‘had to stay
were killed by allied shelling when
and assist this evacuation, which did not pass
sheltering in Arnimuieden, where they had
speckless (sic) lots of panic and anxiety. After
been moved to facilitate 52nd Division
the boats left, fear gripped me by the throat ...
operations. Despite all the horrors they
how will the Germans react, will they let the
experienced, what shines out to this day is
boats go to ...? This having told, I would have
the eternal and heartfelt gratitude of the
loved to shake the hands of all present Veterans
local people. Not only of those who were
to tell them how happy I am to see and greet
themselves ‘Veterans’ of the battle but also
them again and to express how grateful we are
of succeeding generations. One telling
for their devotion at that time. And, of course,
aspect of the various ceremonies was the
we understand how difficult it will be to stand
involvement of young boys and girls,
still in remembrance of all the comrades who
jointly laying wreaths with grizzled Scottish
gave their lives here for us. ...Finally, our
Veterans; and doing it in a totally un-self
grateful thanks for our liberation .... Adieu
conscious manner because they have been
Cameronians!’
brought up to be aware of the price of The Battle for Walcheren -
freedom and to appreciate that it cannot be November 1944
taken for granted. By 29th November ‘only Walcheren
A policeman, Thijs Way, records how in remained to be liberated. On this peninsula
1944: ‘on the night of 25/26 October I was the Germans had a series of artillery
rudely awakened by the howling of aeroplanes batteries, concrete bunkers, machine gun
followed by the striking of grenades in Baarland nests and other enforcements. With the aim
... as a police officer it goes without saying that of limiting German manoeuvre, the Allied
I would see if I could be of any assistance. Fully Forces decided to flood Walcheren before
dressed in uniform, I opened the door to step the attack ... the sea embankments of
outside when suddenly two [Scottish] soldiers Vlissingen and Veere were also bombed as
with camouflaged faces yelled to me, ‘’hands well forcing the Germans to withdraw to
up’ and ‘who are you?’ higher ground ..., but their heavy artillery
Way was then interrogated, asked to was situated in the dunes area. The RAF was
30
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