Graham A. Thomas

The subject of this book is encapsulated in its title – as it examines in detail the operations undertaken by the First Canadian Army to clear the southern banks of the River Scheldt, and the capture of the islands including Walcheren. This element of the Allied campaign in North-West Europe from June 1944 until May 1945 is not covered to the extent that Operation ‘Overlord’ or Operation ‘Market Garden’ are covered in military literature. In terms of the former, that can be accepted, but the fighting alongside the River Scheldt can be argued to be just as strategically important, intense, and costly.

The book is divided into three parts. The first (and smallest) part covers the ‘First Moves’. This gives an abbreviated overview of why and how the operations to clear the River Scheldt had come about, and why they were so important. The second part covers the time period from the collapse of the German forces in Normandy and the Falaise pocket, and the reduction of the Beveland pocket. The last part covers the battle along the causeway and the assault on Walcheren. There are two appendices, one on the air campaign and the other the target schedule for Operation Infatuate.

The chapters are well-written, but inevitably due to the size of the book, some detail is omitted. There are four maps at the front of the book, which appear to have come from an official source, but I am not clear which one. Likewise, all the photographs in the centre of the book are obtained from Wikimedia Commons in the public domain. I am not clear why the two appendices have been included – the first one on the air element is relevant, but I have the impression that the second one of the target list has been included simply because it was available to the author, and not because it adds much to book. It might have been more relevant to include both an Allied and German order of battle, and details of key participants.

In conclusion, a book that covers an important and neglected series of operations, but with some omissions to held it short of being a comprehensive account of the campaign. For those with an interest in these operations, further information can be found on-line, courtesy of the Canadian government, at:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/military-history/h...… (mehr)