Unit/ Formation: 41 Cdo RM
Location: Walcheren
Period/ Conflict: World War II
Year: 1944
Date/s: 5 November 1944
W18 was situated in the area beyond Duinvlietweg, the (open) battery contained 4 heavy coast artillery pieces (88 mm) and 4 anti aircraft guns (94 mm).
W18 was assaulted by 41 (RM) Commando on the left and the Norwegians on the right. Conditions were unfavourable for air support, delaying the attack until the afternoon.
The Norwegians advanced through the woods at 1430hrs, A Troop moving forward at 1500hrs right of the dunes, and Y Troop on the left 15 minutes later, the armour providing the only direct fire support.
Mines made for slow progress, one blowing the track off an AVRE, which had to be left, while machine-gunners in the woods enfiladed movement along the dunes. Two Nebelwerfer north of Oostkapelle gave trouble from a sinister location christened 'Black Hut' after its most conspicuous feature.
Nevertheless, the attack went much according to plan, one of the Shermans blowing up the Nebelwerfer's rocket supply. A and Y Troops successfully assaulted the position, 41 (RM) Commando's second-in-command bringing forward P Troop to help consolidate after the Y Troop commander was killed.
W18 was secured by 1615hrs, with about 300 prisoners, although enemy mortaring continued into the night.
More related Royal Marines History 'Dits'
References/ further reading:
Walcheren 1944: Storming Hitler's island fortress [Richard Brookes]
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