Westkapelle - about inundation and liberation

On October 3rd, the sea wall at Westkapelle was heavily bombed creating a gap which let the sea water into the polder flushing away German obstacles and mines set up along the dike. The action of the water also created sandbars on either side of the breach, which were suitable landing sites for boats and amphibious vehicles. This bombardment was not enough, however, to break the German resistance. Therefore, on October 7th, the dikes near Fortress De Nolle in Vlissingen [Flushing], and? near Ritthem between Fort Zoutman and Fort Rammekens  were bombed. And still, inundation did not progress rapidly enough. Finally, on October 17th, the dike between Vrouwenpolder and Veere was bombed and the following week the sluice gates at Vlissingen were opened, allowing the sea unhindered access from all sides. 

These preparations culminated in the definitive seaborne assault on November 1, 1944. Canadian and British troops set foot on shore at Westkapelle and Vlissingen fanning out over areas of higher ground in the dunes in the direction of the towns of Domburg and Vlissingen, while Canadian and Scottish companies marched onto the Sloedam causeway from the east.