Walcheren aftermath.

In the end the losses and damage were;

Sunk or sinking:-                         LCG(L) 1 & 2, LCF 37, LCG(M) 101 & 102.                                                                            On fire and abandoned:-              LCF 38.

Damaged and out of action:-       LCG(L) 11 & 17, LCT(R) 334 & 363, LCM 42 & 36, LCS(L) 260

Damaged but continuing:-           LCG(L) 10, LCF 35 & 32, LCH 98.

The five hour battle saw 172 killed and 236 wounded out of the little force. That their sacrifice was not in vain was very evident as Operation Calendar got underway on 3^rd November, even before the island was fully taken. This was the sweeping of the Scheldt for mines. In the end 269 mines were removed and the navigation was declared open 25^th November. The first large ship to discharge in Antwerp was the ‘Fort Cataraqui’, and soon the port was discharging 22000 tons of cargo a day which speeded the run to the Rhine and ultimate victory in Europe.

There were plenty of Honours handed out too. Commander Pugsley was awarded an OBE. Commander K. Sellars was awarded a DSO. Two Royal Marine and twenty two Royal Navy Officers were awarded the DSC and twenty seven RM and RN NCO’s were awarded DSM’s.

After the withdrawal at 1230 the majority of the SSEF withdrew to Ostend. HMS Kingsmill and LCH 269 remained anchored 5 miles off the beach. Apparently the vessels that were anchored received intelligence that they would be attacked by mini submarines and frogmen so the order was given to drop explosives over the side every three minutes. This could have been the incident that I remember Dad talking about, rather than off the Normandy Beaches, until around 1345 when they too left the field. The Warspite, Robert and Erebus withdrew for the night but were able to offer further support the following day before leaving the area. It was to be Warspite’s last action. She had fired 350 rounds of 15” shells between 0800 and 1800 on the 1^st November, which is said by some to be the highest number fired of any vessel. LCH 269 and a hospital craft were thought seaworthy enough to continue to Poole. However the weather blew up and as the landing craft were flat bottomed and high sided they made a lot off leeway. LCH 269 could also only steam at slow speed due to the hole in her bow. Unfortunately the two vessels ended up in the English defensive mine field and they didn’t have charts. The hospital vessel was struck amidships by a mine, lifted bodily out of the water amidships and came down in two pieces and sank in seconds. There were no survivors.

The LCH 269 was the only vessel to return to Poole unscathed. It was very sad to see all the beds that would not be filled again. They were also very upset as some of their personal possessions had been stolen. The vessels of the SSEF were repaired over the next day before wending there way back to Poole. One of the landing craft had 47 plugs in the hull to keep the water out.

Once the survivors had returned to Poole and carried out full repairs and maintenance and prepared the vessels for the next task they were on stand by. Dad remained with the SSEF until 30^th June 1945 but the small ships were not called to fight again. Dad must have been billeted ashore around Poole or Portsmouth but I have no way of knowing where. Earlier in 1945 the small fleet were told to prepare their craft for the Far East as the tide of conflict moved to the Pacific. They were never to go there though In June and July the fleet of vessel were moved round to Appledore where they were laid up for the long term and the remaining crews dispersed.

The only vessel to return to Poole unscathed was LCH 269 and the 16 crew in the next few days decided to raise a fund for a memorial for their fallen friends. Commander Sellars also chipped in a large amount. A wooden plaque was erected outside St Michaels Church, Hamworthy, as the closest to their base, until such time as material and money were available. The plan was to build a lych-gate to the churchyard. It was not until early 1952 that the Admiralty contacted the church and Commander Sellars visited with plans. There was a scheme to enlarge the churchyard so the lych-gate would be incorporated in this. The fund was still too small so the church agreed to fund the base, brick pillars and curved wall whilst the Navy and Marines would find the oak for the woodwork and pay for the two memorial stones that were to be carved by local craftsmen. It was on 5^th July that the Bishop of Salisbury blessed the new churchyard and gate and the Royal Marine Band marched up the road. Admiral Philip Vian and Commander Sellars were among the speech makers and then over 200 enjoyed tea on the Rectory lawn. As far as I know it should still be there.

Memorial Lych-Gate at St Michaels Church Hamworthy

Memorial Plaque sited 5^th July 1952

There are two S206 personal report forms from his time in the SSEF. The first is dated 30^th April 1945 and so several months after the action at Walcheren. It is for recommendation for accelerated promotion  (Admiralty Fleet Order 4067/44). It states his position as Cypher and C.B. Officer. (I think that CB is Confidential Books and were the codes of the day, orders and secret maps etc that were for restricted viewing and were supposed to be kept in a weighted pouch when not in use. It would have been Dad’s duty in a sinking or capture to ensure that the pouch got thrown overboard to prevent them falling in to the hands of the enemy). His general conduct is given as satisfactory (the only other choice is unsatisfactory!). His habit is given as temperate.

Professional Ability 7, Personal Qualities 6, Leadership 6, Intellectual Ability 6, Administrative Ability 7. The general opinion of the Officer is ‘This young Officer has served for a considerable period (as a rating) on various Admiral’s staffs and has knowledge of procedure and customs of the service are wider than is usually found in the Special Cypher Officers. His usefulness in the Squadron has been manifest in many ways, and his willingness and ability to undertake duties not normally expected of his branch, has been marked. He has good organising ability and, as a cypherer, is in the first grade’.

He is recommended for immediate promotion to Special Cypher, and it is signed by his reporting officer Commander L.C.A. Leefe, RN, on 13^th May 1945. Commander Leefe was the Deputy Senior Commander of the Support Squadron, Eastern Flank. His Senior Officer, Captain A.F. Pugsley, RN writes Forwarded, concurring and signed 30^th April 1945. Unless Captain Pugsley has made a mistake it seems that he has originated the report as he dated his part prior to the reporting Officer? This is a much better report than his previous one by a long way so Dad must have acquitted himself well during the Battle or at least during the reorganisation following.

There is then a little mystery as only two weeks later, on 22^nd May there is almost the same report but this time his position is given as Squadron Cypher and CB Officer. It seems that he got a sort of promotion as he is now looking after the whole squadron. However this one is dated 22^nd May by Commander Leefe and 30^th May by Capt. Pugsley. There is a further mystery as the previous merits points have been crossed out and each lowered by one and added in by hand. He is still recommended for immediate promotion though. I wonder if they have reconsidered, or Dad has got bored after almost 6 months of doing not very much and got into trouble, or Commander Leefe liked him less than Capt. Pugsley. We will never know now. I have also found a very short report also written Commander Leefe which states Dad had conducted himself ‘to my entire satisfaction. A keen, zealous and hardworking Officer. Always cheerful and ready to undertake and duty asked of him’. I think this is a much better report as it was shown to the Officer to which it was about rather than the S206 form which was a confidential report and sent to the Admiralty.

Staff Officers, Support Squadron, Eastern Flank. Probably taken in May 1945. (Dad 6^th from left).

Left to Right; Sub. Lt. Robinson, C.O.C.O., Capt. Hiley-Jones B.L.O., Lt. Taylor, S.R.M.O. Admin., Lt. Steel, Squadron Secretary, 2^nd. Off. Summer, Asst. Sec., Sub. Lt. Porter, S.C.Y.O.,  Lt. Comm. Leefe, D.S.C. S.S.E.F., Mr. Hatfield, Bosun, Commander Sellar, C/O., S.S.E.F., Lt. McCormick, S.O.A., Capt. Fisher RM, S.O.R.M., Lt. Legard, S.O.O., Lt. Eastwood, S.O.N., Lt. Thompson, C.O.C.O.,  Sub. Lt. Douglas, Asst. S.C.Y.O., Mr. Toll, Gunner.

Officers of the Support Squadron, Eastern Flank. Dad is at the far right on back row.

 

Inspection of Support Squadron, Eastern Flank by Vice Admiral Sir Harold Burrough at Poole in May 1945. Admiral Burrough was the Allied Naval Commander in Chief, Expeditionary Force until July 1945.

The above three photographs were taken by the Bournmouth Times. Some sources state that the lower photograph was taken prior to the Walcheren Raid. Somebody has written on the back of Dad’s photograph that it was taken in May 1945. The vessels in the background are, from left to right, LCT(Flax)36, LCT(Gun) 536 (very difficult to read but I have not been able to trace a number like this to the Battle of Walcheren), LCT(Headquarters)269, ( I thought Dad may have been on this vessel as it was the close-in HQ vessel with Commander Sellars aboard but on balance as Dad was the Squadron Cypher Officer he was probably on the Kingsmill). It is interesting to note though that he had an assistant, Sub. Lt Douglas.

It looks like the Support Squadron Eastern Flank was disbanded in  June 1945 as the Officers that I can trace all seemed to change postings at this time.

Walcheren landings.

 

41 RM Commando landing from LCI(S) to the north of the gap.

 

The second wave of 41 RM Commando landing from LCT. She has just been hit by a shell. The small tracked vehicle is a Weasel and the large a Buffalo.

41 RM Commandos advancing through Westkapelle with the lighthouse in the back ground. Later used as a radar station by the British.

A flail tank landing from an LCT in the foreground and a buffalo in the background.

The first landings were made by 41 Commando to the north of the gap. They were 25mins later than the planned landing time due to the heavy fire and the need for the SSEF to draw the fire before letting the troops approach the landing. The vessels of the SSEF were sailing up and down the coast engaging the heavy gun positions and machine gun posts. They sustained heavy damage and vessels were sunk and caught fire. The first vessel had been hit at 0920 whilst they were still out of range for their own guns to bear. The LCG(M)’s took the brunt at first as they were able to get the closest to the beach LCG(M) 102 was hit in the stern and was starting to sink. Another craft tried to tow here clear but was hit or caught a mine and had to look after her self. LCG(M) 101 was hit on the beach and suffered great loss of life. The remaining guns continued to fire into the enemy until the vessel had to be abandoned completely.

LCG(M)102 starting to sink.

LCG(M)102 sinking off the beach at Westkapelle.

Survivors from LCG(M) being rescued.

However the landings were proceeding well and the second wave beached and disembarked in their Buffaloes and Weasels. Some of them were able to drive right through the gap in the dyke and others were lost on the beach. 41 Commando moved north from the landing beach at the gap and were able to capture the gun emplacement W15 and the town of Westkapelle just around midday. The troops fighting to the south took the radar station there very quickly but there had a bitter battle to take position W13, finally taking it in the evening. The island was fully taken on 7^th November after the Canadians had forced their way over the causeway too. Instead of the expected 4000 German troops over 8000 surrendered. From the land forces of Infatuate 103 lost their lives, 325 were wounded and 68 were missing. Despite the great loss of live and the hardships the local population had suffered they came out in the streets when ever the Marines arrived. In fact the locals put themselves at risk by travelling through the floods to pass on information to the troops. When the Marines were finally left due to leave the islanders arrived at a hall bringing a bottle of what ever they had available. It was all poured into a big tub and everybody just dipped in their mugs. There were some very ill people the next day.

 

Destroyed gun emplacements on Walcheren.

In the best traditions of the Royal Navy they had sacrificed much to protect the troops in their care. The final tally saw only 7 craft that were fully fit to fight out of the 27 that had started the battle for the SSEF. They had faced a fierce wall of fire from 0900 to 1230 when Commander ‘Monkey’ Sellars advised Commander Pugsley, the Commander of the operation on the Kingsmill that he was withdrawing his ships and it was up to the large vessels offshore to provide support from then.