Issue 142: Entering the Breskens pocket
Antwerp, with its extensive port facilities, fell undamaged into Allied hands on september 4, 1944. Unfortunately, the Scheldt river and estuary to the north were still under the control of the German 15th Army. This army had not been as heavily engaged in Normandy and was now ordered to hold the its positions at all costs. Montgomery tasked 1st Canadian army with clearing the mouth of the Scheldt, but it could not immediately spring into action. Its units were occupied with various Channel ports. Not until early October could they start to clear the area north of Antwerp and make a start, at the Leopold Canal.
