'In these dunes between 1st and 3rd November 1944, the men of 47 Royal Marine Commando fought fiercely to capture the heavily defended German battery at Dishoek, codenamed W11. During the battle, which led to the liberation of Walcheren, the Commando suffered heavy casualties. The surrender of this battery on 3rd November secured the seaway to Antwerp which was key to the final liberation of the Netherlands'.
So read the words engraved on an isolated stone memorial sited amongst the remains of 47 RM Commando's main objective, a formidable and sprawling enemy bunker complex consisting of four large calibre artillery coastal guns in concrete casements, three anti-aircraft guns, sandbagged machine gun and mortar posts, barbed wire protected trenches and nine pillboxes spread out over 600m along the dunes.
The memorial also lists the individual names of the thirty-four men of the Commando who were killed during the landing, the approach march and the final dawn attack.
It was to remember the fallen and all those involved in Operation Infatuate that a large gathering of the 47 RM Commando Association (47RMCA) membership mustered at the Polderhuis Museum on 1st November to participate in the international ceremony of remembrance.
This year we were joined by the UK Defence Attaché, Captain Ian Stubbs RN and also Lieutenant Colonel Paul Timmons RM, Liaison Officer in the Netherlands. We were particularly honoured to be further supported by Colonel Karl Gray RM, Lieutenant Greg Rhodes RN and Warrant Officer Glyn 'Lukey' Luke RM, the Commanding Officer, Adjutant and Regimental Sergeant Major of the modern day 47 Commando, taking time out from their busy schedules to involve themselves in our programme of commemorations.
Adding reverence to all ceremonies was Lance Corporal Bugler Callum Budden of the CTCRM Band and also Joris Panis, playing a selection of laments and tunes on the bagpipes.
The following day marked one of the highlights of the visit, the 'Rushing to Flushing' coastal walk following the route taken by 47 RM Commando from Erika landing beach at Westkapelle to the link up with No 4 Commando at Flushing (now known as Vlissingen).
At various key points along the route local historians and Bob Perry talked about the events that took place eighty-one years ago with Dutch participants also adding stories about their family members who endured such deprivation during the long years of enemy occupation.
Due to the dry but blustery weather conditions it was pleasing to be able to take a break at Zoutelande to attend a church service in memory of all those 48 RM Commando personnel killed during the attacks on their particular objectives. It was then onwards to attend a poignant service of remembrance at the impressive 47 RM Commando memorial in the dunes at Dishoek.
It was fitting to end the walk on the waterfront at Uncle Beach where a wreath was laid at the memorial honouring all landing craft crews, especially the Support Squadron Eastern Flank, who took part in Operation Infatuate and also at the adjacent No 4 Commando memorial.
Returning to our comfortable hotel and patrol base in Domburg there was no better way to forget about aching limbs than attendance at our traditional last night dinner. As always, it was a raucous and lively affair attended by the Commanding Officer and Regimental Sergeant Major of 47 Commando and many other invited guests who had contributed much to make the visit so successful.
The next morning prior to returning home we visited Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery where many of those who made the ultimate sacrifice at Walcheren, the later battle for Kapelsche Veer and in the River Maas theatre of operations, rest in perpetuity.
The 47 Royal Marine Commando Association (a virtual branch of the RMA) is proud to continue to commemorate this important Corps Memorable Date and remember all the many other units that performed heroically serving alongside or in support of Four-Seven.
As well as attending the church service at Zoutelande and laying wreaths at the memorials at Flushing, during our visit we also paid our respects at the 41 RM Commando memorial at Domburg and at the 48 RM Commando Serooskerke memorial in honour of the eighteen marines and crew of a Buffalo LVT who were killed when the amphibious vehicle they were in struck a mine.
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