Walcheren Island - a Tough Objective

Mr. Walsh discusses the dangerous and time consuming strategy of leapfrogging along the dyked approaches to the German stronghold on Walcheren Island. He describes an alternative strategy, amphibious assault, which eventually succeeds. Finally, he expresses admiration for the impregnability of the German battlements on the island.

Graham Walsh

Graham Walsh was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, on January 22, 1925. He was the third of seven children. His father worked in a steel mill, and made a bit extra selling coke, a smelting byproduct. His father died when he was seven, and Mr. Walsh and his brother worked odd jobs to help the family. He joined the local reserves when he was fifteen and two years later, at the age of seventeen, enlisted for overseas service. Once in England, he was overlooked for Italian deployment and immediately volunteered for Normandy. Mr. Walsh served from France to post-war Germany, via the liberation of Holland, all with the Royal Regiment of Canada. He was fortunate to survive three wounds while in action.

Medium:

Video

Owner:

Veterans Affairs Canada

Duration:

2:37

Person Interviewed:

Graham Walsh

War, Conflict or Mission:

Second World War

Battle/Campaign:

Holland/Netherlands

Branch:

Army

Units/Ship:

Royal Regiment of Canada

Occupation:

Tank Driver

Copyright / Permission to Reproduce