Liberation route Scottish Highlanders Waalwijk

On Sunday, October 29, 1944, Operation Colin was underway for a week. The 51st (Highland) Division was achieving successes, but had also faced setbacks. The final objective, the bridge over the Bergsche Maas at Keizersveer, was finally in sight.

After heavy fighting, Loon op Zand and Kaatsheuvel were liberated. The Scots' sights were now set on Sprang-Capelle, Waalwijk, Waspik and Raamsdonk. During the night of Sunday, October 29 to Monday, October 30, the German opponent retreated to a strong defense in the Western Langstraat to protect the important bridge for as long as possible.

Therefore, the liberation of Sprang-Capelle and Waalwijk proceeded without many problems, although there were once again civilian casualties as a result of preliminary Allied shelling. Only when the forward Scottish units in Waspik hit the outer ring of the German bridgehead did the battle erupt in all its intensity.

The next day, October 31, there was still heavy fighting and it even came to a mini tank battle. But even here the German resistance was finally broken and that same evening Operation Colin could be successfully concluded. Unfortunately, from that day until the end of the war, the liberated towns lay close to the new front line formed by the Bergsche Maas, with tragic consequences for the civilian population.