Liberation Route Marker 384: The liberation of Borssele

The liberation of Borssele
The province of Zealand and Flanders play a key role at the end of World War II. From September 4 until November 8 1944 the Battle for the Scheldt takes place with the objective to open up the ports of Antwerp for the Allied war effort. After the successful landing of the Scottish brigades in Baarland and Hoedekenskerke, the Allies advance towards Ellewoutsdijk and Borssele.

During the Second World War, the coastline of Zuid-Beveland was part of the Atlantic Wall. In the (then) municipality of Borssele 46 defense works were built. Most were in the dyke at the so-called Hoek van Borssele (Stützpunkt Blücher). In and around the Berg van Troje (Troy's Mountain) five bunkers appeared, including a hospital bunker. The remaining batteries were located in the Van Citterspolder and in Ellewoutsdijk.

After the landings at Baarland and Hoedekenskerke in October 1944, the Allies moved towards the village of Borssele. Twelve Allied soldiers were killed. On October 30, after suffering extensive damage, the village was liberated. Seven civilians lost their lives.

Audiospot - Borselle

Liberation Route Europe is a certified Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. With hundreds of sites and stories in nine European countries, the route links the main regions along the advance of the Allied Forces in 1943-1945.
The entire route consists of themed routes that can be travelled by by hiking, walking, cycling and car. These routes pass numerous historical and interesting sites and tell stories from a multitude of perspectives that were important in the final phase of World War II.
Many routes feature listening spots, offering the opportunity to listen to a historical story at a location. In addition, many ‘Vectors of Memory’ have been placed, indicating that the passer-by is on one of the Liberation Routes.
The routes can be found on the Liberation Route Europe website or in the app through which many stories can also be listened to.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar & Liberation Route Europe
• Photos: Arjan Vrieze