Background
After the Battle of Normandy, the most important Allied objective was securing a major port to support the advance into Germany. Antwerp was the second largest port after Hamburg and its capture was of paramount importance. By the end of September 1944, Antwerp was firmly in Allied hands and the Canadians had cleared the Channel ports except for Dunkirk. The issue now was that the river approaches to Antwerp from the North Sea were still in German hands.
The clearing of the Scheldt estuary was assigned to the 1st Canadian Army and most of the fighting fell on the shoulders of the 2nd Canadian Corps. The battle opened on 2 October 1944 with the assault over the Leopold Canal by the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division supported by the 4th Canadian Armoured Division. The battle was one of the fiercest and most costly the Canadians faced.
Role of the RCE
Much of the Scheldt is crisscrossed with canals and drainage ditches. Divisional Engineers were given countless assault bridging and obstacle clearance tasks, with follow-up corps and army troops field companies doing major route repairs and line of communications bridging.
Sapper Gallantry
Albert G Alexander was born in Upper Charlo, NB, and served in the 28th Field Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery in 1940-41. He was a carpenter by trade when he volunteered for active service. He enlisted at Dalhousie, NB on 28 February 1941. He trained in Petawawa and was posted to the 8th Field Squadron in November. Albert arrived in the UK in January 1942. He landed in Normandy in July 1944, as part of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division Engineers.
L/Sgt Alexander, MM was awarded the Military Medal for on 13 January 1945 for actions in the Scheldt. He was wounded by mortar fire on 26 April 1945, while in action near a canal in Friesoythe, Germany. L/Sgt Albert Gordon Alexander, MM, died of his wounds the next day. He is buried in the Holten Canadian War Cemetery, the Netherlands.
On the night 4/5 October 1944, during operations to clear the Scheldt pocket, No.3 Troop of 8 Canadian Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers was engaged in the construction of an improvised floating bridge over the Canal de Derivation de la Lys near Moerbergen [Map Reference 015010] to provide a vital supply line to 7 Canadian Infantry Brigade. Lance-Sergeant Alexander was in command of the section engaged in this task. The enemy, realizing that a crossing of the canal was being effected at this point, subjected the bridge site to an intense barrage of shell and mortar fire, and at one time during the night sent a patrol to within 50 yards of Lance-Sergeant Alexander's party. Showing a complete disregard for his own personal safety and remarkable initiative and coolness in the face of the enemy, Lance-Sergeant Alexander kept his party organized and finished the task in time to allow 7 Canadian Infantry Brigade to cross the canal on, 6 October. After that assault, this bridge was used exclusively by that brigade for maintenance, intercommunication and the evacuation of casualties, as it was the only possible route that was not under direct enemy observation. It was largely due to the initiative, high standard of leadership, exceptional coolness under fire, and extreme devotion to duty displayed by Lance-Sergeant Alexander that this crossing was made possible.
Note: Recommended for immediate MM on 18 October 1944, at which time he was a Corporal (Acting Lance-Sergeant).
Photos and personal notes from the files of Gary Silliker.