The Real History Behind 'The Forgotten Battle' | Battle of Walcheren 1944

The 'Forgotten Battle' is a Dutch/Belgian Netflix war film set during the Battle of Walcheren in 1944, part of the Liberation of the Netherlands from German control following the successful D-Day Landings of the Allies. In this video I look at the history of the Battle of the Scheldt and in particular the assault on Walcheren, as well as some of the other historical aspects covered by the film such as Dutchmen who served in the Waffen SS on the Eastern Front and the Dutch Resistance (De Ondergrondse) who fought against the German occupiers and aided the Allies in their push into the Netherlands.

@HistoryHustle 's excellent videos on Dutch Waffen SS units:

Go Fund My Windmills (Patreon):

Join in the Banter on Twitter:

Enter the Fray on Facebook:

Indulge in some Instagram..?(the alliteration needs to stop):

0:00 - Intro
3:00 - Walcheren Remains In German Hands
4:14 - The Battle of Walcheren Causeway
6:18 - Operation Infatuate I & II
8:00 - Walcheren Is Captured
8:47 - Dutchmen Serving in the SS
10:18 - The Dutch Resistance In World War 2
13:04 - Outro

#WW2 #Netherlands #Netflix

[Lord.Kiltridge]

My great uncle was there with the Toronto Scottish. Not only did he survive the battle, but he is still alive today. At 101 years old. Sadly he lost his wife last year. She was also a veteran having served in the Women's Royal Naval Service, (WRNS; popularly and officially known as the Wrens).

[breadman]

I enjoyed this film. It's more centered around the experiences of someone on each side around the battle rather than the battle itself. Helps imagine the stories behind the statistics and maps.

[carolynkeith]

Thank you for making this video! My grandfather fought on the Walcheren causeway with the Calgary highlanders. My father and Brother also served with them in turn. I have attended many of the Walcheren events with my family and it has been so incredibly moving to hear the stories of the vets and the extremely moving tributes given by the dutch community. My grandfather stayed in Holland and fought all the way through until the liberation. When he returned home he would always send chocolate and maple syrup to many of the families he met while he was in Holland. the dutch families would send him tulip bulbs and he would always plant them in the autumn ( usually near the anniversary of the Walcheren battle) i often helped with this. and he always adored the moment they would come up in the spring. He said it reminded him to be grateful for the life he has had, and to always remember those whose lives were cut short.

[theultimategamer]

Great video, I appreciate your recognition of Canada’s role in this battle! 🇨🇦

[merelk.]

I really did enjoy this movie! It focuses far more on the citizens and soldiers that fought in the war instead of the battle itself. It’s a side that isn’t shown as much, but I’m glad it seems to be getting some more attention :) great video!

[HS-sucf]

Norwegian commandos also participated in this battle. As it was the only battle on the continent in which any number of Norwegian ground-troops participated, it is more known in Norway, than in many other places.

[Artur_M.]

It makes me happy to see you recommending History Hustle!
Very interesting video overall. It certainly made me interested in the movie.

[Invicta]

Very good video, I have been reading some of the accounts from Soldier's who fought in the Scheldt battle and it was very eye opening (The Brigade by Terry Copp is a very good book). 15th Army fought tooth and nail for alot of the ground and water. Many soldiers (Canadians, Brits and yanks from 104th infantry divsion) talk alot i find about the wet, cold and absolute desolate conditions they fought in. All while under artillery fire or sporadic MG fire. Its hard too imagine fighting in those kind of conditions in the Polder like territory. Peter White's With the Jocks is quite honest in how bad it was with the 52nd Lowland Division. I wish the Forgotten battle was a series and captured the Battle of the Scheldt properly.

[sterhax]

oh yeah I watched this. doesn’t pull any punches!

love such specific zoomed-in bits of ww2. thanks for the analysis!

[heisnt]

My great grandfather was a RCAF bomber pilot who was shot down over the Netherlands, being our ancestral homeland. I appreciate the recognition of our role in the war which is so often forgotten. 🍁🌷

[elizabethmcguire]

Awesome video! I know in a few months a Danish film is coming out on Netflix about Operation Carthage, I hope you'll do a video about that too!

[enveenva]

Watched this movie last night, it is absolutely amazing. It had special meaning to me because I recently found out my great grandfathers ship, the HMS Orestes, was head of the bombardment group supporting one of the landings, I believe they went ashore as well later on, then continued clearing the scheldt of mines.

[HistoryHustle]

Not sure if I already responded. Great video and many thanks for the shout-out! Interesting enough the Dutch soldier in German service in the film was wearing a Wehrmacht uniform instead of a Waffen-SS uniform. This is incorrect, but I believe this was done to make him look more sympathatic to the viewer. I can understand this.

[gamiezion]

my grandpa also helped some allied airmen in 1 of these attacks. they yolo'd into the field where he was picking beans. the plane door jammed and he (helped) getting it open. according to my grandpa they also died about 10 minutes later, but who knows. basically his word against... noones.

[gertvanderstraaten]

My grandparents hid a Dutch policeman from Eindhoven who refused to work for the Germans. They had a farm so it was easy to get foor. Because that's another thing the resistance did: rob food ration card distribution centers so onderduikers (undergound people) could be fed. They weren't really resistance though, just freelancing, but the risks were the same. They stayed friends all their lives.

[tuckercom]

My great uncle died in the Netherlands Octorber 27th 1944

[williamcooke]

You dd it again, Hilbert: used the 1964 Canadian flag to represent our troops during the 2nd Word War. I sent you copies of the right flags. What more must I do?

[uqioosr]

Thx for yet another great history lesson😊👍

[Jarod-vgwq]

The the movie a few weeks ago on Netflix, blew me away it was that great.

[matthewlee]

As a Canadian I'm glad we got a viseo that addressed some of our contributions to the war. I haven't been this happy since we got to play as Canadians in Call of Duty 3

Edit: movie, not video