#Story
Liberation of South Beveland - Ovezande
With the liberation of the last villages in South Beveland on 30 October 1944, the entire peninsula fell into Allied hands. Operation Vitality II was now complete, and the road to Walcheren - where there were still strong German defence lines - lay open. On 29 October, the day Ovezande was also liberated, Hitler ordered his troops to concentrate on Walcheren.
Via Ovezande and Nieuwdorp, Canadian and British troops were able to advance quickly towards the Sloedam, the narrow link between Zuid-Beveland and Walcheren. Here there was still strong German resistance. The fighting around the dam continued for some time before this last part of Zuid-Beveland was also secured.
The liberation of Ovezande itself was accompanied by intensive shelling and air attacks on German positions. Although there was no large-scale bombing, several houses were hit and several inhabitants were killed. Residents sought refuge in shelters and trenches, and help often came from local farmers and resistance fighters.
On 29 October 1944, the Scottish 52nd Lowland Division entered the village. Resistance fighter Willem Remijn showed the liberators the way and helped them locate German troops. The liberation was celebrated in the streets: there was singing, dancing, and children were given chocolate by the allies.