Woensdrecht

Woensdrecht
Municipality
Hill ridge in Woensdrecht
Flag Coat of arms
Location in North Brabant
Coordinates: 51°25′N 4°20′E / 51.417°N 4.333°E / 51.417; 4.333Coordinates: 51°25′N 4°20′E / 51.417°N 4.333°E / 51.417; 4.333
Country	Netherlands
Province	North Brabant
Government
• Body	Municipal council
• Mayor	Steven Adriaansen (VVD)
Area
• Total	91.91 km2 (35.49 sq mi)
• Land	91.55 km2 (35.35 sq mi)
• Water	0.36 km2 (0.14 sq mi)
Elevation	24 m (79 ft)
Population (February 2017)
• Total	21,656
• Density	237/km2 (610/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Woensdrechter
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postcode	4630–4645
Area code	0164
Website	www.woensdrecht.nl

Woensdrecht ( pronunciation ) is a municipality (named after the village) in the southern Netherlands.

Woensdrecht is the home of the Woensdrecht Air Base, which is located to the north-east of the village of Woensdrecht and to the north-west of Huijbergen.

On 2 October 1944, at the beginning of the Battle of the Scheldt (2 October-8 November 1944), the Canadian 2nd Division began its advance north from Antwerp. Stiff fighting at Woensdrecht ensued on 6 October, the objective of the first phase. The Germans, reinforced by Battle Group Chill, saw the priority in holding there, controlling direct access to South Beveland and Walcheren Island. There were heavy casualties as the Canadians attacked over open, flooded land. Driving rain, booby traps and land mines made advance very difficult. On 13 October, what would come to be known as "Black Friday", the Canadian 5th Infantry Brigade's Black Watch was virtually wiped out in an unsuccessful attack. The Calgary Highlanders were to follow up with a more successful action, and their Carrier Platoon succeeded in taking the rail station at Korteven. Heavy fighting at Hoogerheide also ensued, but by 16 October, Woensdrecht was secured, cutting the land link to South Beveland and Walcheren. The Canadians was successful in completing their objective.