Infanterie Division 70

Infanterie Division 70 was a German formation which saw battle with First Canadian Army during the Battle of the Scheldt.

Walcheren Island was garrisoned by the German 70th Division under Generalleutnant Daser. The 70th was referred to as a "White Bread" or Mogen (Stomach) Division since it was made up of men on a special diet for medical reasons. Some were recovering from stomach wounds, others had digestive problems such as ulcers and could not tolerate German flour (heavier and darker than Canadians would be used to). The Germans grouped these men together and in Aug 1944 the 70th Division was assigned guard duty in Zeeland.

The 70th Infantry Division initially held both Walcheren Island and South Beveland but were forced to consolidate on Walcheren itself in late October. Sixty year old Generalmajor Wilhelm Daser was the Division commander. It was composed of Grenadier Regiment 1018 (from Security Battalion 1203 & 1205), Grenadier Regiment 1019 (from Security Battalion. 1211 & 1212), Grenadier Regiment 1020 (from Security Battalion. 1213 & 1214), Divisional Füsilier Battalion 70, and Artillery Regiment 170. The 1019th Grenadier Regiment under Oberst Reinhardt was stationed in Flushing and surrendered on 3 November 1944.

Also in the area were naval personnel of the 202nd Marine Artillery Battalion, as well as remnants of the 64th Infantry Division that had escaped from the Breskens pocket to the south. The 64th had originally been ordered to defend the south bank of the Scheldt Estuary from Zeebrugge to Terneuzen and took heavy losses as the Third Canadian Division battled to clear the area.

The 70th Infantry Division surrendered on 5 November after British landings on Walcheren Island.