On this day in 1944, the Battle of the Scheldt began a few days earlier with divisional engineers of the 2nd Canadian Division clearing mines and building bridges over the Antwerp-Turnhout Canal to prepare the approaches for Operation VITALITY and the clearing of South Beveland in Holland. L/Sgt Robert Cecil Burn of the 11th Fd Coy was awarded to Military Medal for gallantry under fire.