Rear Admiral Van der Stad was acutely aware that the Dutch soldiers who had retreated from North Brabant, and had subsequently been concentrated west of Middelburg, represented more of a burden than a military asset. Their presence created logistical and administrative problems for both his staff and the French forces, while their combat value was considered negligible.
To address the situation, Van der Stad ordered that all unarmed troops be evacuated from Walcheren to Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. The directive soon proved impractical. The limited shipping capacity available made the transportation of some 3,500 men a formidable undertaking. As a result, only about 500 soldiers were actually ferried across the Western Scheldt to the southern shore. The remainder had no choice but to stay.
The exact number of men who ultimately remained on Walcheren is unknown. It is estimated, however, that approximately 3,000 armed soldiers were reassigned to positions in the western sector of the island. Few officers harboured any illusions about their effectiveness. Most of these men had already endured a demoralising retreat, and confidence in their willingness and ability to perform their duties under fire had largely evaporated.
Thus, while Walcheren's defenders appeared to gain several thousand additional troops on paper, the reality was far less encouraging. The island had acquired a sizeable force whose military value was highly questionable - a refugee army in all but name.
Since the previous day, large numbers of residents from Flushing and Middelburg had acted upon the urgent appeal issued by the Mayor of Middelburg to evacuate the two cities and seek shelter in the western part of Walcheren. By now, some 40,000 people were either on the move or had already found refuge elsewhere on the island.
The sudden influx placed a considerable strain on the small villages and hamlets of Walcheren. Homes that were often modest even by the standards of the day became crowded with unexpected guests. Families opened their doors to relatives, friends, and complete strangers alike. Living conditions were frequently cramped, and providing food, bedding, and basic necessities for so many additional people posed a significant challenge, particularly in a region where many households lived with limited means.
Yet, despite these difficulties, the sense of solidarity among the civilian population proved remarkable. In a time marked by fear, uncertainty, and the growing threat of war, the people of Zeeland displayed a strong spirit of mutual support. Although Zeelanders had long enjoyed a reputation elsewhere in the Netherlands for frugality and thrift, such stereotypes mattered little in those desperate days. Faced with a humanitarian emergency, people shared what they had as a matter of course, offering shelter, food, and assistance wherever possible.
The evacuation thus became not only a precaution against the dangers of war, but also a striking demonstration of the resilience and communal spirit of the people of Zeeland
At approximately 1510 hours, a German Junkers Ju 88 bomber of 2./KG 30 was shot down by the anti-aircraft batteries of the British destroyer HMS Whitley, which was patrolling the Western Scheldt. The aircraft crashed onto a sandbank near Borssele. Three members of the crew were killed, while a fourth survived with injuries.
Later that day, three additional German aircraft made an untimely return to earth. During air combats over Flushing, two Heinkel He 111P bombers of Stab/KG 54 and a Bf 109E fighter of 1./JG 20 were shot down by Allied fighters.
Meanwhile, near Aardenburg, north of Flushing, a Bristol Blenheim-IV (L8856) of No. 15 Squadron crash-landed. The aircraft was piloted by Pilot Officer D.S.R. Harriman, whose crew consisted of Flight Sergeant J.R. Stanford and Leading Aircraftman Moorhouse.
The Blenheim had been part of a force of twelve aircraft from Nos. 15 and 40 Squadrons tasked with bombing the Meuse bridge at Dinant. The bombers were escorted by eleven Hurricanes from Nos. 607 and 615 Squadrons. During the operation, two Blenheims and three Hurricanes were shot down. Harriman's aircraft was not among those losses. However, on the return flight one of its propellers suddenly detached, forcing the crew to make an emergency landing. Harriman successfully brought the aircraft down, although Flight Sergeant Stanford sustained injuries during the crash-landing.
At approximately 1540 hours, a Belgian Fairey Fox-VI biplane of 7/III/3 Groupe was shot down near Hoogerheide. The aircraft was flown by Captain Abel A.G. Maquet, who was sadly killed in the crash. The loss was one of the many suffered by the very poorly equipped Belgian Air Force during the desperate fighting of May 1940, as Allied air units continued to contest German air superiority over the Low Countries.