On 16 May "SS-Standarte Deutschland" approached the Canal through Zuid-Beveland. The French "271e Régiment d’Infanterie" was partly dug in and helped by three Dutch battalions. An air bombing was done that morning. The first German crossings around 11:00 led to a complete collapse of the defence. On 16 May the island of Tholen was captured. On 17 May Schouwen-Duiveland was captured.