Canada and the Liberation of the Netherlands, May 1945Nazi Germany’s invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940 marked the beginning of five years of terror for the Dutch people. They faced oppression and death with remarkable stoicism, but nothing could save them from the Hunger Winter of 1944-5, when more than 30,000 people died of starvation. In this time of unimaginable despair, Canada came to the rescue, playing the largest role in liberating the Netherlands and ending the Nazi reign of terror. The Canadians gave the Dutch freedom - and food - and out of such dark times an eternal friendship was forged. Told through interviews with Dutch survivors and Canadian veterans, Canada and the Liberation of the Netherlands, May 1945 delves into this little known chapter of history. |
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14th Canadian Hussars 1st Canadian Parachute Ada Wynston Allies Amsterdam Anne Frank Apeldoorn Arnhem artillery attack battle Bergen op Zoom Black Watch bombed Breskens bridge Brigade British camp Canada Canadian Army Canadian Parachute Battalion Canadian soldiers Canadian War Cemetery casualties centre Company Corrie Schogt crossed defences dike Dutch Resistance Elly Dull fighting fire Fort Garry Horse Germans guys Henry Schogt hiding Highland Light Infantry Holland hongerwinter Jack Heidema Jewish Jews Jim Parks killed Kleve land Leopold Canal liberation Lini Grol Maas River March 12-May moved Nazis Netherlands night Nijmegen November 9 October 1-November Operation platoon radio RCAF Regiment Regina Rifle remember Rhine Rhineland Campaign road Royal Canadian Engineers Royal Winnipeg Rifles Russell Sanderson Scheldt shell South Beveland squadrons Sydney Frost tanks thing took town troops vehicles Walcheren Island wanted Westerbork Woensdrecht wounded