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. |
Contents
| 6 | |
| 8 | |
| 10 | |
A Ray of Hope | 53 |
Battle of the Scheldt October 1 November 8 1944 | 63 |
Winter on the Maas November 9 1944 February 7 1945 | 105 |
The Rhineland Campaign February 8 March 11 1945 | 148 |
The Final Phase March 12 May 4 1945 | 167 |
De Bevrijding May 5 1945 | 208 |
Between Friends | 221 |
Special Thanks | 236 |
Bibliography | 237 |
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14th Canadian Hussars 1st Canadian Parachute 4th Canadian Armoured Ada Wynston Allies Amsterdam Anne Frank Apeldoorn Arnhem artillery attack battle Bergen op Zoom Bevrijding 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 didn’t dike Dutch Resistance Elly Dull fighting fire Fort Garry Horse Germans guys Henry Schogt hiding Highland Light Infantry Hochwald Holland hongerwinter Jack Heidema Jewish Jews Jim Parks killed Kleve land liberation Lini Grol March 12–May moved Nazis Netherlands night Nijmegen November 9 o’clock October 1–November Operation platoon radio RCAF Regiment Regina Rifle remember Rhine Rhineland Campaign road Royal Winnipeg Rifles Russell Sanderson Scheldt shell South Beveland squadrons Sydney Frost tanks there’s thing took town troops Walcheren Island wanted Westerbork Woensdrecht wounded
Popular passages
Page 4 - No one is as capable of gratitude as one who has emerged from the Kingdom of Night. We know that every moment is a moment of grace, every hour an offering; not to share them would mean to betray them. Our lives no longer belong to us alone; they belong to all those who need us desperately.