Canadian Military History

Volume 7 Issue 3 Article 4

1998

Operation “”: 5th Canadian Armoured ’s Attack on Delfzijl, 23 April to 2 May 1945

Daniel Byers Royal Military College of Canada

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Recommended Citation Byers, Daniel "Operation “Canada”: 5th Canadian Armoured Division’s Attack on Delfzijl, 23 April to 2 May 1945." Canadian Military History 7, 3 (1998)

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian Military History by an authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Byers: Operation “Canada”: 5th Canadian Armoured Division’s Attack on De

Operation ''Canada'' 5th Canadian Ar111oured Division's Attack on Delfzijl, 23 April to 2 May 1945

Daniel Byers

peration "Canada" was the last action fought elfzijl is located on the coast of the Oby 5th Canadian Armoured Division in the D Estuary, facing the German port of . Second World War. The battle to open the As one of Holland's largest secondary ports, it northern Dutch port of Delfzijllasted ten days, looked promising to military planners for use in and cost the Division a total of 62 dead and 180 relieving the starving Dutch population following wounded. Yet it has largely been forgotten. 1 The the "hunger winter" of 1944-1945.2 At first glance is interesting enough to be it seemed easier to capture than ports in the west worth studying in its own right. As one of the of the country, where German occupiers had last Canadian actions in the war, it reveals the retreated behind prepared defences against the level of proficiency achieved by Canadian soldiers advancing Canadians. In addition, heavy guns by that time. The reduction of the pocket was at Delfzijl protected the approaches to Emden, carried out with a high degree of efficiency, and a potential base for last-ditch operations by£­ saw excellent cooperation between all combat boats, midget submarines, and other naval arms. It is also a useful reminder that for many weapons should continue to resist Canadians the costly fighting did not end in defeat, as it had so far. 3 Emden was a strategic North-West Europe until the very last days of the target for Allied planners, and more importantly war. for 3rd Canadian Division, which was then advancing towards it. 5th Division's The battle for Delfzijl also raises two operations were designed to support that questions: why was it undertaken so close to advance by putting constant pressure on Delfzijl. the end of the war. and why did commanders to prevent the defenders from retreating to continue to advance in the face of strong reinforce Emden.~ Thus, the attack on Delfzijl opposition that was detected early in the was motivated at the strategic level by several operation? The aim of this article is to address factors, which combined to make its capture an these questions, as well as describing the battle important aim. itself in some detail. As it argues. the reduction of the pocket was authorized due to a Unfortunately, the closing of the pocket was combination of strategic and operational factors. complicated by orders designed to protect Dutch It was continued after the strength of the defences inhabitants. Major-General B.M. Hoffmeister, 5th became evident because once the troops were in Division's GOC (General Officer Commanding), range of the pocket's defences it was less costly was asked to mount the operation using nothing to press ahead and finish the task, at least in more powerful than his usual infantry support the eyes of Canadian commanders, than to weapons: tanks, 25-pounder artillery, and 3-inch conduct a longer holding operation or siege. mortars. 5 Against these were ranged four troops oflarge enemy guns from 256 Naval Anti-Aircraft * * * * * Battery, which were located near Delfzijl, and at the "Reider Spit" to the south and east. All were

©Canadian Military History, Volume 7, Number 3. Summer 1998, pp.35-46. 35

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A gathering qf generals at 5th Canadian Armoured Division Headquarters. 20 March 1945. Left to right: Brigadier I.H. Cumberland. commander. 5th Canadian Armoured : Major-General B.M. Hoffmeister; GOC 5th Canadian Armoured Division: unknown: Field Marshal B.L. Montgomery. commander: 21st ; unknown: Lieutenant-General C. Foullces. GOC I Canadian : Brigadier l.S. Johnston. commander; 11 th Canadian lrlfantry Brigade.

now turned inland to protect the pocket. Several Canadian Infantry Brigade. and the immediate concentrations of smaller calibre artillery were commander of the operation. Considering the identified between Delfzijl and the town of number of enemy troops. the long frontage that Farmsum, while heavy coastal guns were sighted would have to be manned, and the artillery to fire into the area from as far away as Emden superiority of his opponents, Johnston chose to and the North Sea island of Borkum.6 begin his attack on Delfzijl as soon as possible. As he later put it. Besides opposition guns, Intelligence Officers identified at least 1500 German defenders There was little cover, the weather was miserable around Delfzijl, mostly naval fortress troops and the enemy shelling was taking it's [sic] toll converted to infantry, located in small battle of casualties. It was accordingly decided to push forward to at least reduce the pocket immediately groups of 80-120 men at various strong points. with the reservation that as the picture developed Experience would prove the total to be more than a pause could be made later when more troops 4000, not including men killed or evacuated to could be rested. ' 0 Emden during the battle. 7 Intelligence reports compared the task of taking Delfzijl to that of Tactical considerations, then, reinforced the "Breskens Pocket" in the Scheidt Estuary at strategic ones in the decision to proceed with Antwerp, one of the 's worst the reduction ofDelfzijl. Although 3rd Division's battles of the previous autumn.8 The terrain matching advance on Emden actually went more around Delfzijl was similar to the Scheidt. slowly than planned over the next few days, consisting of soft polderland crossed by Brigadier Johnston was forced by his local numerous drainage ditches and canals. All situation to proceed with his own attack. He had vehicles were limited to the weak. narrow roads no way to know how close the war was to ending, of the region, and there was little cover anywhere. or the true number of men that his own soldiers Much of the area west ofDelfzijl had been flooded faced, and he planned his battle accordingly. by the Germans, and the pocket was ringed by a prepared system of mines and trenches, linking The two commanders of the operation, strong points centred on local villages. 9 Hoffmeister and Johnston, were well-qualified to assess the dangers. Hoffmeister was one of A tactical problem faced Brigadier Ian S. three prewar militia officers who rose to the rank Johnston, the Commanding Officer of 11th of Major-General during the war. after going

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overseas as a commander with the Propelled and 17th Field , and two Seaforth Highlanders of Vancouver in 1939. He out of three armoured regiments in the Division, took over as Commanding Officer of the unit in the British Columbia Dragoons and the 8th October 1942, and by March 1944 rose to Hussars. For the first two days, the fighting was command 5th Division. Hoffmeister led the led by Brigadier I.H. Cumberland of 5th "Mighty Maroon Machine" through the rest of Canadian Armoured Brigade, who ordered the their battles in Italy, before they moved to North­ Westminsters and Irish to take over positions in West Europe in early 1945. A recent study of the villages of Siddeburen and Oostwolde to the Canada's Second World War generals calls south of Delfzijl, while the Perths dug in to the Hoffmeister "the best Canadian fighting general north. Johnston formally took command on the of the war. "11 Brigadier Johnston was also a morning of April 25, by which time all three veteran of many years in the prewar militia. He were fully involved in combat. mobilized in 1939 with the 48th Highlanders of Toronto. going from Regimental Adjutant to * * * * * Commanding Officer by 1943. and taking command of 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade in he battle for Delfzijl began at 11:00 p.m. on June 1944. 12 Thus. both men were competent. T the evening of April 23. Two platoons of the battle-hardened commanders. who knew their Perth 's "C" Company moved off from jobs, while remembering what combat was like towards the east, capturing the villages for the average infantryman. Neither was likely of Groote Nes and Klein Nes before pressing on to attack Delfzijl unless convinced of the need, to their objectives on the coast. They arrived at and both did all they could to reduce the costs. dawn, just as German artillery zeroed in on their When asked to conduct operations without heavy position. Meanwhile, "B" Company advanced artillery. Hoffmeister reportedly consulted his south-east towards , but soon ran into men down to the level of the other ranks enemy opposition outside the village. Road­ regarding their willingness to carry out the task. 13 bound tanks ofthe British Columbia Dragoons' To avoid enemy artillery. Hoffmeister and Reconnaissance Troop. which were supporting Johnston directed that the operation be carried the Perths, were unable to reach them. Held up out as much as possible as a night attack. by fire from self-propelled guns and other artillery north-west of Nansum, the company To fight the battle, Johnston had under could only move forward again at 9:30 a.m., command four infantry battalions: the Cape when supporting mortars fired smoke and high Breton Highlanders. , the Irish explosives to cover them. The company finally Regiment. and the Westminster Regiment (5th reached the edge of Holwierde at about 10:15. Division's motorized infantry). In support Occupying a village was dangerous work, and Johnston could call on the guns of 8th Self-

Brigadier I. H. Cumberland. 5111 Canadian Armoured Brigade. checlcing a map wiih Lieuienant.-Colonel G.C. ~ Corbauli. Westminster Regiment and Lieut.enani­ Colonel Jack Eaton. 8th New Brunswick Hussars.

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Above: Soldiers of the Perlh Regiment marching to the Jronl, April 1 945

Left: Privates V.R. Davis. D.C. Wragg and J.M. Cunningham of lhe Perth Regiment rest during the 5th Canadian Armoured Division advance. April 1945

enemy artillery continued to inflict casualties 6:00 p.m. on April 24. "A" and "C" companies throughout the afternoon. Enemy patrols also moved off along the road running north from probed the lines during the afternoon and again the village, "C" splitting off to advance along a near midnight. 14 canal on the right. Despite sounds of enemy movement and a few artillery rounds, they made To the south, the Irish Regiment was relieving no direct contact with the enemy, and they 3rd Division's Canadian in continued to move forward cautiously until l :00 . Waiting to be relieved, the Scottish p.m. the next day, reaching a point about two had not pressed forward, and the rest of the town miles south and east of . ](; had to be cleared by the Irish. with the aid of two troops of tanks from the 8th Hussars. 15 The British Columbia Dragoons received one Farther east, the Westminsters took over from of their least pleasant orders on April 23. Crews the Royal Rifles in Oostwolde, from two squadrons were told to "dismount" and accompanied by two more Hussars troops. At act as infantry in , in the centre of

38 https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol7/iss3/4 4 Byers: Operation “Canada”: 5th Canadian Armoured Division’s Attack on De Hoog wJSpijk w~o

. THE DELFZIJL POCKET © Gaarbmdeweer 5th Canadian Armoured Division 111111;' • ~ ®Groote Nes ~ ~Godhnze • ,...: ® eUttemde Kleme Nes Kfem 23 April to 2 May 1945 Olde Nirum Gun '-~Klooster 'a ...e Bty '.... '-<-iJ ®Nansum Miles .rewerd rHolwierde\\

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W\ Oostewolde N Perth Regiment - • + 9th Cdn Armd Reg! • • • • ...... w-

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g; u ~ :5·g [j) :r: A·~··«~~·r,\""~···· "":i ::00 ..Q 2 ~

A Sherman Firejly. modified with extra armour. Q{ the 5th Canadian Armoured Division. moves through the town of Put/en. Holland. 18 April 1945.

drizzle then set in across the region, becoming a requests for additional armour over the next two constant feature for the rest of the fighting. ~ 0 At hours, before the enemy finally surrendered the the same time. troops were happy to welcome position, along with forty-two prisoners. The the 109th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Royal tanks continued to be exposed to heavy artillery 2 1 Artillery, to the area south-west of Appingedam, fire for some time thereafter. : in an attempt to match the enemy's superior guns. They were soon joined by one battery from While the Perths were advancing in the north, 1st Heavy Regiment, R.A. 21 a Westminster attack was getting underway at the other end of the perimeter. Covered by The period April 26-27 saw fighting resume massed guns of supporting tanks, 17th Field for all units in the Delfzijl pocket. The first to Regiment, and six new 105-mm Hussars tanks advance were the Irish to the south, who moved dug in as artillery, "A" Company passed right out of Wagenborgen in mid-afternoon on the through Woldendorp before their opponents 26th, facing little direct opposition but heavy recovered. They were promptly cut off, and artillery fire. "C" Company passed through the trapped for the rest of the day. Thai evening. a lead company, "A", at about 4:30. and continued counter-attack came in from all sides, and the along the road to Heveskes until 6:00p.m. "D" company only survived the hour-long battle Company then moved off on the left, struggling thanks to supporting fire from their own artillery forward against strong opposition until 11:00 and tanks, and captured German arms that they p.m., when all three companies dug in.22 pressed into service. "C" Company launched an attack on Woldendorp two hours later. taking To the north, the Perth Regiment's attack the rest of the night to reach their comrades. began shortly after. "D" Company led off at 12:35 Together, the survivors resisted another counter­ a.m., followed closely by "C". and both were near attack. and the two companies began to clear the coast of the Ems Estuary by 4:00 a.m. "D" the town. They were heavily shelled, but managed Company then began to face increasing small to complete their task by noon. 24 arms fire. 8th Hussars tanks arrived to help, and together they reached their objective. Strong As the Westminsters attempted to free their resistance continued, and one tank was knocked men in Woldendorp on the night of April27 /28, out. The company commander made two on the left two companies of the Irish began

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Canadian armour. including a Sherman "Flail'' tank, receives a warm welcome as it passes through the streets of Putten. Holland, 18 April 1945.

another advance. "C" Company forced its way They were finally halted by German artillery and through wire and considerable opposition a self-propelled gun at about 4:30. Smoke was throughout the night, first light finding them 500 fired over the positions, and one platoon yards short of Heveskes. Meanwhile, "A" struggled onto the company's objectives. The Company moved off to the north-east, following 's leading platoon drew up just short of a canal that ended at on the coast. the Nansum guns at 7:15p.m., and the reserve As they approached their objectives, small arms company was ordered to pass through. At 10:00 fire increased, and the company was suddenly p.m. they, too, called for smoke, and twenty-five surrounded. Only one platoon escaped the trap minutes later they requested artillery fire to that had been laid, and the rest ofthe company neutralize the guns. "C" Company finally took found itself in the same position as that of the the fortified position at about 10:45 on the Westminsters the day before.25 evening of April 28, capturing 117 prisoners in the process.26 To the north, the same night saw the Perths launch a complicated four-company assault on The capture of Nansum was completed Nansum. "C" Company moved off at about 1:00 overnight. "A" Company led the advance, but had a.m., heading towards the heavy guns that had a difficult time crossing the last 300-400 yards shelled them for days. Unfortunately, the men in front of the town. They were stopped by a were trapped in a minefield about two hours machine gun at about 1:45 a.m., and remained later, the Company Commander and Lieutenant 200 yards short of Nansum four hours later, killed by the first mines. Patrols could not find a when they called for more ammunition. A gap before daybreak, and the whole Nansum counter-attack followed shortly after. Although attack was delayed. All companies were heavily they were never cut off, the men of"A" Company shelled during the morning by enemy guns, were forced to rely on captured weapons and which were now firing at almost point-blank ammunition to hold their position, just as the range. ''D" Company finally managed to move Westminsters thirty-three hours earlier. again at 3:15 that afternoon. Meeting slight Supporting artillery fire helped to end the fight, opposition, they called down their own artillery, and the company's ammunition lines were re­ and ruthlessly set fire to houses to drive out opened. It was not until 2:30p.m. that the last German defenders and maintain their advance. of the day's obstacles were overcome and the

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~~~ die Verteidiger vom Thirty thousand leqfiets Wee this one werefired into the Delfz!jl pocket in specially modified Kessel Delfziil smoke shells on 29 April. The translation reads:

To the defenders of the Delfzijl Pocket. Himmler hat heute den Allierten bedin Himmler has today offered unconditional gungslose Kapitulation angeboten um weiteres surrender to the Allies to prevent further unnecessary bloodshed. unniitzes blutvergieszen zu vermeiden. We Canadians assume that up to Wir Kanadier nehmen an, dasz lhr bis jetzt now you don't know about this. noch keine Ahnung davon habt. The War is practically over. You have done your duty.

Der Krieg ist praktisch aus. Send a representative over with a white flag as a sign of your surrender. lhre Pflicht ist getan.

The appeal was apparently unsuccessful.

Schickt einen Parlementar mit der [From the War Diary. 5th Canadian Armoured Division HQ. May 1945. App. 1 I 1A.] weissen Flagge heri.iber zum Zeichen der Uebergabe.

advance on Nansum resumed. Artillery fire was shooting it up. "28 Despite their preparations the directed on the village. and "A'' Company finally Dragoons were quite happy to find the town entered it at 4:50p.m. Patrols continued to meet abandoned, although it was heavily shelled as opposition for the next hour. Meanwhile, "C" and soon as they entered it. One troop of tanks was "D" companies spent the day clearing the sent towards Holwierde to contact the Perths, recently-captured coastal guns and the area closing the ring in the northern half of the between Holwierde and Nansum. In all, the pocket.29 Regiment took 295 prisoners for the day, and its men were ready for a well-deserved rest when To the south the Delfzijl perimeter was the relieved them that closing as well. The Westminsters launched an evening, in preparation for the final attack on attack towards the coast before midnight, and Delfzijl. "D" Company stayed in action for the "B" Company found itself 1000 yards short of time being, taking over "B" Company positions Termunterzijl by first light. They chose to risk in HolwierdeY running across the final stretch of open polder rather than staying in their exposed positions. That night, the British Columbia Dragoons By 5:15a.m. the company was firmly in town launched their most complicated and potentially and patrolling towards the water, having closed dangerous operation of the battle, a combined a major evacuation centre. and trapping about infantry-armoured attack to link up with the 500 German prisoners. To the right. "A" Perths. All available tanks were enlisted to Company took control of the town ofTermunten support the assaulting troopers, and a short time later, and began patrolling east to Reconnaissance and even Headquarters tanks the Reider Spit, the battalion's last objective. were pressed into action to fill out the order of That afternoon "C" Company moved to within battle. The force headed off at 10:15 p.m., sight of German crews loading and firing the guns moving north and then turning to come in on that tormented the Westminsters. The position the town ofMarsum from the west, "after liberally was well-defended by mines. wire. and concrete.

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however, and the only friendly artillery were six meet more active resistance. Forty-nine prisoners 105-mm Hussars tanks, and one 7.2-inch were taken following a short fight, and by howitzer from 1st Heavy Regiment, R.A. The men midnight the men were moving ahead again. By were ordered to pull back to less exposed morning, "D" Company got within 100 yards of positions while a two-company daylight attack the Delfzijl guns that were the target of their with full artillery support was prepared.30 advance, before being pinned down short of ammunition. As daylight approached, enemy By then, the Cape Breton Highlanders had defences were clearly stronger than expected. moved into position for the final attack on The New Brunswick Hussars lost two tanks Delfzijl. At this point it is worth remembering helping "B" Company forward, but went on that Brigadier Johnston had hoped to rest his without them to capture one of the company's troops after reducing the perimeter of the pocket. objectives, a rare example of armour leading But most of the guns remained active, and the infantry onto an objective, and proof of the degree Canadians were now in point-blank range. In the of cooperation achieved by units of 5th Division end, it proved less costly to have the CBH push by the end of the war. on and end the battle as quickly as possible. Their C.O., Lt-Col R.B. Somerville, prepared an By this point, "D" Company was urgently in intricate plan for the advance on Delfzijl, which need of help. They were still pinned down, and was to take place in several deliberate stages. unable to send anyone back to guide in their "A" and "B" companies were to lead off and ammunition. A reinforcement platoon finally capture points on the coastal dyke east and reached them under cover of smoke, gathering slightly north of . "C" Company would up a stray supply party along the way. Now that pass through and take the battery of coastal guns "D" Company's position was secured, "B" was north of Delfzijl. "D" would then continue the ordered to move on to the Delfzijl railway station, advance and seize a group of guns in the harbour, and another troop of Hussars tanks was sent to to be followed by an attack on the railway station help. They reached the station at 10:14 a.m., at the northern edge of the port. From there, and captured several hundred prisoners during troops would clear the town itself. 31 The attack and after their attack. It was during this advance was planned to begin the night of April 29/30, that the third Military Cross of the operation was but Somerville was forced to change plans when won.35 Major Tim Ellis, who was temporarily poor weather washed out roads in the rear.:32 A commanding "A" Squadron, describes the action further shock came in the form of one man killed that won the M.C. for one of his Lieutenants: and two wounded as "A" Company came up to relieve the Perths, when a German prisoner being I sent Bill Gerrard's troop in. only to have it shot escorted to the rear accidentally stepped on a to a standstill part way there. Bill stood in his turret while the Jerries were finishing off his mine. To top off a miserable night for "A" disabled tank and gave a detailed description of Company, the weather was cold and wet, rations the fortifications and gun positions. camouflaged did not get through due to a bogged tank blocking to look like houses, then made it safely back up the road, and the men were shelled during the the ditch along with his crews. :lG night. The opposition met by the Perths in Nansum, and the need to clear the minefield they Gerrard's own gunner reportedly knocked out had discovered, also influenced the Cape Breton two of the three anti- tank guns that opposed CO's decision to substitute an intermediate the troop, before the crew finally evacuated the 37 attack on Uitwierde, which began just before tank. Another of the crew members, who helped midnight. "A'" and "B" companies reached their the wounded men into the ditch, remembers that objectives within about three hours, meeting German machine-gunners stopped firing for a moderate opposition and taking 240 prisoners moment to allow them to get to safety.:;e along the way.Tl By 11:20 a.m., Delfzijl had been split in two The CBH launched their final attack on the by the combined CBH-Sth Hussars attack. The port ofDelfzijl at 10:00 p.m. on the night of April remaining defenders began heading to sea in 30.:14 "C" Company soon ran into a minefield, boats, but not before the Cape Breton and the pioneer section went to work. The Highlanders brought their prisoner count for the infantry broke free before 11:00 p.m., only to past three days to over 1500. To the south,

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German gunners also evacuated the Reider Spit espite the late date of the Delfzijl battle. and overnight, the Westminsters hearing the guns go D the speed with which peace followed, the silent at 3:00 a.m. A freed Russian prisoner operation was carried out with dash and arrived to report that the crew had left the Spit, efficiency. Sixty-two men sacrificed their lives to and a patrol went in to confirm the statement seize the port, against formidable opposition. In that afternoon, after smoke cleared from around hindsight, the usefulness of the fighting might the guns and a white flag became visible. Except be questioned. As has been argued, however, at for some shelling from Emden, a minor nuisance the time of the attack it was made for what compared to the Spit guns, the rest of the seemed to be valid reasons. Commanders hoped Westminsters' day was quiet.39 to use Delfzijl to land relief supplies, and it was an important defensive link to Emden, a strategic One final pocket of German troops remained, target where 3rd Division was still operating. located between Delfzijl and Farmsum. The task Once units were in place around the pocket. of eliminating it fell to the Irish Regiment. "A" enemy artillery combined with orders limiting Company set off from Heveskes one minute after the use of supporting weapons led Brigadier midnight on May 2, following a supporting Johnston to begin his attack immediately, to artillery barrage into . The company reduce his frontage and the dangers to his troops. raced through, seizing bridges on the western As the fighting continued it became evident that outskirts of the town before they could be his position would not improve until the pocket destroyed. "C" Company soon arrived to help was completely eliminated. and so the battle clear Weiwerd, and despite strong opposition continued. It is only after the fact that we know they completed the task by about 3:00a.m. "B" just how near the war was to ending. Years later, company in reserve moved up and passed Brigadier Johnston made a comment that through Weiwerd two hours later. Supported probably best summarizes the sacrifice of the closely by Hussars tanks, the men moved down sixty-two men of 5th Division who gave their lives the road toward Farmsum. The advance brought in late April and early May of 1945: "'They were on an immediate fire fight, and opposition determined in the capture ofDelfzijl when victory continued until 6:40 a.m., when the senior was in our hands and life once more was 4 German leader in the pocket finally requested precious. " :3 terms of surrender. Lt-Col L.H.C. Payne of the Irish Regiment officially accepted the unconditional surrender of the Delfzijl garrison 40 a few minutes later. Notes After the surrender of the last German defenders, the Irish, British Columbia Dragoons 1. The most detailed account is a brief description of and Cape Breton Highlanders continued to clear operations in C.P. Stacey. Qfllcial History oft he CanadiCln the area between Appingedam and Delfzijl, Army in the Second World WClr. vol.3. The Victory establishing contact shortly after noon.41 Helped Campaign: The Operations in Nort.h-West ELLrope. 1944- by the German commander, German and 1945 (Ottawa: Queen's Printer. 1960), pp.591-94. 2. Major-General B.M. Hoffmeister. letter to author. I March Canadian engineers began clearing Delfzijl's port 1991. area of mines. The Canadians reportedly tore 3. On Allied fears of such weapons. see Nal ional Arc!1ives out demolition charges without even stopping of Canada [NAC] Record Group IRG ]24. Vol.10941. File to search for booby-traps.42 Over the next two 245.C5023(D 1 ). "5 Cdn Armel Div: Intelligence Summary No. 132," 27 April I 945. Also John Ehrman. Gmnd days. the pocket was fully cleared and units Strategy, vol.1. October 1944-ALLgus/ 1945 (London: either pulled back to rest areas or settled down HMSO. 1956). pp.15-18, and F.H. Hinsley. British to coast-watching duties on the Ems Estuary. The Intelligence in the Second World War: Its l!l/ILLence on long-awaited news of the German surrender in Sl.rategy and Operations. vo1.3. pl.2 (London: HMSO. 1988). pp.625-41. North-West Europe came on the evening of May 4. Stacey. Victory Cwnpaign. p.593. 4, and for 5th Division the war formally ended 5. Hoffmeister to author. 18 January 1991. For comments the next morning. on concerns for Dutch civilians. see Terry Copp. A Cwwdicm's GLLide to the Bollle/lelds qf" Nor/ h-West ELLrope (Waterloo: Laurier Centre for Mililary. Strategic. * * * * * and Disarmament Studies. 1995). p.216.

44 https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol7/iss3/4 10 Byers: Operation “Canada”: 5th Canadian Armoured Division’s Attack on De

6. "5 Cdn Armel Div: Intelligence Summary No. 132." 27 23. WD. Perth Regiment. 27 April 1945. April1945. op.ciL. and NAC RG 24. Vol.l4160. War Diary 24. WD, Westminster Regimenl. 26-28 April 1945. [WD]. HQ II Canadian Infantry Brigade, April 1945. 25. WD. Irish Regiment. 28 April 1945. Appx. 6: Brigadier lan S. Johnston. "Report on 26. WD. Perth Regiment. 28 April1945. Operations: 11 Ccln lnfBcle (for periocl20 April1945 till 27. Ibid., 29 April 1945. 2 May 45). The Battle for Delfzijl."' 28 May 1945. p.2. 28. WD. British Columbia Dragoons, 29 April 1945. 7. The final prisoner count was l 09 officers ancl4.034 other 29. Ibid. ranks. NAC RG 24. Vol. 13798. WD. HQ 5th Canadian 30. DHH 145.2W1011(Dl). Lieutenant-Colonel G.C. Armoured Division. 3 May 1945. Corbould. "Report on Operations for Periocl24 Apr-! May 8. Directorate of History and Heritage. Department of 1945: Operation ·canada', .. p.5. Also WD. Westminster National Defence. Ottawa[DHH). File 112.3M1009(Dll4). Regiment. 29-30 April 1945. "2 Intelligence Summary." No. 160. 20 31. DHH 145.2C5013, Lieutenant-Colonel R.B. Somerville. April1945. "Report on Operations of the Cape Breton Highlanders. 9. On German p1·eparations at Delfzijl. see also Ibid., Holland. for the period 27 March 1945 to the 8th May No.159. 18 April 1945: NAC RG 24. Vol.l0941. File 1945," p.2. 245.C5023(D I). "5 Ccln Armel Div: Intelligence Summa1y 32. Johnston, ''Report on Operations." p.8. No. 131." 25 April1945: and DHH 112.3M1009(D121) 33. See Somerville, ·'Report. on Opera lions." p.2 and NAC " Intelligence Summary No. 300.'' RG 24, Vol.15048. WD. Cape Breton Highlanders. 29-30 26 April45. April1945. 10. Johnston. "Report on Operations." pp.3-4. 34. The following account of the ballalion's actions is from 11. J.L. Granatstein. The GeneraLs: The Canadian Army's their WD for Apri130-May 1. unless otherwise noted. Senior Comnwnders in I he Second World War (Toronto: 35. Two Military Crosses were awarded to Forward Stoddart. 1993). p.l80. Granatstein discusses Observation Officers, Captains W.T. Thompson (8th Field Hoffmeister on pp.189-202. which are excerpted in Regiment) and D.G. Pyper (17th Field Regiment). for Canadian Military Hisl.ory Vol.2. No.2 (Autumn 1993). actions earlier in the operation. Captain Pyper's signaller. pp.57-64. See also Stacey. Victor'!} Campaign. pp.264 and Gunner David Fehr, also won a Milita1y Medal. suggesting 384: W.J. McAndrew. "Hoflineister. Bertram Meryl." both the hazards of such duties and the nature of the Cwwdian Enet;dopedia. Second Edition. 1988: and larger baUle. For further details. see G. W. L. Nicholson. biographical information on NAC RG 24, Vo\.10786, File The Gunners of Canada: The Hisl.ory of l.he Royal 224Cl.069(D 1 ). Regiment qj' Canadian Artillery. vol.2. 1919-1967 12. Ibid .. and G.W.L. Nicholson. Official History qf the (Toronto: McClelland and St.ewarl. 1972). p.442 fn.2. Canadicm Army in the Second Wortd War. vol.2. 36. !-I.R.S. Ellis, ''Down Memory Lane: Glory Days,'' The Canadians inllatt;. 1943-1945 (Ottawa: Queen·s Printer. Sabretache (8t.h Hussars' Regimental Association 1960). p.692. Newsletter). n.d. A copy of this account was kindly 13. HoiTmeisLertoauthor. l March 1991. provided by Mr. Ellis in a personal lelt.er. 16 February 14. See DHJ-I 145.2P10l!(D1). Captain C. D. Hood. "Report 1991. on Operations of the Perth R for the periocl22 Apr to V-E 37. Douglas How. The 8th Hussars: .A HL51ory qfih.e Regimef11. Day." and NAC RG 24. Vol.l5137. WD. Perth Regiment. (Sussex. NB: Maritime Publishing Company, 1964). 23-25 April !945. pp.347-48. 15. NAC RG 24. Vol.l5087. WD. Irish Regiment. 24 April 38. RobertAsht.on. telephone conversation. 7 February 1991. 1945 39. WD, Westminster Regiment, 30 April- I May 1945. 16. NAC RG 24. Vo\.15283. WD. Westminster Regiment. 24- 40. WD. Irish Regiment. 2 May 1945. 25 April 1945 41. WD. Cape Breton Highlanders. 2 May 1945. 17. NAC RG 24. Vol.! 4230. WD. 9th Canadian Armoured 42. Hoffmeister to author, 1 March 1991. Regiment (British Columbia Dragoons). 23 April 1945. 43. Foreword to Stafford Johnston. The Fighting Perths 18. See the Dragoons' WD for 24-25 April 1945. (Stratford. ON: Perth Regiment Veterans· Association. 19. WD. Perth Regiment. 25 April 1945. 1964). 20. WDs. Perth Regiment and British Columbia Dragoons, 26 April 1945. Also DHH 112.3M1009(D121). "First Daniel Byers is a temporary Lecturer in the Canadian Army lnlelligence Summa1y No. 301 ... 27 April 45. Department of History at the Royal Military 21. NAC RG 24. Vols. 14335 ancl14451: WDs. HQ Royal College of Canada. He is currently Canadian Artillery. 25-27 April. and 8th Field Regiment, completing a doctorate in history at McGill 27 April 1945. University. 22. WD. Irish Regiment. 26 April 1945.

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