The Final Push – 70th Anniversary ‘s-Heerenberg, 1 April 2015 The Final Push ‘s-Heerenberg Planning Team • Keep Them Rolling – Rob van’t Oost • Town of ‘s-Heerenberg – • Heemkundekring Bergh - • ‘s-Heerenberg Volunteers – – Wilco Bosch – Kapt Henk Groote • 48th Highlander of Holland P&D – John Fundter • Canada – Brig-Gen Ernest Beno

Keep Them Rolling “The Final Push - 2015”

Organization:

Rob van't Oost Chairman Bauke Schuurman Secretary Teun Hemelman Treasurer Bert van de Maat PR Dick Jansen New Media

Contact [email protected] 48th Highlanders of Holland Pipes and Drums The Netherlands – Key Points Groningen

Arnhem Nijmegen & Groesbeek ‘s-Heerenberg

Rhineland, Ge Scheldt ‘s-Heerenberg

The town of 's-Heerenberg lies 30kms southeast of , close to the German frontier, just north of the Rhine and the city of Emmerich. The town received its municipal charter in 1379. ‘s-Heerenberg was liberated by the First Canadian Army in April 1945. The First Canadian Army – Liberation of Holland

‘s-Heerenberg

The Liberation of Holland The Liberation of the Netherlands, from September 1944 to April 1945, played a key role in the culmination of the Second World War, as the Allied forces closed in on Germany from all sides. The First Canadian Army played a major role in the liberation of the who had suffered terrible hunger and hardship under the increasingly desperate German occupiers. In early June 1940, Princess Juliana and her two small daughters secretly boarded a Dutch vessel bound for Halifax. Safe in the Ottawa region, Princess Juliana was able to take over the reins of government-in-exile if the need arose. The birth of Princess Margriet Francisca, the third daughter of Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard, was a symbol of hope and a source of inspiration for the Dutch people who were fighting for their survival in Europe.

Liberation Day– Bevrijdingsdag

• In The Netherlands, Liberation Day is celebrated each year on 5 May, to mark the end of the occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II. • The liberation of the Netherlands officially took place on May 5th 1945 when occupational forces signed the capitulation treaty in Hotel ‘De Wereld’ in Wageningen in the presence of General Charles Foulkes (Commander-in- chief of the Canadian liberation army) and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. • On 4 May, the Dutch hold the Remembrance of the Dead for the people who have fought and died during World War II, and wars in general. Throughout the country, two minutes of silence are observed at 8:00 p.m. • Liberation Day is commemorated and celebrated every year. On 5 May, the liberation is celebrated and festivals are held at most places in the Netherlands.

Quotes - The Liberation of ‘s-Heerenberg • “The advance northward was launched by the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade on March 31 (1945). They met little resistance and, on April 1, the Highland Light Infantry of Canada passed through to clear the first Dutch town to be liberated, s’Heerenberg, situated only a little more than a kilometre north of Emmerich. Here “C” Company of the HLI met resistance at an anti-tank ditch in front of the town. The ditch was bridged under fire and the advance continued against a number of strongpoints based on a large castle and monastery.” • “When the 3rd Division surged through s’Heerenberg as their advance got under way on April 1, they found it difficult to pass through this town, despite the fact that German resistance had been overcome. The North Nova Scotia Highlanders noted: Progress was slow through the town because of the cheering and waving crowds of Dutch lining the street. The First Canadian Army was liberating again and it certainly was a change from the sullen mass of Germans we continually bumped into on the other side of the Rhine and up to Emmerich…After five years of oppression, the Dutch people were expressing their joy and thanks at being liberated.” • “But most impressive of all, after seeing deserted German villages and towns from the border into the city of ‘s Heerenberg, was that there were now hundreds of civilians waving flags and cheering the passing transport. There was damage in the city and in the following villages, but they were not deserted, and everywhere civilians were cheering and Dutch national flags were flying from almost every house and building – with a smattering of British flags too.”

Celebrating and Commemorating the Canadian Artillery’s Role in the Liberation of The Netherlands

• The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery commemorated its role in the Liberation of The Netherlands in the City of ‘s-Heerenberg on May 5th, 2010, the 65th Anniversary of the Liberation of Holland. • A World War II Gun, the famed 25 Pounder, was dedicated on the market square in ‘s- Heerenberg to memorialize the service of Canadian Gunners. • This monument will perpetuate the memory of the service of more than 29,000 Canadian Gunners in Holland who manned more than 1,100 guns in 38 Artillery Regiments. Canadian Gunners suffered about 900 killed from D Day to VE Day. • The 25 Pounder was the principal artillery piece of the Canadian Artillery in World War II, so it is most fitting that it represent the Gunners who served in Holland. • ‘s-Heerenberg is at the centre of the start of the Liberation campaign, when the First Canadian Army, under command of a Gunner (General Harry Crerar) swung north, crossed the Rhine and brought the occupying forces to capitulation. • This was the first major town liberated in Operation PLUNDER, commencing March 31st 1945. "B" Troop, 5th Field 7th Medium Regiment, Regiment, firing 25- 12th Battery, "A" Troop, pounder near fire on German Malden, Holland, 1 positions with 5.5 inch February 1945. guns

Sexton SP guns of the 8th Field Regiment, R.C.A., firing 21 gun salute to celebrate VE Day, Groningen, Netherlands, 8 May 1945. Canada’s Artillery in World War II Draft Program • Band Display – 48th Highlanders of Holland Pipes and Drums • Soldiers March On • Dignitaries Arrive • Roll Past and Salute • Gun Salute • Parade forms up • Flag Raising and National Anthems of Canada and The Netherlands • Master of Ceremonies • Addresses by KTR, Canadian Delegate, Dignitaries, Wilco Bosch • Greetings from Veterans • Laying of Wreaths at Gun Monument • Last Post, Two Minutes Silence, Reveille • Final Words of Greetings and Thanks • March off Parade and Soldiers • Band Concert • Reception

Follow-on Actions - Next Steps • Program – H Groote, R van’t Oost and W Bosch • Music Program – 48th Highland P&D. J Fundter • NL Gun Salute – Artillerie Museum or Marine Corps – H Groote • Police and Traffic – W Bosch • Liaison with Town and Region – W Bosch • VIPs and Protocol – W Bosch • Invitations – W Bosch • Seating, Flags, Sound System, Stage/Platform, etc – W Bosch • Master of Ceremonies – H Groote • Certificates and Presentations – W Bosch • Canadian Government Participation – E Beno • Netherlands Military Coordination – H Groote • Canadian Soldier Participation – E Beno • Post-Parade Reception – W Bosch • Communications, Public Affairs, Advertising – W Bosch Extracts from Reports/Books

• Please note the following extracts from various Reports and Books, for info. The next phase of the brigade's advance was a job for H.L.I. of C. The battalion passed through Nth N.S. Highrs and thrust northward toward the junction of the `s Heerenberg - Emmerich road with the autobahn. At 1035 hours they found their objective mined, and the road blocked (W.D., H.Q. 9 Cdn Inf Bde, March 1945: Appx 3, Ops Log, 31 Mar 45, Serial 58). This obstruction was by-passed, and the battalion worked its way forward once more. All this time 7 Cdn Recce Regt had been patrolling northward from Klein Netterden and had contacted the H.L.I. of C. near the autobahn junction. (Ibid, Serial 78). The task of probing to the right and front of 9 Cdn Inf Bde was assigned to "A" Sqn, which Lt- Col Baerman had placed at Brigadier Rockingham's disposal, while he himself established his own tactical Command Post at the headquarters of 9 Cdn Inf Bde. At a little after noon, 31 Mar, the two units, closely attended by some tanks of 27 Cdn Armd Regt, had reached the Grens Kanaal, south of `s Heerenberg. (2 Cdn Corps Ops Log, 31 Mar 45, Serial 29). By 1400 hours, however, it was clear that the enemy intended to hold `s Heerenberg. H.L.I. of C. then reported to the brigade that it would be necessary to bridge the "anti-tank ditch" bounding the canal, in order to get supporting tanks forward to root the enemy out of the town. Most of the opposition in front of H.L.I. of C. was coming from a large monastery south of the town. Although the buildings were clearly marked as a hospital the Germans were using it as a strong point. After some time a bridgehead was established, and the monastic fortress was finally occupied at 2100 hours (31 Mar). (W.D., H.L.I. of C., 31 Mar 45). A company was then passed through to take up positions on the left side of the road protecting the bridgehead, and by 2200 hours the engineers were busy putting up a bridge. Thus the month of April began with 3 Cdn Inf Div beyond Emmerich on a two brigade front. On the left 8 Cdn Inf Bde was in possession of the coveted heights of Hoch Elten, and on the right 9 Cdn Inf Bde was about to begin clearing `s Heerenberg. Thence the brigade would go to Zeddam and Kilder, which lie on the eastern and northern edge of the great Stokkummer Bosch, the forest which streams up into Holland from the Hoch Elten pinnacle. In Maj-Gen Keeflerts sector on the left, 7 Cdn Recce Regt was in control at Zeddam and had troops in Lengel (9966) and Mengelenberg (9866). Behind the "Recce", S.D. & G. Highrs of 9 Cdn Inf Bde had pushed past H.L.I. of C. in `s Heerenberg and were advancing north on the left of the `s Heerenberg - Zeddam road with the object of clearing the large woods which formed the southern part of the Stokkummer Bosch. Further west 8 Cdn Inf Bde had Q.O.R. of C. dominating the autobahn running through the north end of the Hoch Elten feature, while R. de. Chaud, which had persisted in its push westwards, had captured the community of Elten itself. N. Shore R. was still firm on the main feature east of the lookout tower (925645). 7 Cdn Inf Bde, reorganized and rested after its gruelling effort among the ruins or Emmerich, had two of its battalions in Emmerich and a third unit occupying Huthum. In the rear areas of 2 Cdn Corps at Emmerich, the Canadian engineers were working furiously at the class 40 low-level Bailey pontoon bridge. The moment of its completion was the time at which General Crerar would take 2 Cdn Corps back under his wing from General Dempsey's Second Army and assume responsibility for the northward thrust from the western end of the bridgehead, as laid down-by the C.-in-C. in his directive. The original estimated time of completion of this bridge was 1800 hours on 1 Apr. This was later set back to 0600 hours on 2 Apr, then advanced to 2352 hours, 1 Apr. In the meantime the weather was causing anxiety too for the bridge builders, for at 1325 hours high winds and choppy waters on the broad expanse of the river looked as though they might jeopardize the early completion of the structure (ibid, Serial 68). Yet in another five hours the sappers, ever conscious of the urgency of the moment, had advanced the estimated time of completion to 2100 hours. During the afternoon and evening of 1 Apr pressure was kept up all along the line between Zeddam and Doetinchem. On the left flank 9 Cdn Inf Bde had been ordered to form a line facing west from Elten to the crossroads south-west of Loerbeek (9470). To this end H.L.I. of C. relieved R. de. Chaud in Elten, Nth N.S. Highrs moved through `s Heerenberg to the north-west and occupied the area of Beek, while S.D. & G. Highrs, entering Zeddam after 7 Cdn Recce Regt, swung westwards to establish its forward troops around the crossroads below Loerbeek, leaving the remainder of the battalion strung out on the higher wooded region to the east. For its thrust northward from Zeddam 7 Cdn Inf Bde had ordered R. Wpg Rif to Kilder. Meanwhile Regina Rif would follow up to occupy the woody slopes about 1500 yards west of Braamt prior to being pushed through the Winnipegs firm base. In conjunction with these moves 1 C. Scot R. was instructed to seize the area of Groot Lobberik. The Reconnaissance Squadron north of the Scottish was to keep on probing forward until it met serious opposition.

The 8th Brigade was now to carry forward the attack and capture the Hoch Elten "feature". We have already noted the tactical importance of this high wooded ridge some three miles north-west of Emmerich. It dominated our engineers' Rhine bridging sites and German possession of it might thereby delay the full participation of First Canadian Army in the battle. For this reason the Hoch Elten area had been subjected to particularly severe artillery and air bombardment during the days preceding the attack. These measures had the effect of easing the task of the 8th Brigade when it advanced on the night of 30-31 March. The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada and Le Régiment de la Chaudière led the way; the latter, with no doubt some pardonable exaggeration, describes the ground as "peut-etre le plus bombarde dans l'histoire de la guerre"65 The enemy's surviving artillery and mortars fired on the axes of advance but, in general, there was little opposition. On the following night the Chaudière entered the village of Elten, west of the ridge, while the Queen's Own and the North Shore completed the occupation of the wooded area. Meanwhile, on the 3rd Division's inland flank, the 9th Brigade had cleared the woods north of Emmerich and the nearby town of 's-Heerenberg.66 The 2nd Corps' northern advance had already gathered momentum. After concentrating in the Bienen-Millingen area, the 2nd Division moved forward on the 3rd Division's right, recrossing the Dutch-German frontier and clearing Netterden on 30 March. In general, "scattered clusters" of opposition were reported, with only token resistance in certain sectors. While the 3rd Division was capturing the Hoch Elten feature, General Matthews' troops thrust forward to Etten, seven miles north- east of Emmerich, with the Wessex Division temporarily on their right flank. The 4th Canadian Armoured Division moved in here on 1 April. General Vokes' immediate task was to occupy the Lochem-Ruurlo area and then press on across the Twente Canal to Delden and Borne.86 Canadian Army in the Liberation of The Netherlands