With the assistance of other Allied forces, such as the British and Americans, Canadian troops continued to fight through the German defences, and get farther and farther inland. With heavy losses, unfortunately, these men were able to free many French channel ports, including Dieppe.
The Battle of the Scheldt
The Scheldt River, located in Antwerp, Belgium, was an important transportation and supply route during World War Two. In the months following the liberation of countries such as Holland, Germany still held the front of the river, and Canadians were given the complicated job of freeing the region. What later became known as the Battle of the Scheldt was a bloody dispute that ultimately ended in Canadian success.
Though the Canadian casualities for the battle were immense (approximately 6,400 men died), this victory gave the Allies access to Germany, so that they could complete their final advance into the country.
Freeing the Netherlands
In the months after the Battle of the Scheldt, Canadian men had time to relax and recooperate their strength as they planned the nearing spring offensive against the Rhine River.
In February 1945, the Allies, including 175,000 Canadian soldiers, launched the campaign, with the goal being to push the Germans across the Rhine and force Germany to surrender. While British and American soldiers advanced into northern Germany, the Canadian Forces were successful in chasing the enemy out of the Netherlands and back into Germany. Sadly, many Dutch citizens were near death due to starvation, so a truce was decided so that the Allies could provide relief to these people. Canadian units began distributing essential supplies rapidly to the starving people. In response, citizens wrote, "Thank you Canadians!" on their roofs, and the Dutch began to think of the Canadian troops as not only liberators, but rescuers, as well.
To this day, the Dutch continue to send Canada thousands of tulips every year, which are displayed publicly at the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa.
In February 1945, the Allies, including 175,000 Canadian soldiers, launched the campaign, with the goal being to push the Germans across the Rhine and force Germany to surrender. While British and American soldiers advanced into northern Germany, the Canadian Forces were successful in chasing the enemy out of the Netherlands and back into Germany. Sadly, many Dutch citizens were near death due to starvation, so a truce was decided so that the Allies could provide relief to these people. Canadian units began distributing essential supplies rapidly to the starving people. In response, citizens wrote, "Thank you Canadians!" on their roofs, and the Dutch began to think of the Canadian troops as not only liberators, but rescuers, as well.
To this day, the Dutch continue to send Canada thousands of tulips every year, which are displayed publicly at the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa.