Liberation of Netherlands

Cause The allies needed a large harbour through which to ship supplies to their advancing armies. The Belgian city of Antwerp, one of Europe's biggest ports, had already been liberated, but the 70- kilometre long estuary of the Scheldt River, which connected Antwerp to the sea, was still held by the Germans. The task of clearing the estuary of enemy forces was assigned to “The first Canadian army”.

Antwerp Allies wanted to end the war in 1944. Operation “Market Garden”. Massive airborne assault on the Dutch town of Arnhem, hoping this would allow them a quick route into Germany, via a crossing of the Rhine River at Arnhem.  Leads to “The battle of “Scheldt”.

Battle of Scheldt Allies needed a reliable way to keep supplies flowing to their forces on the European continent. The Belgian port of Antwerp. Germans occupied the shores of the Scheldt River. Fall of 1944. 6000 Canadian soldiers. 8 November the estuary and its large islands had been secured. 

Pushing the Germans out of The Netherlands In early April, the First Canadian Army began to clear the Germans from the northeast of the country.  Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. Late April. May 5th 1945.

Components of the battle

- On October 6, 1939, Germany pledged that Germany and Dutch maintained a traditional friendship. However, many Dutch merchant ships were attacked by the Germans at that time.

- January 2, 1940, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the radio speech expressed the hope that the Netherlands to join the Allies. - April 19, the Netherlands declared the country into a state of emergency April 10, Britain and France once again asked the Netherlands to join the Allies, was rejected

- May 10, 1940, Germany issued action, the goal of the Netherlands at 3:55 am - Germany attacked the Netherlands, the Netherlands resistance to 14 days.

- During this period, the German air strikes the Hague, want to capture the royal family, but without success. - Germany bombed Rotterdam, forced the Dutch surrender, the Dutch campaign ended.

On May 17, the Netherlands was fully occupied On May 17, the Netherlands was fully occupied. In the battle, the Netherlands has 28 million troops, 124 aircraft. The results of more than 2,300 people were killed, 7,000 people were injured, the country fell.

Consequences of the battle Neutral -> United Nations National power recovery Marshall Plan Intimate diplomatic relations with Canada: Help when Nazi attacks Dutch Government -> Escape to Canada & stay for 5 years Canada sets some of its territories as extraterritoriality in the Netherlands, helping the Princess to succeed the throne.

Marshall Plan =ERP(European Recovery Program) Economic and technological support for ‘European revival’ - John Marshall won the Nobel Peace Prize. - The re-growth, success and prosperity of the Western European countries have been achieved.

Dutch civilians dance in the streets after the liberation of Eindhoven by Allied forces, September 1944. Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery explains Allied strategy to King George VI in his command caravan in Holland, October 1944.

Canada's role in the liberation of the Netherlands By Trevor Shaw

Liberating the scheldt​ Liberating the Scheldt was the task of the Canadian army under command of lieutenant Guy Simmonds The uique terrain of the area made it very challenging on Canadian troops It was a 3 phase plan of Liberation 6367 Canadian casualties

The Rhineland Campaign Canada had the role of protecting a 360km line from the Germans It was stagnant for 3 months during the winter In march for the first time the two Canadian corps were fighting together Largest joined military force commanded by a Canadian

Final phase in securing the Netherlands Canada was clearly a supply route on the elbe river Largest percent of Canadian troops in a regiment Canada is in charge or clearing villages in northern and western Netherlands They were seen as hero's by the locals