May 5, 2011
Related Information:
Canada and the Netherlands
Canada and the Second World War
Ottawa — The Government of Canada issued the following statement today regarding the 66th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands.
"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 part in the liberation of the Dutch people who had suffered terrible hunger and hardship under the increasingly desperate German occupiers.
The liberation began with the opening of the Scheldt estuary, primarily by the Canadian troops. Then, in February 1945, Canadians were part of an Allied effort to push German forces back beyond the Rhine River. On April 28, the Canadians negotiated a truce which permitted relief supplies to enter the western Netherlands and end the "Hunger Winter." On May 5, 1945, all German forces in the country surrendered.
Virtually every Canadian serving overseas at the end of the Second World War participated in the Liberation of the Netherlands and Canada's important contributions helped lay the foundation for a special relationship between our two countries that exists to this day.
We remember, with everlasting gratitude, the contributions of all who served and those who made the supreme sacrifice. Lest we forget."
For more information on Canada's contribution to the Liberation of the Netherlands, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site.
- 30 -
Media Enquiries:
Janice Summerby
Media Relations Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada
Phone: 613-992-7468
All Other Enquiries:
information@vac-acc.gc.ca
