From July 21-24, 2015, a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) contingent will participate in the 99th annual International Four Day Marches Nijmegen, continuing an annual tradition that began in 1952. This year’s contingent will commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands from Nazi occupation.
The Nijmegen Marches originated in 1909 with Dutch military efforts to increase the long-distance marching and weight-carrying ability of infantry soldiers. It has evolved into an international event drawing over 45 000 civilian and military participants from over 50 nations, as well as over a million spectators. Coincidentally, Nijmegen was also the area from which the Canadian Army conducted its operations throughout the last six months of the Second World War.
Over 7 600 Canadians died in the nine-month campaign between 1944-1945 to liberate the Netherlands and carry the war to its conclusion, a sacrifice which has never been forgotten by the Dutch people. Now, over half a century later, Canadians and the Dutch still remember the historic events of that time and celebrate the lasting bonds that were created between our two countries during the Second World War.
During the four days of marching, CAF members will walk the same terrain where many Canadians fell. Prior to the Marches, the Canadian contingent will visit and hold a memorial ceremony at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. During the Marches, participants will also pay their respects at the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, the final resting place of more than 2 300 Canadian soldiers and aviators who died fighting to liberate the Netherlands in 1944 and 1945.
The Nijmegen Marches consists of four days of marching through the countryside and crowded streets of towns and villages in the Nijmegen area. Each military participant marches a total of 160 kilometres while wearing standard combat clothing and carrying a military backpack weighing at least 10 kilograms. The Marches are neither competitive nor a speed test, but they do require proper training and a good team spirit to ensure success. It is the team that finishes with spirit and style that wins the plaudits of the crowd.
Physically and mentally strong, the Canadian contingent is representative of the whole of the CAF. The Canadian contingent is broken down into fourteen teams, with each team consisting of eleven personnel. Teams are made up of both Regular and Reserve Force members of all ranks and occupations from across the country. During the months of training required to be selected for the Canadian contingent, candidates test both their physical and mental stamina by marching an average of 700 to1000 kilometres in combat dress with weighted packs.
An important theme of this year’s Nijmegen Marches is the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands from Nazi occupation – a Second World War campaign that saw significant contributions and sacrifices by our Canadian soldiers. Canada continues to share a close relationship with the Netherlands as a result of this historical act, which has not been forgotten by either of countries. This is a fundamental reason why Canada continues to participate in the Marches each year, celebrating our shared history with the Netherlands in Nijmegen. As our soldiers walk the streets and countryside of Nijmegen during the four days, it grants the Canadian Armed Forces and the local Nijmegen public a chance to remember, mourn, and celebrate the sacrifices both of our countries have made for the rights and freedoms we continue to enjoy today. In addition to the Marches, Canadian Armed Forces members participate in a number of commemorative events to recognize Canada’s role in the Liberation of the Netherlands. The most noteworthy is the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery memorial ceremony held on the third day of the Marches at the 30-kilometre mark.
The Nijmegen Marches is primarily a team event that develops such core military values as leadership, teamwork, camaraderie, and endurance. Each team is expected to complete the Marches successfully in good order and with the team intact. Although each individual who successfully completes the marches receives a medal, the coveted prize is the team award. This award is handed to the members of a team who successfully complete the marches with at least 90 percent of the team intact. The training standards and selection criteria for the Canadian Contingent are such that every team entered should, barring any unforeseen accidents, qualify for a team award.
This year’s teams come from:
- Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT), Halifax, NS, http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/about/structure-marlant-units.page;
- Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC), Esquimalt, BC, http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/about/structure-marpac-units.page;
- 5th Canadian Division (5 Cdn Div), Atlantic Canada, http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/atlantic/index.page;
- 31 Canadian Brigade Group (31 CBG), London, ON, http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/31-cbg/index.page;
- 32 Canadian Brigade Group (32 CBG), Toronto, ON, http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/32-cbg/index.page;
- 34 Canadian Brigade Group (34 CBG), Montreal, QC, http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/34-cbg/index.page;
- 38 Canadian Brigade Group (38 CBG), Central Canada, http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/38-cbg/index.page;
- 39 Canadian Brigade Group (39 CBG), Western Canada, http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/39-cbg/index.page;
- 438 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (438 Sqn), 1 Wing, Montreal, QC, http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/1-wing/438-squadron.page;
- 4 Wing, Cold Lake, AB, http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/4-wing/index.page;
- 16 Wing, Borden, ON, http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/16-wing/index.page;
- National Capital Region (NCR), Ottawa, ON ;
- Royal Military College (RMC), Kingston, ON, http://www.rmc.ca/; and
- Canadian Forces Joint Signal Regiment, ON, http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/operations-support/cfjosg.page.
EVENTS
Upcoming Nijmegen events include:
- July 14 - CAF Nijmegen contingent departure parade
- July 16 – CAF Nijmegen contingent airlift departure
- July 17 – Participation in the Menin Gate Last Post Service
- July 18 – Tyne Cot Cemetery Visit, Vimy Ridge
- July 19 – 438 Squadron honours fellow veterans at Groesbeek Cemetery
- July 20 – Ysselstein German Cemetery Service
- July 21 - First day of the Nijmegen Marches
- July 22 – Second day of the Nijmegen Marches
- July 23 - Halfway through this day of marching, the Canadian contingent will pay their respects at the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, the final resting place of more than 2 300 Canadian soldiers and airmen who died fighting to liberate the Netherlands in 1944 and 1945
- July 24 - Last day of the Nijmegen Marches. Canadian teams that complete the Nijmegen Marches successfully will receive the Four Day Marches Cross.
- July 27 - CAF Nijmegen contingent airlift return flight.
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For more information on CAF participation in the Nijmegen Marches, please visit: http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/od-bdo/di-ri-eng.asp?IntlOpId=192&CdnOpId=232.
To follow the CAF teams live during their 2015 Marches, visit the official Facebook page, “Joint Task Force Nijmegen”, on Twitter @CanadianForces, and on Flickr, “Canadian Forces Photos.”
For more information on the Nijmegen Marches, please visit the official website of the International Four Days Marches Nijmegen at http://www.4daagse.nl/index.php/en.htm.
