Liberation of the Netherlands | Narrated by Roméo Dallaire

Tuesday, May 5, 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands in the Second World War, and Legion Magazine has released a new web video to mark the event.
Lieutenant-General The Honourable Roméo Dallaire narrates this instalment of the award-winning web video series Military Moments.
The Liberation of the Netherlands web video takes viewers back to the German invasion and occupation of Holland, depicting the terrible hunger and hardship inflicted on the Dutch by Nazi Germany and detailing how Allied forces-led by Canada-liberated the country. From September 1944 to April 1945, Canada played a key role in ending the Second World War, as Allied forces closed in on Germany from all sides.
Narrated by Lieutenant-General (Ret) The Honourable Roméo Dallaire
Directed & Edited by Adam Tindal
Written by Don Gillmor
Graphics & Animation by Sophie Jalbert
Produced by Jason Duprau, Jennifer McGill, Eric Harris
Executive Producer Jennifer Morse

[@wadepo1]

We love you Netherlands, brothers and sisters forever. 🇨🇦

[@assurecodm2934]

We love you too❤️

[@kedafu]

I want you people to know. My grandparents were there. I am honoring them. By saying this. Stupid Wuhan Flu. We truly are in this together. Calgary-Canada remembers!

[@anahill2366]

we love you as well, we are forever grateful 🇳🇱❤️🇨🇦

[@tomrintjema7654]

My parents were there. My Dad remembers Nazi solders walking down the street. They came to Canada in the 1950's. l was born in Canada by the Grace of God. Thank You Canada. Lest We Forget.

[@kedafu]

I want you people to know. My grandparents were there. I am honoring them. By saying this. Stupid Wuhan Flu. We truly are in this together. Calgary-Canada remembers!

[@edwardabraham2154]

My Dad served in the Canadian army as a medic from 1939 to 1945 He was amongst the Canadians that liberated Putten. I wish I had asked him more about his war time service but like many veterans he was reluctant to talk about those times!

[@lukebeaman1748]

that's really awesome man for him not talking about it always thought of it as imaging seeing the most traumatic and horrible things that will live with you forever and then get asked what happened my great grandfather fought in ww1 and went on a rampage and killed multiple Germans in cold steel after seeing his comrades get killed imagine having to live with yourself after since i found that out about him I don't tend to ask veterans of any war what they saw or did just don't want to bring those bad memories back

[@zacharytaylor190]

A story of heroes, narrated by a hero himself.

[@jezzman97]

If any Canadian would like for someone to lay flowers at a specific grave in the Netherlands, please let me know. I will go there personally to put flowers. We may never forget!

[@VicksWuys]

And so will I!

[@boxwoodgreen]

Do you live near the Holten Canadian War Cemetery ?

[@boxwoodgreen]

@@VicksWuys Do you live near the Holten Canadian War cemetery ? I will post a brief story and data here tonight. With thanks !

[@boxwoodgreen]

April 7th 1945 my late dad, a Captain in the South Saskachewan Regiment took his anti-tank artillery company by boat across the Schipbeek Canal 5km southwest of Holten. After crossing a sniper killed three of his men, and wounded my dad. In one row at Holten rest four of his regimental comrades killed that day. Three of the four were in his company. If you don't mind I will list all four, and if either of you get there at some point it would be a great favour.

[@jezzman97]

@@boxwoodgreen sorry to hear that man. We're grateful for his service. I live close enough to pay him a visit if you'd like me to?

[@robvoncken2565]

we WILL never forget

[@kedafu]

I want you people to know. My grandparents were there. I am honoring them. By saying this. Stupid Wuhan Flu. We truly are in this together. Calgary-Canada remembers!

[@gregjames666]

I would love a full length, or even better. Multiple episode documentary about the Liberation of Holland narrated by Mr Dallaire.

[@kedafu]

I want you people to know. My grandparents were there. I am honoring them. By saying this. Stupid Wuhan Flu. We truly are in this together. Calgary-Canada remembers!

[@nachocheezed]

May we all take a moment of silence for those who suffered and died for our freedom we have these days.

[@kedafu]

I want you people to know. My grandparents were there. I am honoring them. By saying this. Stupid Wuhan Flu. We truly are in this together. Calgary-Canada remembers!

[@kzdin03]

Should show what the Dutch soldiers did to their former colonies after the war.Very interesting comparison I should say.

[@TheDutchGame]

Thank you very much Canada!

[@Mike-oq4oq]

we’d do it aging brotha

[@kedafu]

I want you people to know. My grandparents were there. I am honoring them. By saying this. Stupid Wuhan Flu. We truly are in this together. Calgary-Canada remembers!

[@dakotaxd3727]

No need for thanks Canada is a peace keeper country This is what we proudly do. We thank you for keeping memory of us and for not taking your freedom lightly and giving the world may life saving technology

[@thegamegang5670]

Also dont forget that cananda werent the only one to liberate us

[@petronilobuan4648]

7,600 young Brave Canadians died in the Liberation of the Netherlands who the surviving soldiers described the battle as wet miserable and bloody! After that in commemorations and to Honor their sacrifices the Government of Netherlands yearly sends thousands and thousands of tulips to Canada! Lest we forget on Remembrance Day! K

[@kedafu]

I want you people to know. My grandparents were there. I am honoring them. By saying this. Stupid Wuhan Flu. We truly are in this together. Calgary-Canada remembers!

[@HRM.H]

10.000 tulips every year. Some of our royal familiy stayed in Canada during the war.

[@woodenseagull1899]

One must not forget Briton holding " a beacon of light " for the first two years of the war, and providing a platform for all to secure freedom. It is a pity that the efforts of Britain and its Commonwealth wasn't recognised by the EU when it left the so called European Union(?) 2016.

[@vanderquast]

We will never forget 🇳🇱❤️🇨🇦

[@kedafu]

I want you people to know. My grandparents were there. I am honoring them. By saying this. Stupid Wuhan Flu. We truly are in this together. Calgary-Canada remembers!

[@ryandaly9831]

My grandfather was 17 when he joined the Canadian 1st Division in 1943, he served in the Netherlands up till the end of the war, he was in Amsterdam and was taking a course to be an NCO, he had signed up to serve in the Pacific so he never finished and was sent to New York to train with American arms to serve in Japan. He once told me when he was in Holland, they stopped a running train, the Germans all jumped off and ran. He said there was hundreds of cattle cars attached to the train, so many he couldn't see the end of them, he said there were just slits in them wrapped with barbwire. They broke open the first cattle car and he said it was so packed full of people, the dead could not fall, it was full of men, women and children of all ages, it was going to an extermination camp. His commanding officer yelled at him and other soldiers to keep pushing the Germans back so they could safely get the people out. He put his head in his hands and told me he could still hear all those people moaning and screaming!

[@raymondkelch5903]

A thousand thanks

[@kedafu]

I want you people to know. My grandparents were there. I am honoring them. By saying this. Stupid Wuhan Flu. We truly are in this together. Calgary-Canada remembers!

[@GerbenDub]

The strongest bond in the world!

[@oliviercloutier-messier1892]

if its happen again we will be back im french canadian

[@xanbex8324]

@@oliviercloutier-messier1892 Have you heard about the great hero Private leo Major from Quebec! All kinds of heroics... amazing!

[@kedafu]

I want you people to know. My grandparents were there. I am honoring them. By saying this. Stupid Wuhan Flu. We truly are in this together. Calgary-Canada remembers!

[@fumblerooskie]

This is such a great story. Much love to both the Netherlands and Canada, and all those who served.

[@palmergriffiths1952]

Thanks to the Vets 🇨🇦

[@kedafu]

I want you people to know. My grandparents were there. I am honoring them. By saying this. Stupid Wuhan Flu. We truly are in this together. Calgary-Canada remembers!

[@billyrock8305]

🇳🇱 ❤️ 🇨🇦

[@carolancarey992]

thank you for posting this enlightening video. God bless all Canadians who served

[@firstlast7719]

Dutch by birth, Canadian by choice, I love both countries. Thank you Canada. I will keep alive the memories of my grandparents and my parents. 75 years ago, finally freed from tyranny.

[@salay30]

First Last me too. They were so grateful to the Canadians.

[@kedafu]

I want you people to know. My grandparents were there. I am honoring them. By saying this. Stupid Wuhan Flu. We truly are in this together. Calgary-Canada remembers!

[@lolkevandewitte1713]

My parents both lived under German occupation as young kids in the northern part of Holland, called Friesland. My mother got a beret from a Canadian soldier after liberation. I still got the badge! It is from the Cape Breton Highlandes. We hold our Canadian liberators in very high regard, for ever.

[@Novilia17]

Great story. Wouldn't it be nice that people carry on happier?

[@kedafu]

I want you people to know. My grandparents were there. I am honoring them. By saying this. Stupid Wuhan Flu. We truly are in this together. Calgary-Canada remembers!

[@PrinceJ20233]

Het voelt alsof we weer in zo’n tijd leven

[@spacedudey2k]

My grandparents lost everything when Rotterdam was bombed. My Grandpa was captured twice by the Germans and marched off to forced labour in Germany - but escaped. My dad was born 4 days after WW2 finished in Europe. They left Holland in 1950 and emigrated to Australia. Thank you to Canada. Lest We Forget ❤

[@boreal6009]

So proud.

[@christianlebracq1956]

Forever Grateful !

[@kedafu]

I want you people to know. My grandparents were there. I am honoring them. By saying this. Stupid Wuhan Flu. We truly are in this together. Calgary-Canada remembers!

[@ragemontage4483]

germany: ez clapz. *canadian anthem plays* Germany: *sees single soldier running towards them* (laughs) the one guy: 98 kill streak.

[@courtbeall7768]

Thanks so much

[@daniellysohirka4258]

My great grandfather was in the Canadian army in WWII, he was 30 years old and was stationed in Scotland in 1941 I believe and met my great grandmother and had my grandpa in 1943 while my great grand father was off fighting. He was a mechanic in the Canadian army and met a young Scottish girl and had my grand father. After the war they all came back to central Canada, near Flin Flon, MB and Hudson Bay, SK and also Creighton, SK. My mother actually worked at the Legion, so I got to meet veterans when I was young because kids were allowed in the bars back then on the weekend in Canada. While my mom was working she'd by us some chips and we'd play shuffle board in the afternoon or darts and there would be veterans hanging around. Then they passed a law where kids couldn't be in there because of the VLT's, so you had to be 18, even if you were with your parent.

[@AJS_77]

Pog.

[@sophielegault2278]

79 years ago today❤️❤️ 5/5/1945

[@jih7055]

Canada just have the nicest people thank you canada❤🥺🇳🇱🇨🇦

[@ragemontage4483]

can we all just take a moment to look at hitler, he looks like the seven year old from "Boss baby."

[@fadlidolphin2422]

After Netherland independent liberate, Netherland invasion indonesia, the pain of Indonesia's suffering

[@cumbaja3456]

My dad his siblings and parents were kicked out of Holland because his dad was German and had not been become Dutch. Born in Holland and dating a Dutch woman(my mother) was not good enough. He even served in the Dutch army but was told they made a mistake. In 1941 he was conscripted into the wehrmacht. He had to serve and ended up in Russia behind the front as a mechanic and motor bike rider. It took only 3 days of Dutch army resistance and the Dutch government and Dutch/German royalty fled. The Dutch army were still fighting with the German enemy. Did the Canadians who liberated Holland pay the ultimate price for the cowardice of the Dutch government?

[@user-db6pt7vr3l]

Dallaire turned into a peacenik.

[@fadlidolphin2422]

forgive yes, but will never forget the Dutch invasion of Indonesia

[@stephenwatson8981]

The Netherlands was liberated and then they immediately tried to re-occupy and re-colonized Indonesia.

[@ConstantineofRome]

Orderd by Hitler to fight to the last man never herd that before

[@robertneven7563]

Holland liberadet by the U S army , the Britch army , the Candian army the Polich, the Island off Walcheren liberadet by the Norvegain and the Belgain commando s, the Dutch city s Wessem Ophoven Thorn liberadet by the Belgain brigade

[@robertneven7563]

Belgain brigade Piron

[@Tax-Evasion-As-A-Sport]

Are you dyslexic?

[@billpondmusic]

If you're going to comment in English, then you should try and spell more than 25% of the words correctly.

[@robertoneven2803]

@@billpondmusic de waarheid kwetst hè hollander ??????????????

[@joolspirog]

As usual, no mention of the Polish. Ask any dutch person, they tend the graves and treat polish with great reverence.

[@gregjames666]

This was a short video by the Canadian Legion Magazine Narrated by a retired Canadian General. Why would you think the poles would be mentioned ? It is not saying that only Canada liberated Holland. We had many brothers in arms. Poles, Czechs, Free French, even the Dutch resistance. But i would agree that a full documentary, about the whole liberation from all perspectives (even the Germans) would be very interesting.

[@djpd6499]

Grow up Jools, many young men died for your freedom. There nationality shouldn’t matter to you.

[@richardbinkhuysen5224]

@@gregjames666 Thank you for mentioning the Dutch Resistance. Here's actual footage of the Resistance Group my Granddad belonged to. It is filmed by cellphone therefor lots of times out of focus and blurred. It's 3 days after the Battle for Woensdrecht ended and they fought independently on Canadian orders for 6 days against the same German Paratroopers that almost wiped out the Canadian Black Watch in 5 hours at Woensdrecht on Oct.13 1944. After that they served under 1.Canadian Army for another 130 days on the front line where they had to face raids of the German equivalent of the British Royal Marines Commandos. We didn't know until 1994 and when I asked him if he ever received recognition or medals he replied in shock 'No, and that's not why we did it'. And that was it. He never wanted to talk about the subject anymore. Bare in mind that these guys barely slept for over one week when watching this footage. It's just before,during and 5 days after their 6 day fight. kzbin.info/www/bejne/faaZh5WmgrKpo5o

[@richardbinkhuysen5224]

And yes, locally we know that part of history. What hardly anyone knows is that 1.Polish Armoured Division took over command on the left flank for about 1/4 of the Western Front line in the Netherlands with all kinds of Allied troops under their command. All in order to free as much troops of 1.Canadian Army for the line Raamsdonk - Nijmegen - Venlo. So technically serving with British 62.Anti-Tank Regt.,RA the Resistance Group was under 1.Polish Command for 63 days from January 10 1945 to March 14 1945

[@dakotaxd3727]

Yes Canadians and Dutch are very thankful to the polish people for the help of liberation. But this is a video about the Canadian side of it and the Canadians were the ones who brought and made the nazis sign for surrender I’m not taking anything away from the help you guys had and trust me being a Canadian I know how it feels for another country taking all the glory of a fight you helped to win (America in everyone war) but as a Canadian we are taught it’s best not to celebrate every victory by telling others but to just be proud and thankful we could help. If you watch many other videos where The people who fought there talk they all say the thanks and celebration they get isn’t why they did it and isn’t needed but it is very nice

[@woodenseagull1899]

I remember as a boy in England, waving off those brave Canadian soldiers. Germany has never to be forgiven for their terrible cruel actions.Every present living German MUST carry the wicked stain of their forefathers..Its an insult that they run Europe now..!

[@joolspirog]

How about the true heroes, the Polish 1st armoured division, under General Maczek. Now, there is a story of heroism. Poles are welcomed like they are Dutch, Breda is an open city to Poles.