The Liberation of the Netherlands

2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. Remembrance events and activities will be held across Canada and in the Netherlands, providing opportunities for Canadians to learn about Canada's role in the liberation of the Netherlands.
History
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 role in the liberation of the Dutch people who had suffered terrible hunger and hardship under the increasingly desperate German occupiers.
More information:
www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembr...

[@bladieblaad]

Dont think your sacrifice is forgotten. Thank you Canada for liberating my country. Greetings and very much respect from Holland.

[@timvl8677]

Thank you Canada, my father was one of those starving children that almost didn’t make it. We share and pass on the stories down each generation. We Dutch never forget those that helped us.

[@chubbles59]

I watched this with tears streaming down my eyes. My Uncles, cousins and late fatherinlaw were all in Holland when it was liberated and to see this video brought me closer to them. May they rest in peace in never be forgotten. THANK YOU! for all you did and God rest your souls. To the Dutch people..we thank you for your remembrance of our soldiers, the wonderful care you take of the cemeteries that hold our loved ones and most of all, thank you Holland for not forgetting them! Love from Canada

[@InfiniteLaundry]

Dutchman here, thank you Canada! We'll never forget what you did.

[@MrBNaylor]

Both my Grandfather and his brother served in the 23rd Field Regiment RCA and remember the hardship that the people of Holland went through during the winter of 45. Canada and Holland will always share a special bond.

[@marricole-elsholz2314]

My village was liberated by Canadian soldiers after the Hunger Winter 1944/45. They gave us their rations until emergency supplies arrived. We children hadn't even seen candy for do long, JOY. My parents befriended several, simply providing a quiet room and a cup of erzats tea. my mum regretted all her life not being able to do more for these exhausted lads. Friendship started then which lasts to this day with the family of Len, our hero.

[@princesstutianna]

+Marri Cole-Elsholz Thank you for such a wonderful story like this - As a Canadian, thank YOU for honoring our veterns and never forgetting them!!

[@ebayzrockstar2220]

Canadian here thank you for the video.My grandfather was there somewhere.He passed away when i was 12 never had the chance to ask him.

[@michaeldaley4160]

Thank you for sharing your experience.From Canada!!🇨🇦

[@itisonlyme1]

My family was liberated in May 45, living in Utrecht. They never stopped talking about the liberation and the sacrifice made by men and boys. THANK YOU from the depth of my heart! We LOVE you. Streetnames are named after Canadian soldiers.

[@peabase]

As kids on a school trip to the Keukenhof we would all salute the visiting Canadian vets, who happened to be there in abundance because of the annual liberation remembrance. Some of the vets were visibly fighting back tears. I hope we made it extra worthwhile for them.

[@robertarisz8464]

@@BooksAnimalsMusic I make it a point to bring my children to the Remembrance day ceremony. This will not slip from memory on my watch. Profound gratitude to you and yours. We owe you so much.

[@jesseray9944]

i thank you for that im sure you did make there day that day these vets deserve so much love for what they sacraficed that day there my heros and im glad they fought for my freedom

[@StoneCutter099]

What a powerful video and final statement: "It doesn't come free... we've given up an awful lot, and they're out there... under the stones."

[@RobertvanEykMBA]

We will always be grateful for the sacrifices the Canadian boys did for my family in Holland. I attribute my name to the gratitude my parents felt for that one soldier that shared his rations with them at the end of the war.

[@obviousypc]

My grandpa was a radio man/loader in a Sherman tank during the Liberation, stayed with a couple Dutch families during it, and one of the most moving experiences of my life was going to France, Belgium and Holland in '95, when I was 15, with him and my dad and grandma for the 50th anniversary of VE Day, and meeting those families!

[@KateCful]

Your the best Canadians, we will never forget your brave young soldiers wiling to give there life´s for my country

[@undergroundzam]

We love you, Canadian brothers! Greetings, great respect and much love from the Netherlands!

[@guyski666]

We love you too.....

[@lucifersgarden]

I am a nonspiritual/nonreligious person, but honestly, soldiers make me wish I could believe in some kind of heaven or afterlife. If anyone deserves eternal rest, peace and contentment, it's men and women like this. Proud Canadian and granddaughter of a WWII combat medic. Proud friend of the Dutch.

[@parker21406]

thank you very much for this video wonderfull I was in the canadian navy on air craft carrier called hms puncher in 1944 and was in Holland for the liberation and cannot forget the reception we received thank very much. I have bee trying to have a windmill instaled in ottawa ont for 2 years to honour the canadian veterans and the dutch people.

[@junobardo376]

Thank you all Dear Brave Soldiers, My mother, now 79 and suffering from Alzheimer, still talks about those horrible years. Without those brave liberators , l know they probably all would have starved to death. This kept a deep inpact on my parents and especially my grandparents their whole lives (who refused to talk about the war untill they died). Never ever throw away food! My mother still remembers the white bread and chocolates! Thank you thank you! May you all RIP.

[@Lintary]

The choice so many made to fight for the Freedom of a country so far away, no we will never forget and neither should we. I know my Grand dad will never forget, he holds the Canadians in really high regard. A few years ago my Dad took him to the sites of D-day as well because he wanted to pay his respects to all those who died there as well.

[@joycewalker2675]

Oh Canadaaaaaaaa.......you even found my parents back for me!!!!!!I was taken away from home and nobody knew to where I had gone.!! thank you !!!!

[@daveedanderson2917]

Canada loves your country. We always will. Our friendship is wonderous.

[@joycewalker2675]

Thank you...thank you...thank you !!!!!!! You gave me a....rest of a life .....!!!!!!!

[@guyski666]

We were glad to help, and we would do it again. No-one should ever be treated the way the way the Germans treated the Dutch people. I am so happy for you :)

[@Braindamagedcat]

I'm tearing up looking at this lol. God bless you.

[@michaeldaley4160]

God bless you wonderful people and your wonderful Country!!!!🇨🇦

[@squamish4244]

Soon the last of these men and women will be gone and no one will remember how terrible a world war is. Hopefully things like this can help us to learn as best we can.

[@MalePietje]

Damnit, you almost made me cry :o Comming Monday and Tuesday (4th and 5th of May) will be Remembrance Day and Liberation Day. We will never forget.

[@MandyMiaoMiao]

You guys saved my grandparents not just from occupation but also from starvation. My grandmom died last year at the age of almost 98, We will always remember you, the next generation too, we will always be thankfull for what all of you did. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 🇳🇱🌷❤🌷🇨🇦 Why do we Dutch people never have forgotten the Canadians? You have to be occupied to appreciate what freedom really means, and when you do, you never forget those who gave it to you. That's why Canada and so the Canadians will never be forgotten in the Netherlands by us Dutch people.

[@ogold9568]

My great uncle liberated the Netherlands he was a Sargent everyone he came with all died in action, I wish there were no wars in the world damn this was a upsetting video

[@Royalhighlander]

Love your freedom?Thank a veteran.. .. Ex Black Watch myself... brought tears to my eyes listening to that old Black Watch soldier talking about his time...The great life we have today we owe to these fine gentlemen.. On Nov 11th take the time to thanks a Vet.. an older vet and also one of todays veterans too...

[@liamhoogendoorn1652]

I am SO PROUD OF MY CANADA!!! God Bless Our Land!

[@lightbluewaves5526]

Mister Swimbait indeed, if the whole world was like canada, there would be no wars. cheers from the netherlands buddy :)

[@Martialarts222]

We are who we are because of these brave men/woman so on Nov 10th I do what I have done since I was thirteen I lay a light cigarette on the memorial, when people ask me "Why do that?" I explain most people smoked during the war, it's for them, the poppy is for the rest letting them know I won't forget, I can't forget. I hold my head high as a Canadian because of them.

[@landonnicholson3006]

God bless these selfless and brave men. True Heros.

[@anne29030]

Thank you .... for getting our freedom back! Vrijheid... is niet vanzelfsprekend.

[@aronvanmilaan4773]

We have freedom because of you!

[@Roozje44]

Thank you Canadian forces! love from the Netherlands!

[@ryandaly3948]

My Grandfather fought in the Netherlands with the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, he never talked about it, his medals sat in a desk drawer for years. I know what hurt his heart the most was seeing dead children during the War, as a grandfather he had a rocking chair in the corner of their living room, he would sing and rock every child to sleep. He would never talk about the War, I was the only person that finally got him to open up and I could understand why he didn’t. I went back with him to Holland and we toured were he fought, the Dutch people were amazing to us and it really helped him heal, it was 60 years of hell for him, but he always said, if he had to, he would do it again! I can say this, a lot of German POWs paid the price for their atrocities they committed!

[@michaeldaley4160]

@Ryan Daly where are you from in Canada?

[@liesannedepanne]

As a 25 year old Dutch person who did not experience this war I can say that remembering it is still one of the most important things for my country. For me personally I cannot put into words how grateful I am for Canadians like your grandfather, they gave back life to my grandparents and safeguarded freedom for next generations like my parents and I. We can never undo all the trauma caused by it, maybe the price was too high for your people, that breaks my heart because but what they/you gave us is priceless to me. Thank you.

[@Enderbramm]

Thanks for giving us freedom Canada!

[@user-zx5gs7gd7k]

The story about the baby and the grenade made me pretty emotional. Not that the other ones weren't sad (I was already sad listening to those ones) but that one...i don't know it's just something about it

[@Medysonball]

Oh god I starred to cry when the old man said the thing about the baby and grenade, I looked at his face and just... Damn it man... Fucking war is horrible

[@ebayzrockstar2220]

Thank you from a Canadian.My grandfather was WW2 vet he passed away when i was 12 never had the chance to ask him where he was.

[@billmackenzi5584]

We as Canadians Should always Remember just like the Dutch. The young Kids in Holland Respect the Canadians. That's why I joined the Canadian Armed Forces. To Serve My Country and To always Remember them who are still there. LEST WE FORGET,

[@michaeldaley4160]

Thanks for your service Bill MacKenzi 🇨🇦🍻

[@randar1969]

my mother now 87 kept telling me when she got an simple loaf of bread from a canadian soldier she tought she had died and was in heaven.

[@chrisgelauf8668]

My father was born in the Hague in 1943, there was no food for him or his brothers and sisters, the efforts of these brave men to save Holland will never be forgotton.

[@surfxx9685]

thank you canada more then 20 canadian soldiers gave their life for me and my fellow country man thank you❤

[@Trey5Damare]

sadly there was way more life loss than 20.

[@robertarisz8464]

This might seem like long ago but it is still fresh in the memory of the nation. This will never be forgotten nor will the gratitude of the Dutch end ever.

[@libbys1256]

Thank you to all the men/ women who fought for our freedom. I can't imagine the sacrifices you had deal with. Thank you 🇨🇦🙏❤

[@alantoon5708]

Another excellent program.

[@susanhampson446]

"8) The Scheldt Battle: Canada’s toughest WW2 battle As the Allies were advancing through Continental Europe following the successful D-Day landings in 1944, the Canadians were tasked with liberating Northern Belgium and the Southern Netherlands. Because of the predominantly muddy and flooded terrain, the Canadians suffered heavy casualties in attacking well-fortified German positions, but ultimately prevailed. Some historians argue that the Canadians waged battle on the most challenging geographic environment on the Western Front." The Canadian War Museum

[@peternikitin2910]

Thank you Canada!

[@guyski666]

You are welcome. My father was a sniper in WW11, and I would do the same thing myself in a heartbeat. So sorry for the suffering your country had to endure. I wish we could of helped you sooner.........

[@lynbest6759]

WE SHALL NEVER FORGET! How does this generation of baby boomers adequately thank you, not just for your service to your country of Canada, to the Alllied nations, but to human kind? Thank you,, your families, friends, and colleagues. May God bless you and keep you in the palm of His hand. I've had the pleasure of meeting many Dutch people, and am honoured to observe their sincere and eternal gratitude.. For every tear you shed, we (I) shed a thousand more seeing your pain. Oh, there aren't enough words ....

[@casinodwarf]

Lest we forget.

[@madianavankooten1185]

We LOVE you!

[@MrRobster1234]

I wrote Clifford Chadderton a letter one time about Billy Bishop. He wrote back the most wonderful letter. Rest in Peace Ciff.

[@kmrbsc]

Thanks to all of our Vets

[@334thFrenchie]

My Father Tpr Moise Amyotte fought under Major David Currie with the South Alberta Regiment. He'll be 90 May 7th for VE Day.....what a nice B-Day present Eh! :P

[@pmbear]

Have personally played for and met most of these gents. There is no amount of thanks that is enough for these men and more importantly, those who sacrificed all for a safer and better world. We WILL remember them.

[@zackmorris1847]

That man speaking about the gernade and the baby...very moving. One who has been lucky enough to never see those sorts of things cannot imagine those two words being used in the same sentence.

[@livingonadollar2882]

So Grandpa You were one of the lucky ones !..No Son I was one of grateful ones..I walked over the bodies Of men that fell before me. Without having a time to give respect. And for 40 years they remind me in my sleep

[@hundefraulein2]

Thank you so much. And thank you for talking about it. The sacrifice is not just in physical health or life, its in mental health. I cannot even begin to imagine.

[@cnd.9003]

We have no idea the suffering once these Canadian men got home after the war . God bless them for all the sacrifices they made mentally and physically. The survivors guilt is unfair to them. Heartbreaking.

[@TheKimberlysun]

im so mtouched amazing

[@MrDaiseymay]

GIVEN THE RELATIVELY SMALL POPULATION OF CANADA, SET AGAINST IT'S COST IN LIVES, AND THE OVERALL UNSTINTED EFFORTS OF THE CANADIANS. IN BOTH WORLD WARS , HAS NEVER REALLY BEEN RECOGNISED AND PRAISED ENOUGH, IN MY OPINION. FROM THE UK

[@arrowbflight5082]

Philip Croft Very true, and well said.

[@michaeldaley4160]

@ Philip Croft.Thank you from Canada🇨🇦🇬🇧

[@MrRobster1234]

My Father was there via North Africa, Italy, Sicily, and France. He told me he was terrified until he got off the Queen Mary in Halifax.

[@madianavankooten1185]

DANK U WEL!!!!

[@cnd.9003]

That hurt my soul.. ❤️🇨🇦

[@BonderGomme]

Léo Major liberate the city of Zwolle... by himself! R.I.P. One Man Army

[@xanbex8324]

That is an amazing story which few know. Thanks for mentioning a GREAT Canadian hero!

[@a.hoctavius5848]

GOD BLESS THE ROYAL CANADIAN ARMY, NAVY, AIRFORCE and all our Crown forces and institutions! GOD SAVE OUR QUEEN AND COUNTRY

[@thematriarchy2075]

I am still looking for my Canadian grandfather.

[@squamish4244]

That is certainly true. And WWI as well - after these wars no one has ever thought war is glorious again.

[@smithsoniansamurai7043]

Except the Americans, who lost very little during both wars compared to the rest of the world. So they still have a very romanticized view...also it never has come to their country, they always go abroad, so that makes it easier.

[@IDGAFS21]

GOD BLESS CANADA IM SO PROUD TO BE BREATHING THE FREE AIR DONT KNOW FOR HOW LONG WITH ALL THIS NWO TALK MAKES ME SICK BUT GOD BLESS UM :)

[@kevinyoung9053]

The man that lived across the street from me all my life was in 8th recce regt (14th Canadian Hussars) in WW2

[@mcee6193]

life heroes !!!

[@jitse8611]

6:40 can Some one tell where this was ?

[@ThePantyDroper]

Poor guy who accidentally killed the baby. It's not his fault. I hope he forgives himself.

[@Dutchtreat-pn3cj]

Thank you Canada.

[@RebelsLiberator]

Ill remember.And ill make sure i pass it along to the next generation of canadians on this side of the Atlantic.

[@TheKimberlysun]

this is geniusthings in the works

[@Vroegindeij]

7:35

[@glen6945]

real truth

[@TheKimberlysun]

I AM KIM SUN AND I REPRESENT PEACE UNITY ASND GRAPES

[@jay8058]

profound.

[@lilliandonaldsonstaff7075]

Production values - get rid of the music in the background as it takes away from the interviews. Have a narrator in between introducing or connecting the interviews with the each other. I'd love to show this to my history class, but unfortunately it isn't as engaging as it should be considering the topic.

[@THX-bz8bi]

Gj

[@dublinboy]

The dutch are greatfull to canadians, i don,t think so, in 1947 they tried to oppress indonesians and committed alot of war crimes there. Nasty way to pay back humanity

[@radioman-pz5jw]

after the leberation of the Netherland . The Netherland occupied Indonesia en the other colonies .. thanks God this colonies ARE LEBERATED NOW ..

[@dublinboy]

Your not meant to talk about that

[@Vroegindeij]

7:38