The Battle of the Scheldt
The Battle of the Scheldt was a harsh fight between the Germans and Allied forces from Canada, Poland, and the United Kingdom. Both sides were occupying territory in the Southwestern Netherlands and Northern Belgium during the Second World War. Canadian Forces were given the task of clearing out the Scheldt of German occupiers as they were making it difficult for the allies supplies to reach their troops. The Battle of the Scheldt was a battle between the Canadians and Germans to gain that land so the Allies would finally have a port for resupply where it was needed.
The First Advance
The Battle of Arnhem had a noble purpose. Antwerp, Belgium had been liberated, and the Allies were approaching Holland, seeking a way to be able to enter Germany undetected. The bridge crossing over the Rhine River in Arnhem seemed to be an ideal spot to take control over. However, the bridge was already occupied by German soldiers.
Operation Market Garden was launched in September of 1944, the Allied Airborne Army in the sky and engaging with enemy forces. At this same time, the Allies advanced on the bridge crossing the Rhine, needing both a passage into Germany and a connection to the sea for resources.The airborne forces joined in the Battle of Arnhem when the soldiers on the ground were being beaten by Germany’s counterattack. The strong defensive stance of the Germans was unexpected, and not prepared for. Even with the help of the airborne army, they were defeated in the end, and afterward could plan for their next advancement. |
The Liberation of the Netherlands
The beginning of 1945 did not have a promising start for those living in the Netherlands. The Battle of Rhineland was already 2 months in the planning and the German occupation didn’t seem like it was going to let up. February 8th changed that for good as the Canadians started their move in. They started on the Rhine river which is where this battle gets it’s name, the Battle of Rhineland. In this battle, the Canadians fought beside the British and American forces making the largest army ever commanded by a Canadian officer. However, even with the massive army, the Dutch didn’t make it through the war without major scars. The Germans had blocked any food and fuel from entering the major cities, leaving the Dutch with food shortages. Thousands of Dutch citizens died from starvation by the time the war ended. Even though 1945 did not have a promising start, by May 1945 the Netherlands celebrations were worth the waiting for.