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      The Liberation of Netherlands was a successful outflanking manoeuvre planned and performed by General Maczek. The beginning of the “Liberation of Netherlands” began with the Allied landing in Normandy in June 1944. They began in Normandy with the intention of rapidly advancing in the direction of the Dutch border. By September, the Allies launched “Operation Market Garden”. This was an attempt to advance from the Dutch-Belgian border across the rivers Meuse, Waal and Rhine into the north of the Netherlands and Germany. However, the Allied forces did not reach this objective because they could not capture the Rhine bridge at the Battle of Arnhem. During Market Garden, substantial regions to the south, including Nijmegen and much of North Brabant, were liberated. Much of the northern Netherlands remained in German hands until the Rhine crossings in late March 1945.

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The Allies also advanced into the province of Zeeland. At the start of October 1944, the Germans still occupied Walcheren and dominated the Scheldt and the port of Antwerp. The crushing need for a large supply port forced the Battle of the Scheldt in which First Canadian Army fought on both sides of the estuary during the month to clear the waterways. Large battles were fought to clear the water ways. By 31 October, resistance south of the Scheldt had collapsed, and the Allies all made attacks on Walcheren Island. Strong German defenses made a landing very difficult, and the Allies responded by bombing the dikes to flood the island. Though the Allies had warned residents with pamphlets, 180 inhabitants of Walcheren died. In the opening days of November, the Scheldt battle declared over; with a result of no German along the path to Antwerp.

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After the Allied armies broke out from Normandy, they pursued their goal along the coast of the English Channel. After crossing the Rhine at Wesel and Rees, Canadian forces entered the Netherlands from the east, liberating the eastern and northern provinces. The western provinces, where the situation was worst, however, had to wait until the surrender of German forces in the Netherlands. By May 4th, the German troops in the Netherlands were surrounded, and they surrendered.  Previously the Swedish Red Cross had been allowed to provide relief efforts, and Allied forces were allowed to airdrop food over the German-occupied territories. These air drops were followed by convoys of trucks carrying food and fuel. The atmosphere was lively, the Canadians were considered heroes as they walked throughout the Netherlands in victory parades. Mission “Liberation of the Netherlands” was a huge success.