(photo source:Maple Leaf Up forum) Dutch flag rescued from burning Canadian tank (1st Hussars) at Appledorn,1945. This flag, now in private hands, is described as : "On 17 April 1945 two tanks attacked the Deventer bridge in Apeldoorn.The first one was set on fire and during the retreat they collided in the dark against other tanks that were lined up along the road. This involved several deaths.This Dutch flag comes from the first tank. " How did the Dutch flag get in the tank? Dutchman Wout Jansen tells how he obtained the flag. "This flag is of official Dutch issue.This flag I got from an old man who had experienced the liberation of Apeldoorn. This flag was then rescued from a burning Canadian tank at the battle of Apeldoorn April 17, 1945. On the flag is the following imprint: ARTHUR & ??????, 1942 and the 'Broad Arrow'." The flag is War Office issue. made to War Office order. They were probably issued to liberating troops in Holland - the rationale being it was wise to show the public that the troops entering Holland were friendly. The Battle and the 1st Hussars tank The 1st Brigade, supported by tanks of the 1st Hussars (6th Canadian Armoured Regiment), attached to the 1st Division from 6 April, faced moderate resistance, artillery and mortar fire on the right flank. The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment approached Teuge, three miles east of Apeldoorn, at noon on 13 April, with the RCR keeping abreast on the left. By midnight the brigade had closed up to the Apeldoorn Canal, running north-south through the eastern portion of Apeldoorn itself, and The Royal Canadian Regiment was running patrols in the suburbs. That night a squadron of the 1st Hussars and a company of RCR tried to cross the canal, but were rebuffed with the loss of two tanks. The flag was with one of those tanks. Canadian Virtual Military Museum
To follow that chronology, on 13th April the 1st Hussars approached Teuge and by midnight (13/14) had closed up to the Apeldoorn Canal. That night (14/15) a squadron tried to cross the canal losing 2 tanks. So the deaths would be recorded as either 14th or 15th April. CWGC shows 1st Hussars with 5 deaths on 14th and 1 on 15th (but none "Arthur"). Would it be likely that someone from the RCR could have climbed upon the tank and affixed the flag, or is it most likely the tank crew that would have done so? At night, a Dutch flag would not have been of much use, but the flag clearly was taken from one of the tanks... I ask the question regarding the RCR as one casualty was ARTHUR Lanoue LANOUE, ARTHUR. Private. Service Number A/87104. Died 15/04/1945 Royal Canadian Regiment Buried at HOLTEN CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY Plot II. Row D. Grave 2. I can't find any explanation for "1942" as the 1st Hussars weren't fighting until reaching Normandy and none of the casualties Service Numbers contain "1942". Could it be a misread of 1945, when it could have been issued to troops in Holland? Is the date of 17th April correct and is it possible to get a clearer image of the writing on the flag? I can see why a brave Dutchman would have rescued that flag and interesting story. Apeldoorn is one of the 1st Hussars Battle Honours. Today not tomorrow!
