Hello from the Netherlands. Searching the internet for information about liberation of the province of Friesland the Netherland i came on the website. Especialy Leeuwarden. Lokking forward to search here for information about that. Recenty bought a book with the title "Bevrijding van Nederland 1944-1945, oorlog op de flanken" from Crist Klep and Ben Schoenmaker. Very interresting book indeed. Greetings, Klaas Rein Noppert.
Welcome to the forum Klaas Klep & Schoenmaker is a good purchase ... the book is a real 'primer' for the history of the Liberation of Holland 1944/45. You also should consult Stacey's "Victory Campaign" which is available on line over here HyperWar: The Victory Campaign: The Operations in North-West Europe, 1944-1945 Some info on the Armoured Car sweep through eastern Friesland - which started at Dieverbrug - can be found here. The Royal Canadian Dragoons were the first to reach Leeuwarden: Operation Amherst: French SAS in Holland, April 1945
Thank you Stolpi and bamboo43. I am in it. What a great rechearch and stories. I tought that Leeuwarden was alway liberated from the east. But recenty i discoved that also the Canadians came from the south. Will read more.
Hello Klaas and welcome. The only source I have for operations on 21st Army Group’s left flank is a book called The Long Left Flank by Jeffery Williams (ISBN: 0-85052-8801; Leo Cooper, London, 1988). Williams (and Stolpi!) states that Leeuwarden was first reached by the Royal Canadian Dragoons, an armoured car regiment from Corps Troops, 1st Canadian Corps, which was protecting the left flank of 3rd Canadian Infantry Division during the division’s northwards advance to Leeuwarden. He doesn’t give a date for Leeuwarden’s liberation but it looks to have been on either 17 or 18 April. Hope this helps and all the best for your research. JDKR
Hello JDKR. Leeuwarden was liberated of the 15th of april 1945. Would like to know withs regiments and divisions were in the province of Friesland in april 1945. Found a map with the A B C and D sqn`s of the RCD. Greets, Klaas Rein.
