80 Years of Freedom – Honoring Apeldoorn’s Liberation!
A moment in history that changed everything—join us in remembering and celebrating Apeldoorn’s liberation. Whether you are leaving in a couple of weeks or simply want to be inspired, the following is a story you won’t want to miss.
Check out the calendar of events on our web site at this link: Calendar – 48th Highlanders of Canada
Military History
What was Operation Cannonshot? It was the operational code name for the crossing the Ijssel River and the liberation of Apeldoorn which commenced on 11 Apr 1945. The following link is to a summary article written by our Commanding Officer, LCol Tyler Wentzell: Canadian Encyclopedia article.
If you want a more high level view, the Veterans Affairs web site has an excellent overview of the Liberation of the Netherlands.
As it happened
Here is a YouTube video in colour of Apeldoorn shot a day or two after it’s liberation. The narration starts in Dutch but changes to English.
Holten War Cemetery
Most of those travelling to Apeldoorn will be attending the ceremony at Holten Cemetery on May 4. Holten Canadian War Cemetery contains 1,393 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War. The great majority of those buried here died during the last stages of the war in Holland, during the advance of the Canadian 2nd Corps into northern Germany, and across the Ems in April and the first days of May 1945. After the end of hostilities their remains were brought together into this cemetery.
Our Museum web site contains information about ALL the cemeteries in which our fallen Highlanders rest. We have enhanced the page for the Holten Cemetery. THIS LINK will take you to that page where you will find:
A list of the 20 Highlanders buried in Holten. There is a link for each name that will take you to the museum page for that Highlander. On each page you will find a photo of the Highlander (if we have one) and some particulars of his service and life before the war. Everyone will want to read about LCol Don MacKenzie DSO. (We HOPE that the research on those that lie here conducted by members of the active unit will be available before you arrive in the Netherlands.)
A link to a CBC drone video of an overflight of the cemetery.
A map that will enable you to generate directions from where you are to the cemetery. (All of our cemetery pages have this feature.)
You may want to take a tablet or laptop with an internet connection to Holten so that you can read the stories of the brave Highlanders who lie in this cemetery while you stand at their grave. A phone will do in a pinch. In lieu of this, we suggest that you print out the list of Highlanders using the print link in the top left of that page. You should visit ALL 20 of their graves because each one of them deserves to be saluted.
The Dutch were starving
It’s important to understand what was happening in the Netherlands at the time of the liberation. The winter of 1944-45 was a nightmare of starvation for the Dutch people.
The late S/Sgt Herb Pike spoke of the deprivation our soldiers witnessed as they liberated the Dutch people: link to CBC video.
A very emotional six minute film about the “Hongerwinter” is HERE. Narration in English.
Artifacts related to Apeldoorn
Our museum holds many artifacts related to Apeldoorn. These include photos, maps, articles about past liberation celebrations, and medals from some of those who participated in the liberation. Search for these items on the museum site by clicking THIS LINK and entering the search term “Apeldoorn”.
Included in the search results you will find this photo: LCol J.R.O. Counsell, DSO takes salute at dedication of Cemetery at Wilp in 1945 (on the left). Find this image to learn more about this poignant moment and what happened to those graves.
You will notice in the search results that there are numerous Falcon articles about previous trips to Apeldoorn. (Also, a number of artifacts are included because Apeldoorn is listed in our battle honours).
You will see that many items shown in your search results have not yet been photographed or scanned and that is why the museum welcomes volunteers to help us in this endeavour.
Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery
A 75 minute drive from Holten Cemetery is the GROESBEEK Canadian war cemetery in which Highlander Harold Chappell lies. Most of the 2,610 buried here are Canadians, many of whom died in the Battle of the Rhineland, when the 2nd and 3rd Canadian Infantry Divisions and the 4th Canadian Armoured Division took part in the drive southwards from Nijmegen to clear the territory between the Maas and the Rhine in February and March 1945.
Other places of interest
Those going on this trip might not have time to see much else in Europe, but we’ve worked hard to help you explore WW1 memorials, museums, and significant sites for the 48th Highlanders. Plan your future visit using the suggested tours on this page: Visiting the battlefields. Perhaps you can retrace the steps of the 15th Bn CEF in the future.
