My Pop fought in Europe during the war and was very much impressed with the Canadian soldiers. Considering their population, they made a huge and vital effort in winning the war in Europe. We should never forget that fact, especially considering their losses in men, must have affected most Canadian families.

My Grandad was amongst the Canadian troupes at the liberation of Holland. He told me how they gave out chocolate to the children. He and his fellow soldiers were walking through a village and a woman stopped him, ran into her house and came back out with a tiny blue and white china shoe and pressed it into Grampies hand. He tucked it in his pocket and when he came home he gave it to his mother in law ( my great grandmother). Before she passed away she made sure that it was given to me and it sits on my treasure shelf to this day. Grampie always smiled when he told me that story and said that it was probably the dutch ladys on treasure that she gave to him out of gratitude.

The Netherlands was the most friendly country ive ever been to in Europe. All i could think of was how sad it must have been in WW2. They love Canadians too which is a bonus for me.

My Grandfather was part of the Canadian troops that helped liberate Amsterdam.

The Dutch have never forgotten their Canadian liberators. Every spring, Ottawa is covered in fresh Dutch tulips.

If any Canadian would like for someone to lay flowers at a specific grave in the Netherlands, please let me know. I will go there personally to put flowers. We may never forget!

My Grandfather was a Hasty P Canadian 1st Division, he helped liberate the Netherlands. I got to tour where he fought in Europe with him in 2005 just before he passed away, we where in northern Holland and we went to this town, he broke down and started to walk away, he said I can’t be here! I calmed him down, he raised his head and said we where right there pushing the Germans back into this town, some of them held us up while others ran over the bridge into the town. He said the Germans holding them up ran into the town and they chased them. He said by time they got over the bridge there was a bomb crater just after the bridge in the town, in it where a bunch of women and children that had just been murdered, a bunch of the men in the town came out and where crying yelling that the Germans ran out of the town, and that the first ones tried to kill all the women and children, so they pushed on. He told me a time they stopped a train going to a gas chamber, he was front line and they tried breaking the cattle cars open with barb wire around them with slits for air. He said the people where packed in so tight that the dead couldn’t fall. A NCO came up and told them to go after the Germans so it was safe for reinforcements to get the people out safe, he said the train was still running and the Germans just jumped off and ran. He would hold his head down and say, I can still hear all those people crying and moaning like I was there right now. He lost so much weight giving his rations away, he was caught behind a mound of dirt for days with no food cause the Germans had a MG42 on him, he couldn’t move and just before he gave his food to a family. The Dutch people when we where over there treated us beautifully, I thank you guys for you kindness when we came. Took me years and many books to get my Grandfather to talk about it, it affected him till the day he died!

75 years ago today we will never forget. Our children and grandchildren will learn to value freedom.

Nt family was liberated in May 45, living in Utrecht. My mum remembers dancing with Canadian soldiers. One soldier was shocked because he could feel her ribs, she had survived the Winter of Hunger (Hongerwinter). My grandma went out dancing with a Canadian officer, my mum remembers grandma on a Canadian jeep, sitting between the driver and the officer. THANK YOU to all who liberated us. My parents were very sad that so many died. War is sad indeed. I love you! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Martine van Kooten

Great footage, very informative yet sad to see this footage. My grandma used to have germans (forced) in her house. She would cook for them and then they went To the frontline near Overloon where was fought heavily. They would return exhausted after weeks and she could here them cry at night. Those german boys were only 17-22 she said and didnt seem To want To fight. War is a sad thing, she was very happy when She was libirated by the canadians and always hoped the young boys survived

The Dutch will always be immensely grateful to the Canadians who liberated us from the Nazi occupation. Often with their lives. Thank you Canada so much!

Thank you Canada and Polish and U.S. Most Dutch people will never forget what you did for us!

my grandma was lucky, she lived in the countryside and so the Hongerwinter didn't hit her quite as hard as it did the rest of the country... what did she do with that extra energy? she put down a bed of coal inside a pram and laid her poor baby sister across them (my great aunt outlived my grandma and she doesnt remember the coal bed) and brought coal to the freezing families in the nearby city. whenever i hear stories about the second world war... I think about this brave girl...who eventhough she had it good enough, risked her life to pass a pram full of coal past nazi checkpoints just so a family in a nearby city might be warm for the night... 14 km,s to and 14 km's back (8.6 miles to and fro, more than 16 miles back and forth. not once but as often as she could) dankjewel oma... je hebt genoeg gedaan

What a great video! Beautiful footage, in color no less! Very happy to have found it.

I was born in Canada in 1972 to a Dutch Father and German Mother. They married in 1969 on exact day the moon landing occurred. Their marriage was a difficult one because of my mother being German and yet once married my Dutch family accepted her as family. I grew up hearing stories from both sides. My German grandfather was a ferry captain, who would ferry troops in the Baltic. He was court marshaled twice for speaking out. The first time he was assisted by an officer but the 2nd he was sent to the Russian front where he was captured. He spent 4 years after the war ended in a Gulag. He existed on the meager rations which often would be skipped or tampered with. He ate rats and whatever he could find to survive...Russian lades would on occasion hide potatoes and veggies in their clothing but that was rare. In his final years he would have the worst nightmares and rant in Russian a language he would never speak in during the day. He died in 86 with the shrapnel of a grenade wound still in his legs. My Dutch grandparents spoke about the atrocities and the hunger winter they endured. It got so bad they would boil leather to eat, whatever they needed to for survival...some things so horrible they would immediately cry but not talk about...I can only imagine :( My grandmother wrote a poem called 'Dank aan Canada'. She was sad that my father left Europe with my mother but given the sentiment still she understood and was so proud when he chose Canada to immigrate to. No matter how sad or terrifying her memories, mentioning the Canadian soldiers immediately would change her disposition. Her generation would never forget the men who came from across the ocean to liberate them. I still have the poem and will paste it below including a translation.

Canadians are quite PROUD of the remarkable success of our Amed Forces. On a PERCENTAGE basis, we lost more soldiers than England,France & the United States. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

I love seeing this. My great grandfather helped liberate the Netherlands. I have a painting that was graciously gifted to him from a family he stayed with while there. My grandma always used to tell me stories she heard from him, and how amazing and appreciative the Dutch people were. I would love to visit someday :)

My uncle in the Canadian infantry fought in the Netherlands and loved the Dutch. I have read and listened to so much about the cruelty of the Nazis and Japanese that I can never step foot in either of those countries. I cannot forgive them for what they did.

I should ask my opa (grandfather) where he was on VE day. I'm a second generation Canadian and 50% Dutch, so the bond between these two nations has always stood out to me.

My father was with the Hasting & Prince Edward Regiment. After landing in Sicily, they fought up the Adriatic coast and were then moved to Holland. When they saw how starved the Dutch were, they voluntarily went on half rations and gave away the rest. He had a Dutch girlfriend but she would not agree to come to Canada with him (fortunately for me). He stayed away from all tanks. If they were German, they tried to kill him. If they were Allied, they attracted German artillery which tried to kill him. He had a knack for getting in trouble (alcohol related) and he told me he always hoped American MP's picked him up because the English Provosts would never give you a break.

There is no greater gift you can give but to lay down your life for your fellow man!

Apparently many Canadian soldiers spoke to their commanding officers and asked to have their meals halved so that the remaining portions could go to the local population; is sounds unbelievable, but a recent interview with a 94 year old veteran on CBC revealed this to be the case. As we spiral this day (11 people murdered in a synagogue in Pittsburgh) into a civilization whose only parallel seems to be that of Central Europe, 1933-1939, where propaganda is permission, we can only pray that the better angels of the earth will again restore grace to humanity.

Truly amazing, this is what makes history really comes alive. 🤩

the canadian soldier is one of the best in the world because he volunteer's to go to war..thus making him a force to recon with.he is not drafted he chooses to fight,and that is what makes him one of the finest in the field

My grandpa fought in the Royal Canadian Air Force and RAF I only met him when I was a baby then he died 10 days later I wish I could learn from him from his experiences

My father was with the Regina Rifles in the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. They fought at Nijmegen in the liberation of the Netherlands. Years later he and other vets were sent some orange poppy seeds, which Mom planted in one of our gardens. I always liked seeing them bloom.

My grandfathers sister married a Canadian liberator. We still have family in Canada.

My father was a sniper for the Canadian armed forces in WW11. I could never understand why he drank so much, and why he got so mean when he did. In fact I did not have much respect for him. But after watching this video, and seeing the joy in the faces of the people he helped, I realize how wrong I was....

Never knew that this footage existed. Amazing job in preserving it!

My mother and father are born and raised in the Netherlands and lived through the war. My Mom said she will never forget when the Canadians liberated her country. After the war, in 1951 they immigrated to Canada where I'm born. Understandably, they do not like Germany for having destroyed their country. I speak conversational Dutch and so enjoy speaking the language when I have visited the Netherlands on 3 occasions. The Dutch people love Canadians, especially ones that can speak their language.

My wife is Dutch. I am Canadian. MY WIFE IS A REAL SWEETIE!!!❤️❤️🇨🇦

I'm 5th generation and my son is 6th generation Canadian , my gr father fought in the Atlantic against the German Uboat as stoker on the corvette ship Mayflower , very proud to b Canadian and our veterans 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

Danke für den Upload und beste Wünsche

Aww my dad was there always hope to see a pic of him.

Great footage and restoration , . 73 years ago today my Uncle and my dads cousin were fighting to free Arnhem and Oosterbeek from the tyranny of nazi occupation .

I hope that they can keep these sorts of videos for all time. They are fascinating from a historical perspective and yet terrible at the same time. They demonstrate the utter futility of war and yet what do you do when someone wants to trample all over you.

Well done. Great job!

My Dad was in the RCAF during WWII and was part of ground crews de-rigging Lancaster bombers of their bomb loads in England, replacing those with crates of canned food rigged to parachutes.....the Lancasters then took off and "bombed" Holland with the food under Operation Manna, the allied food drop into Holland.....! In 1957, Dad was transferred to RCAF 1 Air Division Headquarters in Metz, France (Alsace-Lorraine north east France)......in the spring, my brother and I hitch-hiked through Belgium to Holland with a Canadian flag on our rucksacks...we got to the Dutch border and when the Dutch customs officers saw our Canadian ID, they stopped a Dutch business man entering Holland and told him to take us to Amsterdam with him.....he was delighted and hosted us for a week in Amsterdam, touring us all over....telling everyone that we were Canadian teenagers......when he found out that our father had loaded food into RCAF Lancaster bombers for Operation Manna, he made a few quick phone calls......in about an hour or so, Dutch police arrived.....and we thought we were in deep trouble....but the officers explained that they had been ordered to pick us up and escort us to City Hall...! We arrived there to find a....band.....a patrol of police officers on parade and the Mayor and city hall staff decked out in Orange banners......we were shocked to find ourselves the centre of attraction and being hoisted up on police shoulders and a growing crowd cheering us....! The mayor explained in Dutch to the crowd that we were the children of an RCAF airman who had loaded food on RCAF (and RAF) Lancaster bombers that then had airdropped that food into Holland......we were kissed by every female for blocks, given cakes and wine and brandy....! What memories....!

My great grandfather was born in Holland in 1859 . Came to Britain in the 1870 s .

Great video !!!

My Great Grandfather always said "I'd hate to be on the opposite side of them Canadian boys. They are as tough as nails and fight like hell". I've never forgot that and married a Canadian Woman. He wasn't wrong.

At 20:30 Vrijheidslaan, from Amstel station to Rijnstraat . Lived there in early 90s. Recognised it instantly. No change

This is awesome !

Fantastic colour film and those clogs should definitely make a come back !

my dad was there he said they were estatic when the canadian soldiers arrived.....

My father was a member of the resistance since may 1945. He was never caught.

I think that from 23:23 onwards, we're watching the liberation of Luxemburg (not Holland). The countries have the same flag (red, white, and blue). Maybe that's why the two fragments were put together? The woman getting off the plane at 24:50 certainly isn't the Dutch queen. I think it's the grand duchess of Luxemburg. You can also see her here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bdyYlKmalZepln0.html.

The next time that politicians call for a war, let's just not show up.

20:21 this looks like the area of Merwedeplein where Anne Frank lived. Great film and as a Canadian I wish we would of got to Amsterdam a lot sooner to liberate the Dutch. both my Uncles were apart of that liberation :)

the dutch celebrate the liberation in 45 every year and have the greatest respect for canadians...as a canadian if i visit holland i wont need for anything

Thanks for giving us the band Van Halen. I heard Jan Van Halen tell stories of living in tunnels an bomb shelters. Had he not survived, we would have never had Eddie.

Amazing to see this in colour

As A Canadian, Im proud for the people who helped Netherlands be free.

i saw some great footage from my neighborhood where i live right now there is like one building that u still will regonice from back then

As an southern American coming by and looking at this interesting piece of history......I must admit this by far my favorite moment in ww2 next to the er....battle of Berlin.

so very very proud of the canadians who gave there blood and resolve to the dutch

You have to been occupied to appreciate what freedom really means, and when you do, you'll never forget who gave it to you

Awsome 👍🏾

Well the Canadian vehicles going through the towns were certainly chick magnets back in the day. Thank you for this amazing colour footage.

I think much of the bond is one smaller power helping another. In a war where the great powers dominated this was a case were two countries that were not great powers and who had little to do with each other before the war shared a great occation. Like many here have said my father was there with the Calgary Tank Regiment.

I’ll tell you what, if God forbid there is another Great War I’d want the Canadians in my foxhole. They are tough as nails.

In tears...

Technical/uniform related question for those in the know: At 11:42 we see German military personnel marched out of a building. The standard eagle/Swastika is naturally emblazoned on their upper right breast pockets but it appears to be in yellow/gold. I thought that in the Wehrmacht at least (and officers of general rank obviously excepted) this symbol was always woven in _silver_ thread as standard? Is this perhaps a visual distortion caused by the primitive nature of the colour cine camera being used or were these patches actually gold? If so, why and does it denote something different from silver?

My Grandfather was a Sapper with the Canadian military when they helped liberate Holland. Tulip 🌷

Thank you Canada!!

What great footage. Both my parents lived as children through the Nazi occupation of Holland.

Great! 💯

This was a great video/film many thanks to the Canadian Army....

My great grandfather was Dutch Jewish but came to England , his surname was de witte

Que gran documento fílmico d la historia que cambió radicalmente al mundo en dos, Político social y económico, hoy siglo 21,vivimos esas consecuencias d guerras mundiales

I was looking to see a child the same age as my wife. Born 1941 in Rotterdam, came out of it with just rickets.

God, how lucky these kids were that they did not fall under the Soviet occupation

"The forgotten battle" on Netflix very excellent movie about the Canadians. They were fierce fighters and unlike the British and Americans the Canadians never got R&R from June 6th until the end of the war. They fought nonstop. God bless them.

i had TEARS in my eyes!

Is this 2-strip instead of full color? The Dutch flag is red not orange!

Thanks so much.. American , English and Canadian... Good bless American...

Just a little music from that time would make watching just that little more enjoyable, its good non the less.

It’s ironic that am watching a bridge to far and this pops up on Veterans Day.

самый таинственный Город , из тех , которые я знаю !!! я рад что Он жив

очень Люблю этот сказочный Город !!!

It’s too bad there is no commentary.

The gratitude of the Dutch for the sacrifices of my countrymen in liberating them is much appreciated. They continue to show it even to this day, 75 years later.

We would do it again

My friend's mother was Dutch and told us some horrible stories. I wrote them all down...

I never understood why they wore wooden shoes? They look uncomfortable too.

why are these pictures so dark? Can't make out much.....

life must have been a serieus issue in those days in small villages coz non of the adults are smiling.

Who is the lady coming out of the DC-3?

6:06 H.P. Lovecraft!!!

Sommige dingen zien er hetzelfde uit maar andere dingen zijn totaal veranderd

Does anyone know how badly the people were hungry even starving ? And what if any relief did they receive from the allies ? Did they ship in huge amounts of food and other supplies for them ? I'm kinda proud that American food and war materials capacity was sooo huge. Not only with huge shipments of lend lease pre war but all through the war. Also rebuilding with Marshall plan.

It seems like the projector film noise is really unnecessary....why would anyone think it's good...just annoying....

First town is Volendam.

For a lost soldier.

Everyone so well dressed and clean

You where lucky in eastern Europe Nazis did unspeakable crimes ageinst civilians because Nazis considered Slavs as less humans so they did bad thinks to us.

Fantastic smile

Asmr film rolling

Why are the people of Holland referred to as "Dutch", while the word "Hollandaise", refers to a sauce which originated in France?!

First guy in Monnickendam looking good 💪🏻👦🏻