Crossing four countries in 9 days, this group of 20 Canadian ex-Police, Army, Navy and Fire Fighters from Western Canada followed the 1944-45 advance to victory route taken by 2nd Canadian Army.
The group have travelled with Battle Honours four times over the last 8 years, each visit having looked at a different campaign, from Vimy 1917 to Dieppe 1942 and the 1943-44 Italy Campaign. The route this time took in less familiar locations that required research and recconnaissance on our behalf, but it was work that was enjoyable and fully paid off on the actual trip. For instance, we now have Boulogne 1944, Walcheren, Leopold Canal, Hochwald and Groningen to add to our own “Battle Honours”
However despite all the big name battles, their was one minor skirmish in central Netherlands which we included for the group, that typified the rapid but risky war of movement in early 1945. We identified a farm that features in some accounts of a day long engagement at Heino. whilst on the Recce, Julian made enquiries at the Diepman family farm only to find that the same family still own it, since pre-war and that Uncle Hermann now 92 was in the farm when the fighting took place.
In April the whole Dutch family including Herman welcomed our group with a tour of the farm, a Q&A with Hermann and of course a lovely group photo. The group donated several gifts including a handmade RCMP scarlet cloth with all their Police and Army Badges sen onto it and of course some Maple Syrup.
