WW2 Liberation Stories

RCH Association Blue North West Battlefield Tour
11-16 April 2025, organized to celebrate
the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and commemorate the fallen

General

• Detailed description and tour diary – Prepared by John Cochrane, tour organizer, and Treasurer of the Royal Canadian Hussars Association.

Day 2 – Saturday, April 12, 2025 – Holten and Wijhe

• Photos of visit to Holten Canadian War Cemetery – courtesy of tour participants.

• Gordon Routley’s father’s story about Lieutenant Anderson.

• Historical photos at Van Dam Farm – courtesy of the Wijhe Historical Society.

• Photos of visit to Wijhe – courtesy of tour participants.

Day 3 – Sunday, 13 April 2025 – Zwolle, Kampen and Heerenven

• Photos of visit to Zwolle – courtesy of tour participants.

• Photos of visit to the Kampen Historical Society – courtesy of tour participants and the historical society.

• Photos of visit to the Kampen monument – courtesy of tour participants and the historical society.

Day 4 – Monday, 14 April 2025 – Oude Schouw, Grou to Wergea

• Presentation by Edwin Meinsma on the liberation of Friesland.

• Lieutenant Arthur Harris story.

• Photos of visit to the old bridge site at Oude Schouw – courtesy of tour participants.

• Photos of boat trip Part 1 in nature reserve – courtesy of tour participants.

• Photos of boat trip Part 2 to Wergea and RCH Flag raising – courtesy of tour participants.

Day 5 – Tuesday, 15 April 2025 – Leeuwarden

• Photos of Leeuwarden Liberation ceremony and RCD flag raising.

• Photos of book launch in Leeuwarden city hall.

• Speech by Edwin Meinsma, Author of book “Canadians in Friesland”.

• Photos of Leeuwarden canal and prison tour.

Other

• Visit plan – prepared by John Cochrane.