As part of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands, members of the 48th Highlanders of Canada traveled there to participate in the commemorative ceremonies. Following on from our previous article on Operation CANNONSHOT, this article examines how the celebrations were conducted in the city of Apeldoorn. Read Sergeant Patrick Navarro’s impressions!
We are proud serving members of the 48th Highlanders of Canada. We know the names of our fallen forefathers now buried in Holten War Cemetery. We learned about the regiment’s role in Operation Cannonshot and their crossing at Ijssel. We read of the mad 200-yard crawl Maj Beal made towards Able Company’s lead section south of Wilp and the tragic loss of the Commanding Officer (CO), LCol Donald MacKenzie, to artillery fire. In the Regimental History book we discovered the blazing courage of Lt Johnstone during Charlie Company’s assault on Hoven and Steenkamer, Capt George’s whip-fast raid of Baker Company into Twello, and the grievous slog of Dog Company into the sniper-infested Apeldoorn. We read the war diaries. We studied the battle maps. We prepped our dress, packed our kilts, and set off, 80 years after the gallantry and toil, to the Netherlands, the land these actions liberated.
By most accounts, I am not a wizened Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). One would call me a Junior Sergeant, having only earned the third chevron a few months prior to our journey. Regardless, I have attended my share of ceremonies. I’ve marched with the regiment in the streets of Toronto, and stood in silence many times during Remembrance Day. Silence was my reaction during our first parade in Apeldoorn; my silence contrasted with the cheers and words of kindness from the Dutch people. This feeling would continue during our marches at The Het Loo Palace, Wageningen, and Beekbergen. Further accentuated by the red maple leaf flying alongside the Dutch tri-colour flag.
Read the rest of the article on Honouring Bravery
Article written by Sgt. Patrick Navarro for Honouring Bravery.
