Conducted from February 26 to March 3, 1945, Operation Blockbuster was the culmination of the Allied invasion of Nazi Germany. With the aim of bringing the war in Europe to a definitive end, Blockbuster mobilized several British and Canadian units in what became Canada’s most costly military campaign in human lives. The Queen’s Own Rifles, in particular, tragically lost many of its members in this operation. Discover the lives and sacrifices of some of them.

By the winter of 1945, the Allies had moved across Western Europe towards Germany. Before reaching Germany’s interior, the Allies first had to cross the Rhine River. In order to clear the Rhineland of German forces, the Allies attempted a pincer operation — Canadian and British troops would attack from the north while American troops would attack from the south ultimately surrounding and cutting off the German forces. Due to poor weather and flooding, however, the plan advanced more slowly than desired.

The Allies conceived a new plan to help speed up the capture of Germany: Operation Blockbuster. This plan went into affect on February 26, 1945. According to this new plan, Canadian forces would take the high ground south of Calcar and Udem, continue through the Hochwald Forest, and make their way to the cities of Xanten and Wesel. This would allow the Allies a passage over the Rhine and into the heart of Germany. 

What is the Rhineland?

The Rhineland is an area of Western Germany that boarders France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The area is named after the Rhine River, which flows through the region. According to the Treaty of Versailles and the Loncarno Treaties, the Rhineland was to stay demilitarized. However, Hitler violated these treaties by stationing German troops in the region in 1936. For Canadian soldiers on the Western Front, the Rhineland was the first time fighting on German soil.

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Article written by Anthony Badame for Honouring Bravery.