The Liberation of Groningen: The Diary Account of Theo Polman

Authors

Greg Sennema

Abstract

The city of Groningen in the Netherlands was liberated by the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division during the final month of the Second World War. While the battle was not significant to the outcome of the war, the combat was nonetheless significant for both the participants, as well as the citizens who lived through four days of fierce street fighting. Using his grandfather’s detailed diary, and with references to the War Diaries of some of the battalions involved, the author describes the experience of one family that huddled in their home through the battle, and their interactions with Canadian soldiers after the fighting stopped.

Recommended Citation

Sennema, Greg "The Liberation of Groningen: The Diary Account of Theo Polman." Canadian Military History 26, 2 (2017)