Operation “Canada”: 5th Canadian Armoured Division’s Attack on Delfzijl, 23 April to 2 May 1945

Authors

Daniel Byers, Royal Military College of CanadaFollow

Abstract

Operation “Canada” was the last action fought 5th Canadian Armoured Division in the Second World War. The battle to open the northern Dutch port of Delfzijl lasted ten days, and cost the Division a total of 62 dead and 180 wounded. Yet it has largely been forgotten. The capture of Delfzijl is interesting enough to be worth studying in its own right. As one of the last Canadian actions in the war, it reveals the level of proficiency achieved by Canadian soldiers by that time. The reduction of the pocket was carried out with a high degree of efficiency, and saw excellent cooperation between all combat arms. It is also a useful reminder that for many Canadians the costly fighting did not end in North-West Europe until the very last days of the war.

Recommended Citation

Byers, Daniel "Operation “Canada”: 5th Canadian Armoured Division’s Attack on Delfzijl, 23 April to 2 May 1945." Canadian Military History 7, 3 (1998)