On to Victory
The Canadian Liberation of the Netherlands, March 23?May 5, 1945
Published on 29. December 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
552 pages
978-1-55365-813-9 (ISBN)
Description
It is remembered in the Netherlands as "the sweetest of springs," the one that saw the country's liberation from German occupation. But for the soldiers of First Canadian army, who fought their way across the Rhine River and then through Holland and northwest Germany, that spring of 1945 was bittersweet. While the Dutch were being liberated from the grinding boot heel of the Nazis, their freedom was being paid for in Canadian lives lost.
On to Victory is the story of those final cruel days of the war. From the brutal battlefields of Holland and northwest Germany where a collapsing enemy army still fought with fierce determination, to the unique truce in which the Germans and Allies provided food to millions of Dutch citizens starved almost to death, to those heady moments when each town and city was finally liberated, this is the little-told story of First Canadian Army's last campaign of World War II. With his trademark "you are there" style that draws upon official records, veteran memories, and a keen understanding of the experience of combat, Mark Zuehlke brings to life this final chapter in the story of Canada in World War II.
On to Victory is the story of those final cruel days of the war. From the brutal battlefields of Holland and northwest Germany where a collapsing enemy army still fought with fierce determination, to the unique truce in which the Germans and Allies provided food to millions of Dutch citizens starved almost to death, to those heady moments when each town and city was finally liberated, this is the little-told story of First Canadian Army's last campaign of World War II. With his trademark "you are there" style that draws upon official records, veteran memories, and a keen understanding of the experience of combat, Mark Zuehlke brings to life this final chapter in the story of Canada in World War II.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Canada
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
768 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-55365-813-9 (9781553658139)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2010
1st Edition
Douglas & McIntyre
€22.49
Available for download
Person
Mark Zuehlke is a leading Canadian popular historian, the author of 19 books, including nine devoted to military history. His popular series on the role Canadians played in World War II has garnered critical praise, awards and mountains of fan letters. Mark Zuehlke lives in Victoria, British Columbia.
Content
Preface
Acknowledgements
Maps
Introduction: The Sweetest of Springs
Part One: Over the Rhine, then Let Us Go
1 No Possibility of Doubt
2 Never to Be Forgotten
3 Go for the Goddamn Woods
4 Rugged Resistance
5 The Enemy Fought Like Madmen
6 More Than Battered About
7 Pretty Sticky
8 Utmost Tenacity
Part Two: Delighted with This Entire Show
9 All Together Again
10 A Lion and a Tiger
11 Fierce Rearguard Actions
12 On the Brink
13 Crazy Young Devils
14 Minor Skirmishes
Part Three: Breakouts
15 Long Way Out Front
16 On to Groningen
17 Waited So Long
18 Piece of Cake
19 Jerry Is Running
Part Four: Risky Business
20 A Stern Atonement
21 Large-Scale Street Fighting
22 Operation Cleanser
23 Sound Tactical Plans
24 Crossroad Ambushes
25 Bitterest Battle
26 Thank You, Canadians
Epilogue: The Liberation Campaign in Memory
Appendix A: Principal Politicians, Commanders, and Units
in Liberation Campaign
Appendix B: The Canadian Army in the Liberation
Campaign (Combat Units Only)
Appendix C: Canadian Infantry Battalion (Typical Organization)
Appendix D: Canadian and German Army Order of Ranks (Lowest to Highest)
Appendix E: Army Decorations
Notes
Bibliography
General Index
Index of Formations, Units, and Corps
About the Author
Acknowledgements
Maps
Introduction: The Sweetest of Springs
Part One: Over the Rhine, then Let Us Go
1 No Possibility of Doubt
2 Never to Be Forgotten
3 Go for the Goddamn Woods
4 Rugged Resistance
5 The Enemy Fought Like Madmen
6 More Than Battered About
7 Pretty Sticky
8 Utmost Tenacity
Part Two: Delighted with This Entire Show
9 All Together Again
10 A Lion and a Tiger
11 Fierce Rearguard Actions
12 On the Brink
13 Crazy Young Devils
14 Minor Skirmishes
Part Three: Breakouts
15 Long Way Out Front
16 On to Groningen
17 Waited So Long
18 Piece of Cake
19 Jerry Is Running
Part Four: Risky Business
20 A Stern Atonement
21 Large-Scale Street Fighting
22 Operation Cleanser
23 Sound Tactical Plans
24 Crossroad Ambushes
25 Bitterest Battle
26 Thank You, Canadians
Epilogue: The Liberation Campaign in Memory
Appendix A: Principal Politicians, Commanders, and Units
in Liberation Campaign
Appendix B: The Canadian Army in the Liberation
Campaign (Combat Units Only)
Appendix C: Canadian Infantry Battalion (Typical Organization)
Appendix D: Canadian and German Army Order of Ranks (Lowest to Highest)
Appendix E: Army Decorations
Notes
Bibliography
General Index
Index of Formations, Units, and Corps
About the Author