Bevrijding van Noord-Groningen

The ‘Royal Canadian Dragoons’ entered the province of Groningen via Zoutkamp on 15 April 1945 . They advanced through Ulrum, Leens, and Eenrum (16 April), and came via Saaxumhuizen to Den Andel. They did not take the main road, but went through the Groene Laan (Green Lane) along a clay road to the driveway of the farm belonging to L.R. Bentema. The heavy Sherman tanks damaged the clay road so badly that the ditches were filled in. They halted on the driveway and from there the tanks fired in the direction of Warffum. It was likely assumed that German soldiers were in the Breedenburg (large house). It is known that many Germans were trapped there and could not escape, whilst many senior officers had hastily left the city of Groningen.

After this, the Canadian forces first withdrew again toward Eenrum/Leens, because the supply line for food and ammunition was too long. Many people believed they had already been liberated: people in hiding returned home, and others ventured out onto the streets. A car arrived from Warffum with members of the resistance and loaded with ammunition. However, near Breede, just past the driveway of the Breedenborg, the car ran into an ambush by a group of German soldiers who had hidden along the “zwarte weggetje” (“little black road”) a bit further on. The car ended up in the ditch, and the occupants fled in all directions, apparently afraid that the ammunition would explode. A German vehicle followed and, all the while firing, drove from Breede to Baflo, with bullets flying across the fields.

When the Canadian forces returned, Baflo was liberated on 18 April and on 19 April they met up with the group from the Second Division in Winsum, which had advanced from Adorp (17 April) and Sauwerd to Winsum. In Winsum, due to heavy fighting, the “De Boog” bridge had been destroyed, requiring an approach from two sides. Another group advanced via Zuidwolde (17 April), Bedum, Onderdendam (20 April) to Middelstum, Kantens, and Usquert (20 April). After that, progress was swift. They moved via Warffum to Usquert and also liberated Uithuizen, Uithuizermeeden, and Roodeschool on 20 April. In this area, little or nothing happened during the liberation. An eyewitness recounted: “I saw some Jerries running across the meadow, rifles in hand. But they weren’t running toward the Canadians. They could run very fast.” Delfzijl fell after heavy fighting on 2 May from 07:00, during which many Canadian soldiers fell.