#Story

Liberation of Almelo Began at De Riet Station

The liberation of Almelo took place on April 4 and 5, 1945. The De Riet train station played a crucial role, as it was here that Canadian troops entered Almelo from Delden.

On April 4, 1945, the first tanks of the Canadian Lake Superior Regiment entered Almelo via De Riet. The rail bridge on the Hengelo–Almelo railway line had remained intact and was therefore used by the liberators as an entry route. Other bridges on the southern access roads, such as the Weezebeek Bridge on Bornerbroeksestraat, had been destroyed by the German occupiers in an attempt to halt the advance.

The tanks, under the command of Lieutenant Dawson, split up from this point to liberate the rest of Almelo. The southern and eastern parts were freed first, after which Canadian troops (both tanks and infantry) advanced toward the city center. There, they encountered strong resistance, but by late afternoon they managed to liberate the center as well. In part thanks to flamethrower carriers, German soldiers were driven out of De Waag building. The following day, the entire city was free.

On June 5, 1969, a plaque was unveiled at the station to commemorate the liberation of Almelo.

Rietstraat 7606 BT Almelo

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