#Story
Liberation of Gorssel
In the first week of April 1945, Gorssel suddenly became the scene of battles surrounding its liberation. The Germans were expecting an attack from the west, but the Canadians advanced unexpectedly from the southeast, shifting the front line to Gorssel.
The Spitholter bridge in Almen turned out to be intact, which played into the Allies' hands. They constructed a bridge over the Twente Canal, and on April 6, tanks and Bren Carriers rolled into the village.Mayor Thate gave a speech on the steps of the town hall. Liberation arches were erected, and the cultural association Kunstmin performed a serenade. However, the celebration with music and dancing in front of The Roskam was postponed for a week, as the Canadian army prepared to launch an attack on the west side of the River IJssel. In the meantime, an emergency hospital was set up in Den Oldenhof.
Liberation also brought chaos. The NSB mayor disappeared, the Internal Armed Forces proved to be poorly organized, telephones had to be repaired, and people in hiding were assisted. The municipal government faced the enormous task of rebuilding and restoring the infrastructure.