Framework of the 1945 Campaign

The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division in the Advance into Germany

In the final days, hard fighting continued as Canadian forces closed in on Delfzjil, the last port on the north coast of the Netherlands from which the cut-off German forces could escape. The Division was then assigned the task of advancing on and capturing the port of Emden in Germany proper.

(Photo Credit: National Archives of Canada, PA-192263)

This advance opened on 28 April, as the Division made an assault crossing of the Ems River and fought its way into the port of Leer. By 30 April, the area had been cleared by the Division, and on May 1 orders were issued for the final advance on Emden. It was now evident that the end of the war was near. At dawn on May 4, German units launched a desperate counter-attack against some of the forward Canadian companies, but a storm of fire from artillery, mortars and machine-guns cut the to pieces.

The next day, a curt but dramatic message was sent out from 3rd Division Headquarters: "CEASE ALL OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS FORTHWITH. CEASE FIRE 0800 HOURS, 5TH MAY. REMAIN PRESENT AREA."

During this period, men of the 3rd Division were awarded 19 gallantry decorations for courage in battle.