Canadian Army Newsreel No.103

103.1 1945 IN REVIEW
Highlights of a historic year for the Canadian Army Overseas: Two men of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders plant their regimental flag on German soil. Northern Italy: 1st Canadian Corps cross the Lamone River towards Ferrara, and move across the Appennine Mountains in winter. The Netherlands: Troops in winter gear fight; the Royal Canadian Engineers blow ice from the bridges; soldiers advance across flooded areas in amphibious areas; artillery fire and tank barrages; flamethrowers; supplies arrive at Antwerp port and are transported by truck towards Nijmegen for the crossing of the Rhine; smoke screens are used in Spring Offensive. Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery presides over the first investitures of Canadians on German soil. Tanks attack positions around the Hochwald Forest; the advance of Canadian troops through Dutch towns. Victoria Cross winner Frederick Albert Tilston; fellow Victoria Cross winners Major Sergeant Aubrey Cosens and Corporal Frederick George Topham are mentioned. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill visits the Canadian troops; 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion and action on the Rhine. The Royal Canadian Engineers build Bailey bridges; a movement of supplies and equipment across the water. Deventer and other Dutch towns are liberated; the Dutch crowds celebrate. The 5th Division at Zuider Zee; a shot of the sign “Stalag VI/C Zweiglagerwesuwe”, the rescue of prisoners of the camp and shots of emaciated corpses on stretchers. Bernard Montgomery and the 21st Army Group meets with Russian generals. May 5, 1945: Germany surrenders; Field Marshal Montgomery chairs a ceremony; Churchill gives the surrender announcement; the Royal Family; celebrations by crowds in London, Holland, Belgium, Ottawa, and Toronto, other Canadian cities and New York City. Supplies arrive to give relief to Europeans; the 3rd Infantry Division takes up its duties at Canadian Occupational Force; supplies arrive to feed starving civilians; Provost Corps examines the luggage of returning German soldiers for booty; German troops turn in their equipment and return home. Arthur Seyss-Inquart, Nazi governor of Holland, General Johannes Blaskowitz, and General Kurt Meyer are arrested; Meyer’s trial. Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King speaks on the CBC after his election victory; Canadian troops march to service in London on Dominion Day; the Royal Family attends a service at Westminster Abbey. Allied troops march in a victory parade through Berlin; Churchill attends the parade; volunteers for the war in the Pacific gather in Nijmegen and return to Canada as other troops participate in a sports day. Celebrations in London, England of the surrender of Japan; Japanese generals surrender; the 6th Division, slated for war service in the East, has its last pass before it is disbanded. General H.D.G. Crerar returns to Canada by ship and is formally welcomed by William Lyon Mackenzie King and his family; Canadian prisoners of war in Hong Kong arrive at the Vancouver port; Khaki University in London is opened by Montgomery; Canadians receive the freedom of the city of Aldershot; Field Marshal Sir Harold Alexander prepares to leave for Canada to become the new Governor-General. Canadian troops return home by train and by sea.