An 8 inch (20.32 cm) by 10 inch (25.4 cm) album dedicated to the liberation of the city of Apeldoorn in the Netherlands, put out on 17th April 1945.
On April 17, 1945, the 48th Highlanders of Canada, alongside other Canadian units, were a large part of the forces that liberated the city of Apeldoorn in the Netherlands. The liberation was a pivotal moment, as the 48th Highlanders suffered casualties during the fighting, including their commanding officer, Lt-Col. Mackenzie, who was killed near Wilp on 12 April when he went forward past Wilp to be in closer contact with his lead companies. The town was damaged by combat, but as a result of their efforts, the Highlanders and their fellow Canadians were met with tremendous jubilation from the liberated Dutch people.
Operation Cannonshot
On April 11 at 4:30 PM, the first buffalo went into the Ijssel, Operation Cannonshot had started. The crossing lasted 7 minutes without receiving enemy fire. After the battalions were transferred, pontoon bridges started to be built. At the same time, a ferry brought the first medium-duty Sherman tanks from the 1st Hussars to support the infantrymen. The infantrymen had already reached their first goal, “De Kribbe” and “De Weerd” farm. At this stage the enemy withdrew. The situation changed at the villages of Klarenbeek and Voorst. The bridgehead in making came under heavy German artillery and mortar fire, which, according to the Canadian reports, resulted in in 17 casualties among the engineers.
It did not take long to build the bridge. At 02:00 on April 12, the bridge and two pontoons were ready. This allowed brigades 1 and 3 and the heavy vehicles to cross the Ijssel. The entire 1st Canadian Infantry Division entering the Wilpse banks was the sign that the liberation of the town of Voorst and Apeldo0rn had started. The 48th Highlanders crossed the Ijssel at Wilp by Buffaloes on 12 April at 1025 hours. The advance to Apeldoorn took two phases, April 12 from Wilp to Twello and April 15 from Twello to the canal fronting Apeldoorn. On the 17th the Highlanders entered Apeldoorn unopposed as the Germans had withdrawn in the night.