Remembering Liberation of Belgium

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Soldiers commemorate WWII liberation of Belgium
Updated Sat. Sep. 8 2007 1:08 PM ET

Canadian Press

BRUGGE, Belgium -- Thirteen members of the Canadian army and air force took a march back in time Saturday, retracing the steps of Second World War soldiers who liberated Belgium from Nazi occupation.

The march, led by Lt.-Col. Don Denne, a veteran of Afghanistan, went over 32 kilometres between Bruges and Maldegam.

The day-long trek was made in combat fatigues and the Canadians were accompanied by some of their spouses, Belgian para-commandos and civilians.

It was meant to recognize the deaths of 800 Canadian soldiers who died during September and October 1944 in battles that are fading from the collective memory.

"We're trying to keep alive the memory of Canadian sacrifices of over 60 years ago,'' Denne said in an interview prior to the march.

"The folks here seem to want to remember, they seem to want to thank (Canadians).''

The memory of Allied sacrifices is never far from view in northwestern Europe, where the neatly tended graveyards of soldiers are an ever-present reminder of two long, bitter wars.

But in Canada, where military history is rarely part of provincial education curriculums, the memory is growing more obscure with each year.

Denne, who served as the commanding officer of the first Royal Canadian Regiment battle group deployed to Kabul a few years ago, says the country's experience in Afghanistan seems to have reawakened Canadians' interest in forgotten battles.

In the fall of 1944, the 1st Canadian Army _ often described by historians as the Cinderella Army because it was given all of the dirty jobs and little glory _ was driving hard to clear French and Belgian ports along the English Channel.

Vast swaths of the boggy lowlands of Flanders, including the cities of Furnes, La Panne, Nieuport, Ostend, Knocke-Heist, Bruges and Eecloo, were liberated by Canadians.

Opening up the area, including the port of Antwerp, the second largest in Europe, was considered vital as the Allies drove the Germans back across their borders.

Recently a French researcher and historian, Olivier Richard, visited Canadian veterans who liberated the Normandy town of Dieppe. He's written a book about the ill-fated Aug. 19, 1942, raid that cost 913 Canadian lives, and is chronicling a forgotten, bloody battle involving the 2nd Canadian Division at Rouen in August 1944.

"Europeans have never forgotten what Canadians have done here in the past,'' said Brig.-Gen. James Selbie, a senior Canadian officer at NATO's planning headquarters in nearby Mons.

"They have an appreciation for our military traditions, which perhaps is even more extensive than people back home.''

Master Warrant Officer Norm Rooker, who's also stationed at the nearby NATO base, says each of the members taking part built up the calluses on their feet by taking long hikes prior to Saturday's march.

"This area of Europe is so pro-Canadian,'' he said. "It's neat to see all of the flags flying from homes.''