Liberation Remembered - 80 Years

Apr 30, 2025

On May 10, 1940 Germany declared war on the Netherlands. May 5, 1945 the Netherlands was liberated.

German forces surrendered to Canadian lieutenant General

Charles Faulkes. 80 yrs ago! Not many liberators are still alive that were there and remember. But, memories have been passed along! I was born in 1955, in Rotterdam.  Rotterdam was bombed on May 14, 1940. The whole inner city was destroyed. As I grew up I watched it being rebuilt. 

Much of Dutch history was learned from books, much more from my surroundings, and firsthand from people.

My grandparents house suffered from the bombing as well.

Sunday dinne, our soup bowls were slanted! Our grandfather told us when the bombs dropped he stood with arms spread wide in an effort to stop the walls from falling ... He showed us the hole in behind the coat rack, now closed in - that had been the entrance to my father's hiding place. A mattress between two walls, sometimes for days! Better than a prison for a young boy!

My mother was the best trip down memory lane. She was history in full colour. She didn't always know how much to tell us because we knew these weren't make belief ... they were real. She herself had been transported in a car with a false bottom, hiding Jews. The under nourished children were being transported to a farm. The car was stopped and checked. We would heave a sigh of relief when they were given the ok to go on. Even in later years my mother did not like candle light. She preferred bright lights and curtains open! The air raids had left their mark.

My favourite story involves my two uncles. They both worked for the underground _ smuggling information, hiding Jews, getting ration coupons for needy families etc

They were caught and spent several years in a concentration camp. One day they were ordered to dig their own graves, to be executed the following day. Early the following day the Canadian army freed them! 

My story is one in a million! Just before we left Holland, we visited a graveyard. It had hundreds of white crosses, it took my breath away. Never will I forget! As the tears slipped down I looked at my Dad and whispered WHY? (even though I knew history) My father answered...so we could be free

I recently spoke with a daughter of a "LIBERATOR" who had shared some memories with her...so you see the memories live on! I checked with family in Holland to see if my memories of Remembrance day and Liberation day are still current...they are...after 80 yrs! Remembrance day is May 4

We fly the flags half mast, walk with lanterns after dark to gather together and pause for moments of silence to remember. We end with our national anthem sung in freedom.  On May 5 we celebrate liberation day, full flags and parades, with joy and hearts filled with thankfulness.

Thank you Canada

Anja Cameron