As the Canadian forces moved forward coming from the South they 'swiped' the Germans gradually up to the North (this in a nutshell as the battle was pretty complicated)
The farm of my grandparents got at a certain point within reach of the Canadian artillery and most of the grenades flew over the house..... most.. Some came in a bit low and they hit the trees standing around the farm. That's the damage you see on the roof of the main shed.
Luckely -or they where good marksman- none did a direct hit.
One story my dad (who was my mums boyfriend and stayed a lot at the farm to keep out of sight of the Germans ) told me was that they had dug a large trench behind the large barn, thinking that if there was a hit they would be safe with that large barn behind them.
Well not so, the trees that where hit came down on them! so they had to move somewhere else. All got out safe in the end. and I am one of the products haha.:smiley:
First picture: in the background you can see some of those trees, they used to be much higher!
About the dispatch rider, I contacted the information forces.gc.ca in Canada to see if I can find out who he was. Yes Rik I too think the rider is a colored man, perhaps that is a clue in finding out. There could still be some relatives.
Ron, a very wise choice with all those grenades coming in from behind him !
getting of topic now.. same spot a few years later, my mum and dad on -possibly- a small Motobecane.
Just went there to make a then and now photo.
The owners of the house did give some strange looks, but i took the photo anyway.
Unfortunately i do not own a norton wd16h but i think the BSA will do for the photo
email (option): bsawm20@hotmail.com
Nice one Nick, thanks for taking the time to do this !!
and another picture, my dad on a G3L while he was in the Prinses Irene Brigade, late '44 or early '45 near Bergen op Zoom . (note wooden shoes)
his emblems
maintenance shop Irene Brigade 'De trein' Nieuw Borgvliet near Bergen op Zoom. 2nd from left dad, 1st from right his brother Jan.
