Memorial Canadian Fallen Battle of Delfzijl-Pocket

The battle of Delfzijl Pocket started on April 21 1945 with a Canadian attack on the village of Wagenborgen, south of Delfzijl. It was a very fierce fight that had to be done to liberate this whole area. The Canadians arrived in the early morning of April 21 at the Stolderijweg (road from Siddeburen to Wagenborgen) and could not advance anymore and they became then very hopeless therefore. The Germane resistance was much heavier than they expected. One group of the Canadians was even cut off and had to surrender themselves to the Germans. There was yet a big drama at the farm the Stolderij. The farm of Geert Smit, in which wounded soldiers were cared for was hit by German artillery fire out off the direction of Delfzijl and was burned down. Just one wounded soldier and a member of the Dutch domestic forces could avoid the fire sea. There were 19 Canadians killed during this attack and also three officers under which the company commander. There also were some civilian victims and the material damage was enormous.
Wagenborgen was liberated on April 24 1945 after two days of very heavy fights with tanks, carriers and mortars and 27 Canadians lost their lives and many wounded soldiers.
Wagenborgen has still a very strong relationship with the Canadian Scottish Regiment.

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