McGirr, Bob

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Wilfrid Laurier University

Canadian Military HistoryVolume 14 | Issue 4 Article 94-16-2012The Liberation of Holland: A Photographic RecordBob McGirrThis Feature is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian MilitaryHistory by an authorized administrator of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationMcGirr, Bob (2005) "The Liberation of Holland: A Photographic Record," Canadian Military History: Vol. 14: Iss. 4, Article 9.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol14/iss4/977© Canadian Military History, Volume 14, Number 4, Autumn 2005, pp.77-80.The Liberation of HollandA photographic recordEditor’s note – These photos have been supplied to Canadian Miltiary History by Dr. Bob McGirr, who served as a troop leader and squadron gunnery officer in the 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards, 1st Canadian Infantry Division’s reconnaissance regiment. McGirr obtained these pictures in the Netherlands during the 50th anniversary reunion of the regiment. The photographs were taken by official Dutch government photographers and show a variety of scenes during the Liberation of Holland and the role of Canadian army. Dr. McGirr was born in Winnipeg in 1922 and joined the army after pre-med studies at the University of Manitoba. He was posted to the 4th PLDG in January 1945 and served to the end of the war. He received his medical degree from Queen’s University in 1954 and subsequently practiced in Ontario.Men f rom 10 Troop,  “C” Squadron, 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards (4th PLDG) talk to some high school girls in the Rotterdam suburb of Kralingen. In the background can be seen a Humber armoured car.1McGirr: Liberation of HollandPublished by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 200578Top :  The original Dutch caption for this photo reads, “A young but highly admired Canadian liberator writes his address on a piece of paper for the obligatory postcard he will undoubtably receive from each of these girls.”Middle: Dutch boys in their element during a show of Canadian army equipment in Rotterdam, 10 May 1945.Bottom left: During Operation “Manna,” which took place between 19 April and 7 May 1945, American B-17 Flying Fortresses loaded with food for the occupied population of the Netherlands fly over Rotterdam on their way to the dropping areas outside of the city.Bottom right: The dropping area outside Rotterdam near the town of Terbregge. Note the food containers dropping by parachute in the top left corner of the photo.2Canadian Military History, Vol. 14 [2005], Iss. 4, Art. 9http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol14/iss4/979A Bren carrier of the 4th PLDGs parades through Rotterdam, 9 June 1945. General H.D.G Crerar, commander of First Canadian Army (6th from left) takes the salute.  With him on the viewing stand are Lieutenant-General Charles Foulkes, commander of 1st Canadian Corps (8th from left) and Major-General Harry Foster, commander 1st Canadian Infantry Division (4th from left).  Behind Foster, a former commander of the 4th PLDG, stands his aide-de-camp, Captain Bob McGirr (3rd from left in black beret).A bird’s-eye-view of the centre of Rotterdam after the war in 1945. The debris has been removed and the damage done to the town hall and post office has been repaired. The Church of St. Lawrence remains an empty ruin and the railway station was so damaged that it would be completed levelled and rebuilt. In May 1995 40 veterans from the 4th PLDG celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in the restored Church of St. Lawrence.3McGirr: Liberation of HollandPublished by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 200580The primary focus will be on all periods of Canadian military history - pre-1914, First and Second World Wars, the Korean War and post-1945 developments including peacekeeping.  Proposals for papers advancing new and innovative perspectives will receive first consideration. Papers addressing all facets of military history, including tactics and operations, social and cultural issues, economic impacts, and the home front, from the colonial era to the present day will be considered.  Proposals are welcome from all scholars, but graduate students and recent Ph.Ds are especially encouraged to submit.Please submit a one-page proposal to Mike Bechthold, Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament StudiesWilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, OntarioPhone: 519-884-0710 ext.4594; Fax: 519-886-5057; email: mbechtho@wlu.cawww.canadianmilitaryhistory.com The deadline for proposalsis 24 February 2006.Call for Papers17th Military history ColloquiuMUniversity of Western OntarioLondon, Ontario, CanadaCo-sponsored by The Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies and the Canada Research Chair in Conflict and Culture, Department of History, University of Western Ontario5-6 May 2006The Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, and the Canada Research Chair in Conflict and Culture, Department of History, The University of Western Ontario, invite proposals for papers to be presented at the 17th Military History Colloquium, to be held at the University of Western Ontario on 5-6 May 2006.Top: Queen Wilhelmina pays a visit to Rotterdam on 5 October 1945 to commemorate 20 people executed by the Germans.  Nicknamed the “Iron Lady,” she was tough, outspoken and respected. In October 1945 she ordered General Guy Simonds to take all Canadians out of Holland. Simonds is reputed to have responded, “Including our dead, your Highness?”Right: Bernhard, Prince of the Netherlands (driving), arrives at the town hall in Rotterdam on his birthday, 29 June 1945. Prince Bernhard was very popular with the Canadians. Maybe it was the contrast with his mother, Queen Wilhelmina.4Canadian Military History, Vol. 14 [2005], Iss. 4, Art. 9http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol14/iss4/9

The Liberation of Holland: A Photographic Record

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The Liberation of Holland: A Photographic Record

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