Personnel of the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars in their Humber Mk. IV armoured car in Normandy, 18-20 July 1944 

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Leading the advance were the armoured cars and carriers of the 7th Reconnaissance Regiment, also known as the 17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars. These troops had earned a reputation as the “eyes of the division.” Their mission: to scout ahead of the main force, often taking great risks to locate the enemy and secure critical points before infantry moved in.&nbsp;That morning, under cloudy skies and the ever-present threat of German resistance, Troop 1 of ‘A’ Squadron raced down the highway toward the bridge at Nieuweschans. Their orders were to capture the bridge before the Germans could destroy it. As they reached the structure, all senses were on high alert, expecting ambushes or explosives. But luck was on their side: the bridge was intact, and the surrounding area appeared quiet. Still, the Canadians took no chances. About 35 soldiers, backed by three machine guns, mortars, and an anti-tank rifle, quickly dug in around the bridge. They waited in tense silence for a counterattack that, thankfully, did not come.&nbsp;Elsewhere, things were more dangerous. Another squadron moved south of Nieuweschans to find a different way across the canal and into Germany. When they encountered a German roadblock near the town of Bunde, fighting broke out. Two armoured cars and two scout cars were hit, and Canadian troops were pinned down by small arms and bazooka fire.&nbsp;During this chaos, Corporal Dawson bravely drove his vehicle forward, using its Bren gun to draw enemy fire away from his comrades. His sacrifice allowed the rest of his troop to withdraw, though he and several others were killed in the process. Dawson’s actions helped prevent greater losses and demonstrated the courage that defined these final battles.&nbsp;To support the reconnaissance troops, Canadian tanks were moved into the area. Artillery units and infantry from the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, Le Régiment de la Chaudière, and the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment also advanced toward Nieuweschans and nearby German-held towns like Bunde and Weener. German forces had not given up. Self-propelled guns opened fire from across the canal, and enemy troops continued to resist from well-prepared positions along dikes and railway lines. But the Canadian advance pressed on.&nbsp;By April 23, Canadian infantry had reached the edge of Nieuweschans. The town’s roads were mined, and pockets of German resistance remained. But by mid-morning, the Canadians had fought their way in. The battle had been won, and the border was now in Allied hands. The capture of Nieuweschans was more than just a tactical victory. It was symbolic, the moment when Canadian troops crossed into Germany after months of hard fighting across France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. For many soldiers, it marked the beginning of the end.&nbsp;

De strijd om Nieuweschans: Een Canadese aanval op de grens

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