Members of the local resistance had managed to save the bridge named "The Iron Bridge" from destruction. In the wide surroundings it was the only bridge over the Stadskanaal that was still intact. A reconnaissance unit of the First Polish Armored Division took advantage of this opportunity. On April 11, a Polish patrol moved toward Stadskanaal. Advancing slowly and leaving a gun and crew at strategic points, the Poles reached villa 'Ter Marse' and the adjacent water tower that day. There they moved into position and spent the night.

Meanwhile, a long procession of trucks full of German soldiers and even more cycling and walking soldiers left Stadskanaal. About this a special story goes around: "After five years of occupation we see them fleeing from Canadian and Polish troops. What happens very unexpectedly? A German officer gets off his bicycle during his flight and gives 10 guilders to an onlooker asking if that could be given to the bookstore, because he had not had time to return his borrowed book. So there were Germans like that!"

By the way, there was plenty of speculation beforehand about the nationality of the liberators. Because of Radio Oranje, people knew approximately who the liberators could be. But the fact that the northern Netherlands was liberated by Belgians, French Canadians and Poles was not expected.