During the night of 8 to 9 April 1945, the Canadian Scottish regiment had made the most progress compared to their Canadian counterparts, the Winnipeg Rifles and Regina Rifles, who were unable to cross the canal. Recognising the opportunity, the Canadian Scottish were tasked with leading the charge.

At dawn on 9 April, the offensive began from Colmschate, a city district of Deventer. Advancing along the Colmschaterweg road, the companies targeted the northern sector known locally as the ‘Vijfhoek’. Their mission was to reach the Oerdijk (dike) and secure the Cröddenbrug, a strategically vital floating bridge.

Supported by tanks of the Canadian Sherbrooke Squadron equipped with flamethrowers, the Canadian forces steadily advanced despite heavy resistance. By evening, they reached the Cröddenbrug, which the German forces had partially sabotaged. Despite the damage, the Canadian troops managed to cross the bridge on foot and established a foothold in the wooded area north of the Oerdijk. The engineers quickly began constructing a Bailey Bridge to support the advance of heavier equipment.

The German response was fierce, with mortar fire raining down on the Canadian positions and surrounding areas. Local residents were caught in the crossfire, experiencing terrifying explosions that caused significant damage to homes and farms. Many of these buildings were later rebuilt, their distinctive post-war architecture serving as a reminder of the conflict.

Despite the intense German resistance, the Canadian Scottish regiment managed to secure the area around the Cröddenbrug within 90 minutes. This swift success allowed reinforcements to arrive and protected the engineers working on the Bailey bridge. The completion of this bridge was critical in enabling the transport of tanks, Bren Carrier (a light tracked vehicle), and other heavy equipment necessary for the next phase of the operation.

On the night of 9  to 10 April , Brigadier General Gibson issued orders for the attack on the village of Schalkhaar, an important step in the advance towards Deventer.