The 4th Armoured Division left Pont Rémy in northern France on 6 September 1944 and reached Saint-Omer, located further north towards the French-Belgian border. The distance was around 100km drive in one day. They were followed by the 1st Polish Armoured Division.

A report by the Canadian Manitoba Dragoons on the 8 September, mentioned that the coast was clear up the Bruges. The advance to Bruges however was halted because all the bridges on the Bruges-Ghent Canal had been blown by the German forces.

The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada were ordered to cross the canal by boats to establish a stronghold, covered by the B &C squadrons of the South Alberta Regiment (SARS). German resistance was fierce, so the Canadian Lincoln and Welland Regiment, had to assist to maintain the stronghold.

During the night the Engineers built a Bailey Bridge enabling the SARS to cross the canal with their tanks. The battle lasted until 12 September. At that point, the German forces fled towards the Leopold Canal, however the cost in human lives was very high.

The monument here today remembers this fighting. The monument here today remembers this fighting. The plaque reads: 

‘The South Alberta REgiment (SAT), 29th Cdn Arm’d Recce Reg’t part of 10th Cdn Inf BDE and 4th Cdn Arm’d Div, salutes the Mayor and citizens of Oostkamp/Moerbrugge for their brave and unstinting support od the Liberation Forces during the crossing of the Brugge/Ghent Canal, for their care of Cdn war dead, and the recognition of the liberators by naming streets and erecting a monument to honor those who took part in those tenacious and costly operations. Those actions have developed a great bond with the Canadian Forces that the SAR’s will forever cherish. The Oostkamp/Moerbrugge operations became a WWII battle honor that the SAR’s are very proud to display embroidered on their Regimental Colours.’