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Operation Blockbuster
Part of theWestern Allied invasion of Germany in theWestern Front of theEuropean theatre of World War II
Operation Blockbuster (yellow)
Date 26 February – 3 March 1945 Location Lower Rhine regionGermany Result Allied victory
Belligerents
Canada United Kingdom	Germany
Commanders and leaders
Harry Crerar Brian Horrocks	Alfred Schlemm

Operation Blockbuster was the completion of the largerOperation Veritable by theFirst Canadian Army, reinforced by theXXX Corps from the BritishSecond Army from late February to early March, 1945. Veritable had been slower and more costly than expected and the Canadian commander, GeneralHarry Crerar, had decided on a fresh start for the operation. Three British and Canadian divisions advanced south-eastwards, capturing unprepared German positions in theHochwald forested ridge [de], before advancing onXanten. They linked up with theNinth US Army at Berendonk, nearGeldern on 3 March.

Attached to the10th Canadian Infantry Brigade,4th Canadian (Armoured) Division, the Canadian infantry and armouredregiments to earn battle honours for actions during Operation Blockbuster, emblazoned on their regimental colours asThe Hochwald, include:

• Algonquin Regiment
• Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada
• Lake Superior Regiment (Motor)
• Lincoln and Welland Regiment
• Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment
• South Alberta Regiment
• Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders
• The South Saskatchewan Regiment
• British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)

The Battle of the Hochwald Gap was the topic of episode 5 of season 1 of the documentary seriesGreatest Tank Battles. Veterans on both sides gave testimonies on the violence of the campaign. The Canadians in particular spoke of the tenacity of German soldiers in the Rhineland, while former German soldiers gave testimonies on their own experiences with the Canadians.^{[citation needed]}

• Canada in World War II

• Ellis, Major L. F. & with Warhurst, Lieutenant-Colonel A. E. (2004) [1st. pub.HMSO 1968].Butler, J. R. M. (ed.).Victory in the West: The Defeat of Germany. History of the Second World War United Kingdom Military Series. Vol. II. Naval & Military Press.ISBN 978-1-84574-059-7.
• The Dukes, D.E. Harker p179-181.

Wikimedia Commons has media related toOperation Blockbuster.

• "The Hochwald Gap" at Canadianheroes.org
• Official history of the Canadian Army (Chapter XIX):The Battle of the Rhineland. Part II: Operation "BLOCKBUSTER"

• February 1945 in Europe
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• Western Allied invasion of Germany
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