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April is not only remembered as the month of Holland's liberation, celebrated as 'the sweetest of springs,' but also as the cruelest month. Even as the war drew to a close, the violence persisted. In Zutphen, young Germans continued to fight with fanaticism, steadfast in their belief in Hitler and Nazism.

In Zutphen, the enemy defenses were formidable, with blown bridges and anti-tank obstacles strategically placed to impede the Canadian advance, leading to a series of challenging battles. Defended by the 361st Infantry Division of the 88th Corps, along with a parachute training battalion, the enemy troops, many of whom were “teen-aged youngsters,” fiercely resisted during the Battle of Zutphen.

Personnel of Le Regiment de la Chaudiere using rubber raft to cross the Berkel. 7 Apr 1945.

The two-pronged advance westward into the town commenced on April 6, 1945. The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment on the right faced fierce opposition and engaged in hand-to-hand combat, while Le Régiment de la Chaudière on the left made significant progress. Consequently, the plan was altered, with the North Shores being repositioned to advance through the ‘Chauds’ right flank. The fighting persisted through April 7, 1945, with infantry units occasionally pinned down by sniper and machine-gun fire. 

On the morning of the 8th, the brigade delivered the decisive blow when they breached the factory area with the assistance of flame-throwing Crocodile tanks. By midday, the historic old town had been entirely cleared, with some defenders managing to escape across the IJssel in rubber boats. Following the liberation of Zutphen, German prisoners were described as ‘young, about sixteen and seventeen years of age… When interviewed they still thought Germany would win and their belief in Hitler and Nazism was still unshaken. The battle for the city of Zutphen claimed the lives of 56 French-Canadian soldiers, with 17 fatalities.

Battlefield Tours offers guided tours for private and mixed groups in Zutphen. We can tailor specific programs for larger groups, schools, and scouting groups. Our walking tours in Zutphen, led by experienced guides, typically last around 2.5 hours.

Battlefield Tour Zutphen

Tour highlights

• IJssel bridge
• Canadian Bridge
• Deventerweg
• Harry Crerar bridge memorial
• Water tower (Warnveldseweg)
• Center of Zutphen
• Canadian memorial Zutphen

Duration
The tours in Zutphen takes a half day. Combination with other tours into a multiple day tour is possible.

Possible tour days
Our private tours can be booked all year round and all week to availability.

Price, bookings and payment
Different prices for a private tour may apply depending on group size. Prices, terms and conditions can be found here. You can easily book the tour via the booking form on this page, or by contacting us directly. By submitting a booking you agree to our terms and conditions. After receipt of you booking request we will verify availability on the tour date(s) requested. If needed we will contact you to discuss details or other options. Presuming a requested tour date is possible we will sent you a confirmation email containing an invoice stating the total amount due and the deposit amount (if applicable) needed to complete your booking. Full payment is due 10 days prior to the start date of the tour.

Transport and pick up location
This is a walking tour. We start the Battlefield Tours from the restaurant Super Snack Rozengracht 3 in Zutphen. If you arrive by plane, you will probably fly to Schiphol, Amsterdam’s airport. The easiest way to get to Zutphen is by train. There is a train from Schiphol to Zutphen, which leaves every hour. You can plan your train trip using the journey planner of the Dutch railways. You should select Schiphol as your departure station and Zutphen as your destination. From the Central Station it only takes you several minutes to walk to the city centre and Rozengracht 3. Overnight accommodation is possible in Zutphen. Book overnight accommodation via this website.

Army Newsreel, about the Battle of Zutphen