Princess Margriet of the Netherlands unveiled the Surrender at Wageningen Plaque on May 14, 2017, and signed a scroll of gratitude expressed for the Canadian sacrifice in the Liberation of the Netherlands.
On 4 May 1945, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery accepted the official surrender of the German Army in North-West Europe at his headquarters. Then, on 5 May 1945, Lieutenant-General Charles Foulkes, Commander of the First Canadian Army, drew up a separate surrender document and summoned German General Blaskowitz to the Hotel de Wereld in Wageningen to sign it.
Initially, Blaskowitz sent his chief of staff, Lieutenant-General Reichelt, but he was told Blaskowitz had to come himself. At four o'clock that afternoon, Blaskowitz came to the hotel. Prince Bernhard, acting as commander-in-chief of the Dutch Interior Forces was present, along with a large number of reporters and cameramen.
A detailed document of surrender was presented to Blaskowitz who asked for 24 hours to sign the document to asses if he could meet all of the demands. Blaskowitz returned the next day and signed the official surrender of all German Forces in the Netherlands. After five years of occupation the country was free. Wageningen calls itself ‘City of Liberation’ and every year on May 4/5, the city commemorates the Second World War and celebrates freedom.
