
Operation Blockbuster

Operation Blockbuster was the completion of the larger Operation Veritable by the First Canadian Army, reinforced by the XXX Corps from the British Second Army from late February to early March, 1945. Veritable had been slower and more costly than expected and the Canadian commander, General Harry Crerar, had decided on a fresh start for the operation. Three British and Canadian divisions advanced south-eastwards, capturing unprepared German positions in the , before advancing on Xanten. They linked up with the Ninth US Army at Berendonk, near Geldern on 3 March.
Battle honours.
Attached to the 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division, the Canadian infantry and armoured regiments to earn battle honours for actions during Operation Blockbuster, emblazoned on their regimental colours as The Hochwald, include:
In popular culture.
The Battle of the Hochwald Gap was the topic of an episode of the documentary series "Greatest Tank Battles." Veterans of Canadian armoured units gave testimonies on the violence of the campaign, notably the tenacity of German soldiers in the Rhineland. Former German soldiers gave testimonies on their experiences with Canadians.