Liberation of Groningen - The Matrix Games version of West Front

Three Canadian divisions advanced to the northern part of the Netherlands. The 2nd inf. division captured Assen on the 13th of April without fighting and moved forward to the largest city in this region, Groningen. The city, with its waters surrounding it, had possibilities for a strong defense. At this time during the war many Germans' only concern was how to survive it. In the city's centre however still some highly motivated SS units had taken defensive machine gun positions in the houses and they did not intend to give them up easily. Engineers were directed to several bridges to reduce the number of bridges available for an enemy attack on the city. Trenches had been dug south east of Groningen, they were not finished yet but useable. The Germans had no heavy weapons in the city, but plenty of Flak AA guns, which were also effective against troops. The Canadian forces were optimistic due to their successes of the past weeks. They advanced on the city from the south. They were supported by tanks and some 25 pounder field guns. They knew that when Groningen had been seized, the war in the northern Netherlands would soon be ended.