Faces of Liberation: The Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9048565847 ISBN 13: 9789048565849

Publisher: Amsterdam University Press, 2025

Synopsis

Dutch edition: Gezichten van de Bevrijding
- Nederlandse versie: Gezichten van de Bevrijding.

The Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek is the final resting place of 2,618 soldiers from Canada and the British Commonwealth. Many of them were killed during the liberation of Europe in the final months of the Second World War. In addition, the impressive Groesbeek Memorial bears the engraved names of 1,011 soldiers who have been missing since the crossing of the Seine in August 1944.

This richly illustrated book brings their stories to life. Who were these young men who gave their lives for freedom, democracy and peace? 'Faces of Liberation' is not only a historical document, but also a living tribute to the deep transatlantic ties between the Netherlands and Canada. Thanks to the efforts of Dutch volunteers, who maintain contact with Canadian relatives, the memories of these fallen servicemen live on.

With special attention to the Canadian contribution to the liberation of the Netherlands, the role of First Nations soldiers, and the way in which this history is commemorated in both countries, Faces of Liberation offers a novel perspective on the legacy of war and how it is remembered. The extensive lists of names of the fallen and missing also makes it not only a unique reference work but also a powerful reminder of our enduring duty to remember.

About this title

About the Author

Prof. Frank Mehring, Radboud University Nijmegen, has published extensively on Liberation Songs and performed concerts in collaboration with school choirs using music as a key to learn about the past across different nations. He has produced documentary programs on liberation songs for the Canadian Tulips Festival. They are part of the commemoration ceremonies and available online: https://tulipfestival.ca/songs-of-liberation/

Jaap Verheul is Associate Professor of Cultural History at Utrecht University and Professor of Transatlantic Relations at Radboud University Nijmegen.

From the Back Cover

The Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek is the final resting place of 2,618 soldiers fromCanada and the British Commonwealth. Many of them were killed during the liberationof Europe in the final months of the Second World War. In addition, the impressiveGroesbeek Memorial bears the engraved names of 1,011 soldiers who have been missingsince the crossing of the Seine in August 1944.This richly illustrated book brings their stories to life. Who were these young men whogave their lives for freedom, democracy and peace? Faces of Liberation is not only ahistorical document, but also a living tribute to the deep transatlantic ties betweenthe Netherlands and Canada. Thanks to the efforts of Dutch volunteers, who maintaincontact with Canadian relatives, the memories of these fallen servicemen live on.With special attention to the Canadian contribution to the liberation of the Netherlands,the role of First Nations soldiers, and the way in which this history is commemorated inboth countries, Faces of Liberation offers a novel perspective on the legacy of war andhow it is remembered. The extensive lists of names of the fallen and missing also makesit not only a unique reference work but also a powerful reminder of our enduring dutyto remember.Also available in Dutch as Gezichten van de Bevrijding: ISBN 9789464564891

Edition details

• Publisher: Amsterdam University Press
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9048565847
• ISBN 13: 9789048565849
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320
• Editor: Mehring Frank, Verheul Jaap