November 1th and 2nd 1944, nearly 68 years ago, after 5 years of hardship and occupation our region was liberated. During the recapture of the Belgian East-Coast, Zeeland, the Isle of Walcheren and Zuid-Beveland, also known as Operation Switchback, aprox. 1000 Canadian soldiers were killed, most of them with an average age  between  18 and 25 years.

In 2008 the For Freedom Museum started an action ” a 1000 Maple-Leaf flags for a 1000 fallen Canadian Soldiers “. The goal was to decorate the town with a 1000 Meaple leaf flags with the support of all the citizens of Knokke-Heist. This as a symbol of our gratitude and to honour  those who sacrified  their lives for  our freedom.

Count Léopold Lippens, Mayor of Knokke-Heist (right) and First Alderman Maxim Willems (left) supported the action from the start. During the Liberation Celebrations  november 2011, Knokke-Heist was transformed into Maple Leaf-City. More than a 1000 canadian flags hung from the balconies of houses and apartments. The target had been reached. No town on the continent of Europe succeeded in paying it’s respect to it’s Canadian liberators more than Knokke-Heist.

“For Our tomorrow they gave their Today”

The For Freedom Museum wins the professor Eric Suy award 2011

The professor Eric Suy foundation was established in 2003. The main goal is to support important small scale initiatives that help cultural tourism in Flanders. The prize, 6000 euro in total, was handed over to the museum on june 11^th 2011.

Prof. Suy

The 2010 liberationmarch and the reception of our Canadian liberators and delegation was a huge succes. See you all at the next edition! Click here for some pictures.

The BAHAAT collection has finally arrived, giving the museum an extra dimension in aviation history.

Flemish soil reveals new secret!  September 23th of 2010 after years of research, prospection and shear determination, a Messerschmitt BF-110 nightfighter was retreived. After the salvage operation and preservation of the parts the remains will be on display at the museum. Read the full story in English here .

The salvage operation was big news and a headliner in the evening news of that special september day. Full footage below (Dutch only, but somethimes pictures say more than words)

12 months after opening allready 10.000 th people had visited the museum. The written press covered it extensively (see article below)

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