This
year (2015) is one for significant anniversaries, the 27th October 2014,
will be the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Dutch city of 'S-Hertogenbosch.
As part of the commemorations, 146 children were invited to attend the pre-World
Cup Netherlands v Wales football friendly – a figure matching the number of Welsh
solders (146) who died liberating the city.
Later this month the Welsh
contribution to the war effort and the liberation of Europe will be recognised in
Cardiff, on Armed Forces Day. The Welsh soldiers who died in the battle were
part of the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division which spent four days in October
1944 struggling to free the city in southern Netherlands. Amongst them were members
of three battalions of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, soldiers from the Welch
Regiment, and the Monmouthshire Regiment.
The Dutch city and surrounding area (known
locally as Den Bosch) saw allied forces free the city on 27 October, 1944 after
fierce fighting. Ever since then, the link between Wales and the city has been
marked annually by the October 1944 Foundation. Ahead of this year's
anniversary, the Royal Netherlands Football Association and the Football
Association of Wales (FAW), invited local youngsters from the city to
Amsterdam to mark the occasion.
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