Amsterdam for Canadian soldiers – Canadian field Survey Company, 1945

Amsterdam street plan for First Canadian Army soldiers on continental leave, 1945
Amsterdam for Canadian soldiers - Canadian field Survey Company, 1945 - Image 2
Amsterdam street plan for First Canadian Army soldiers on continental leave, 1945
Amsterdam for Canadian soldiers - Canadian field Survey Company, 1945 - Image 2

AMSTERDAM FOR CANADIAN SOLDIERS, 1945

“Amsterdam. Street Plan”, colour offset print produced in 1945 by the Canadian Field (Reproduction) Survey Company of the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers. Size (sheet): 45 × 45 cm.

This information leaflet was distributed in the summer of 1945 to servicemen of the First Canadian Army spending their continental leave in Amsterdam. After the German surrender, large numbers of Canadian servicemen remained in the Netherlands awaiting repatriation. The months following the liberation would later become known as the “Canadian Summer”.

During a short period of leave they could visit Amsterdam, where special reception centres, accommodation and recreational facilities had been arranged for them. The reverse provides a list headed “Where to go in Amsterdam”. Under “hotels”, officers were directed to the Amstel and Krasnapolsky, while ordinary soldiers had to make do with dormitories in Brack’s Doelen Hotel and various schools. Under “clubs”, officers could go for dine and dance at the Lido, or visit the Officers’ Club on Dam Square. Meals could be had at Heck’s on Rembrandtplein or at “Sally Ann” (the servicemen’s nickname for the Salvation Army) in Hotel Astoria on Vijzelstraat.

Rather patronisingly, the reverse of the map advises:

“Amsterdam, ‘The Venice of the North’ is a fine modern city with which is blended a touch of sixteenth and seventeenth century architecture. There is much to see of historical and cultural interest in and around the city. All arrangements are made for your comfort and pleasure. Many people are anxious to make your stay a pleasant one. Select your friends carefully so that you may take home to Canada with you happy memories of your leave in Amsterdam.”

As if men who had just won a war were likely to spend their leave making cultural excursions to admire sixteenth- and seventeenth-century architecture. They probably spent rather more time in the pubs and other places of entertainment around Amsterdam’s red-light district (which, naturally, are not marked on the map), than taking a sightseeing cruise along the canals.

Price: SOLD