The flooded, muddy terrain and the tenacity of the well-fortified German defences made the Battle of the Scheldt especially gruelling and bloody.

The strength of this army ranged from approximately 105,000 to 175,000 Canadian soldiers to anywhere from 200,000 to over 450,000 when including the soldiers from other nations. The First Canadian Army in northwestern Europe during the final phases of the war was a powerful force, the largest army that had ever been under the control of a Canadian general. In addition to the 2nd Canadian Corps (which included the 2nd and 3rd Canadian Infantry Divisions and the 4th Canadian Armoured Division), the 1st British Corps, and the 1st Polish Armoured Division, at various times American, Belgian, and Dutch soldiers were also included as units. Under the command of General Henry Duncan Graham (Harry) Crerar, the First Canadian Army was international in character. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-137188 The First Canadian Army and the Scheldt Vehicles of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division moving through Bockhoute, Belgium.

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