How One Canadian Soldier Liberated an Entire City Alone - Léo Major's Impossible Mission 1945

On April 13, 1945, a single Canadian soldier entered the Dutch town of Zwolle on a reconnaissance mission. By dawn, he had single-handedly liberated the entire city of 50,000 people. His name was Léo Major, and this wasn't even his most impressive feat

Major was born in 1921 to French-Canadian parents. He enlisted in 1940 and joined Le Régiment de la Chaudière. He landed on Juno Beach on D-Day and fought through the Normandy campaign. In July 1944, he and a companion attacked a German half-track, killed or captured the crew, and brought it back to Canadian lines. He was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal—but REFUSED it because Montgomery would present it. Major hated Montgomery and wouldn't accept recognition from him 😤

In October 1944 during the Battle of the Scheldt, a German phosphorous grenade exploded near Major's face, severely damaging his left eye. Medical officers wanted to evacuate him to England. Major REFUSED. He argued he still had one good eye, and one eye was all he needed to aim a rifle. He wore an eye patch and kept fighting 👁️

His combat style was unconventional—he preferred operating at night, often alone or with one companion. He carried more weapons than regulation allowed. He used surprise, speed, and audacity. German soldiers conditioned to expect organized unit attacks were confused by a single soldier attacking aggressively from unexpected directions.

On April 13, 1945, Canadian forces were preparing to attack Zwolle. Major volunteered for reconnaissance but had a different plan: liberate the city HIMSELF to spare it from battle damage. He entered with Corporal Willie Arsenault. Almost immediately, Arsenault was killed by German fire. Major was now completely alone in a city with hundreds of German soldiers 💀

Most soldiers would abort and retreat. Major continued. Over the next several hours, he conducted one of the most extraordinary solo combat actions in history. He attacked German positions with grenades and automatic fire, then displaced and attacked from different directions. He shouted orders in French to imaginary troops, creating the illusion of a multi-unit assault.

He attacked the Gestapo headquarters, killed several agents, forced survivors to flee. Throughout the night, he encountered German soldiers individually and in groups—he ordered them to surrender, disarmed them, and sent them walking toward Canadian lines. Major claimed he captured 93 German soldiers that night. Streams of disarmed Germans appeared at Canadian lines, all claiming they'd been captured by "a single crazy Canadian with one eye" 🔫

As dawn approached, the German commander believed he faced a major Canadian assault and ordered evacuation. By morning, German forces had fled Zwolle. The city was free. When Canadian forces entered expecting to fight, they found it already liberated. Dutch civilians filled streets celebrating. Major had spared their city from destruction.

For this, Major accepted the Distinguished Conduct Medal (presented by Canadian officers, not Montgomery). When the Korean War began in 1950, Major rejoined. At the Battle of Hill 355 in November 1951, he led a counterattack against Chinese forces and helped hold the hill. He received ANOTHER Distinguished Conduct Medal—becoming one of only 3 Canadians to receive the DCM TWICE 🎖️🎖️

Major passed away in 2008 at age 87. A street in Zwolle is named after him. Dutch children learn about the Canadian soldier who freed their city alone. The Dutch never forgot.

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