As the Dutch population were starving at the end of the Second World War, Canadian soldiers were able to negotiate with the enemy to create the first humanitarian corridor to bring in food, water and medical supplies.
A documentary titled Op Faust: Hunger Winter '45 features the voices and newsreels from the Dutch Famine of 1945. The film premieres at Richmond's River Rock Casino on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
The film is made by Alison MacLean, one of the first few civilian combat camerawomen in Canada to be on the front lines documenting war zones.
Op Faust: Hunger Winter '45 highlights the Canadian army's humanitarian operation to save the Dutch people from starvation by driving thousands of pounds of food and medical supplies per day, for 10 days, across German lines, explained MacLean.
In the spring of 1945, the occupied Dutch people in Northern Netherlands were starving in what was known as the Hunger Winter.
Many of their resupply operations were stopped by German occupiers until Canadian soldiers were able to negotiate with the Germans to create the corridor and get supplies through.
MacLean said "Operation Faust" was the "first-ever humanitarian aid corridor negotiated and led by the Canadian military."
She told the Richmond News she wanted to focus on how everyone worked together to fight the Hunger Winter.
"Both American and British (soldiers) came on board and worked with the Canadians," said MacLean.
The documentary was four years in the making and includes archival newsreels, child witness statements and troop comments.
She highlighted it is important to show youth the importance of national and international humanitarian efforts.
"In this day and age, we are having more attacks on democracy than in many previous years, and it is our youth of today who are going to be the ones to have to stand firm and fight for our democracy," said MacLean.
"Op Faust really represents light coming into the darkness and we need our youth to understand that sometimes forces are needed, such as military intervention. Sometimes the military can be used as a force of good and that's where the humanitarian aid portion comes into the equation.
"I feel our new generation now, they're quite balanced in understanding cause and effect in a way that possibly previous generations did not."
When asked why Richmond was chosen as the city for the premiere of the documentary, MacLean said it was because the 39 Service Battalion was based in the city where there "is already a great deal of support for Canada's military."
"I'm very grateful to Richmond as a city because they've always been there to step up and to help."
MacLean said Alexa Loo, a member of the Guild of Wagoneers and Artificers and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel for the 39th Service Battalion in Richmond, greatly helped to organize the location of the film premiere.
The Guild of Wagoneers and Artificers is a charitable organization that raises funds to support Canadian soldiers and their families through educational support.
Loo, who is also a Richmond city councillor, said the documentary presentation night will also include visual presentations, a museum of items on display, refreshments and a question-and-answer period after the showing.
The Dutch Consul General will also be at the showing, she added.
"I'd like to say that Canadian humanitarian efforts have been successful and strong for a long period of time, and this is one of the major ones that we can be proud of," said Loo.
"We can be proud of and remember the courage it took to organize this (Operation Faust) in the first place and do the right thing and look after people.
"I think sometimes it's forgotten ... when it's war and the 'us against them mindset' that it's the humanity behind our efforts (that) is the most important thing."
Op Faust: Hunger Winter '45 will be shown at Richmond's River Rock Casino on Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Entrance is by donation with a suggested $20 for each ticket. Donations of $50 or more are eligible for a CRA tax receipt.
Tickets can be purchased online here or at the door.
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