​​The Belgian coastal city of Nieuwpoort was liberated between 6 and 9 September 1944. The C Squadron of the 12th Manitoba Dragoons, an armoured unit of the Canadian Army arrived in Nieuwpoort on 6 September 1944. However, they came under fire from German coastal batteries from Groenendijk, near De Panne, and withdrew to their headquarters in Pervijze.

​German forces reoccupied the city and the bridges were destroyed by artillery fire. In one incident, three Canadian soldiers lost their lives when a grenade hit Lieutenant McLeary's Daimler (armoured vehicle). The C Squadron was then relieved by Lieutenant-Colonel Roberts.

​The South Saskatchewan Regiment, with the support of the Essex Scottish Regiment, both infantry regiments of the Canadian Forces, finally captured the city and Nieuwpoort which was thus liberated a second time. 

​This Canadian maple tree was planted on 1 September 1984, near the King Albert I monument, as a tribute to the Canadian units that liberated Nieuwpoort.​