Private Léo Major of the Régiment de la Chaudière had already lost his left eye to a phosphorous grenade during the D-Day landings. He refused to be evacuated, telling his commanding officer: "I only need one eye to sight a rifle."

On the night of April 13, 1945, Major was sent with a companion to reconnoiter the Dutch city of Zwolle, which was held by German forces. His companion was killed early in the mission. Rather than return for reinforcements, Major decided to liberate the city himself.

One Man's War

Major spent the entire night running through the streets of Zwolle, firing his weapon, throwing grenades, and making as much noise as possible. He would clear a house, then sprint to another part of the city, creating the impression that a large force was attacking from multiple directions.

He captured groups of German soldiers at gunpoint, escorting them to the Canadian lines before returning to continue his one-man assault. At one point he found the local Gestapo headquarters and set it on fire. Throughout the night, the German garrison — numbering in the hundreds — believed they were being attacked by a major Canadian force.

By dawn, the Germans had fled the city. Léo Major walked back to the Canadian lines and reported that Zwolle was clear. The city was liberated without a single civilian casualty.

He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal — his second. He had previously refused a DCM from Field Marshal Montgomery himself, calling Montgomery "incompetent" and refusing to be decorated by him. He remains one of only two Canadian soldiers ever to receive two DCMs.