In 1944, the First Canadian Army (now commanded by Lieutenant-General H.D.G. “Harry” Crerar) went into battle on the left flank in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, clearing the Channel coast after the Normandy Invasion. At that point, it had more Allied than Canadian troops, including contingents of British, Polish, American and Dutch infantry and armoured soldiers. The balance was restored in March 1945 following the Rhineland campaign, when the Canadians in Italy rejoined First Canadian Army for the Liberation of the Netherlands.