Yes, my title is correct. I work on a team of experts who work along the Battlefields of Europe, Great Britain, & South East Asia. My team is sending me as the primary guide to lead our Canadian Vets (at least, what's left of them) overseas for the 70th Anniversary since the Liberation of Holland. In my prep leading up to tour, I want to dive deep into some historical fiction (and some good non-fiction too!) that touches upon this historical event, - or - mainly, the Canadian involvement in the Second World War. I want to get a really clear idea of what these boys went through to end this great conflict in our history. I would love suggestions, and will trade suggestions for feedback from our boys while on tour.
The official history of the Canadian campaign in Northwest Europe is available online as a pdf, it'd probably be handy to have on your phone for reference:
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/his/oh-ho/detail-eng.asp?BfBookLang=1&BfId=29
The Netherlands parts start in Chapter 13. It's very detailed, lots of maps and diagrams and descriptions (often hour-by-hour) of the fighting. If a vet tells you his unit was at such-and-such a place, you should be able to find lots of context about why it was there.
The standard history of the Canadian involvement in the second world war is "Maple Leaf against the Axis" by David Bercuson. Which is IMO the best history of WW2 written from the Canadian POV.
So, one of those dreaded r/askhistorians clarification questions, if you'll forgive me. How much general history do you feel you require? Do you basically understand the big picture of WWII and Canada's involvement, or could you do with some refreshment? I'm trying to get a sense of how deep you want to go. I would be reluctant to recommend reading on a specific division, battle, or campaign unless I knew you had the context to interpret it.
In any case, one I would unequivocally recommend as a general source is John Keegan's The Second World War.
I'm very interested in the liberation of my country, especially of the Gelderland region. Family members of mine lived on the banks of the IJssel river when the canadians crossed it (their house was set ablaze while they were still in it by german artillery). It's was called "Operation Cannonshot", it was a pretty big operation. If some of the vets in your group were involved in that operation, it might be nice to visit that place. My relatives still live there, and I could probably get you in touch with them if you're interested. Just PM me.
In the meantime, you might be interested in these videos. I think they were made for the homefront, so they show a lot stuff the soldiers did in their downtime, rather actual fighting. It's not too factual or anything, but you'll probably get that from the books recommended in this thread.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL04CC43B7CD63C686
(the part about operation cannonshot I was talking about is shown in video 69, just so you can get an idea)
Mark Zuehlke usually writes in depth books about the CF in WWII. I know that there's Dieppe, D-day, and the Italian Campaigns. Have a look for any Dutch campaing ones.
I'm currently on a Pierre Berton kick, and I'll recommend Marching As to War, which covers in broad sweep Canadian military involvement from 1899 to 1953. Berton does a great job of tying Canada's military affairs in the Second World War to its experience in the First World War.
You'll also want to read Journal of a War by Donald Pearce, Missing in Action by John Harvie, Battle Diary by Charles Martin and A Bloody War by Hal Lawrence.
The Guns of Normandy / The Guns of Victory by George Blackburn. Great first person perspective of a FOO from D-day to the end of the war.
IMO one of the best general histories is CINDERELLA ARMY by Terry Copp. It covers the post-Normandy operations of the Canadian army with some good chapters on the actions in the Netherlands. For video I always recommend FOR KING AND COUNTRY, episodes of which can be found on YouTube.