An element of the Belgian SAS was ordered to move towards the sea via Beerta and Finsterwolde. Near Beerta, they caught up with a German rearguard, which had taken up positions near an isolated farmhouse. Supported by jeeps loaded with machine guns, the Belgians forces attacked the farm and the German troops fled in chaos. That afternoon, a Belgian commander made his way to a crossroads to indicate a new direction for the advance, when suddenly grenades and mortar bombs struck the junction. Fearing that the shelling was a harbinger of a German counterattack, another commander ordered the vehicles to disperse and organise a defence.

The residents of Beerta waited tensely for what was to come. They knew that nearby Winschoten had been liberated, but that the petrol depot there had been set on fire by the occupying forces, it had been clearly visible by the glow in the sky. Beerta unfortunately suffered the same fate: the Oosterschool where a lot of ammunition was stored and some other buildings were blown up.

On Sunday afternoon, twelve German soldiers moved through the village on bicycles towards Germany. Shortly afterwards, the first Belgian jeeps arrived in Beerta. School headmaster Van Iddekinge sought contact with the Belgian liberators and drew their attention to the Germans who had passed just before. The Belgians advanced cautiously, and after only 300 metres a firefight ensued in which several German soldiers were killed and seven taken prisoner. The prisoners were put in a dry ditch under guard with their hands up. Three escapees were quickly captured.

In the early evening, Polish tanks also arrived in Beerta. The Polish commander seemed displeased that the Belgian forces were still in the village, and it was decided to advance further north together immediately along a new route. That night there was great uncertainty among the Polish and Belgian forces, who defended positions near the crossroads at Finsterwolde. Enemy artillery was still active, and two Belgian soldiers were killed. The occupation of Finsterwolde proved difficult, and eventually it was decided to retreat to Oostereinde, whilst only a few outposts in Finsterwolde would remain.

In Finsterwolde, a small monument recalls the sacrifices made by the Belgian SAS.