Harlingen was not only defended by the German forces from the sea side but also had defensive structures on the eastern side. Minefields were laid, an anti-tank trench was dug, and a 47mm gun was positioned on Midlumerweg road (now: Midlumerlaan). Additionally, the bunker complex in the Engelse Tuin (English Garden) included concrete bunkers and machine gun nests. The drawings below depict all the German defensive structures. 

The artillery and searchlights that illuminated the skies over Harlingen on the night of 16 to 17 April 1945 were positioned near Herbaijum. The bombardment was carried out by the Canadian 14th Field Regiment and the 7th Medium Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery, and was directed from the roadside near a farm beyond the Old Station. 

During the bombardment, six of the nine 40mm guns of the German forces were destroyed by direct hits. Following this, approximately 900 infantrymen from the Highland Infantry of Canada, supported by Sherman tanks from the Canadian Sherbrooke Fusiliers, advanced toward Harlingen. 

The professional manner in which the bombardment was directed, including fire adjustments from a jeep, greatly impressed Mr. Heeger, the local section commander of the Binnenlandse Strijdkrachten (Dutch Interior Forces) in Harlingen. He also noted the contrast between the nonchalant, whistling, and smoking Canadian soldiers, who advanced on both sides of the road, and the German soldiers, who had behaved quite differently.