During the operations leading up to the capture of the port of Delfzijl, Lieutenant Hellens and his troop from 10 Canadian Field Squadron were supporting the Westminster Regiment (Motor). On 30 April 1945 it was discovered that the enemy's demolitions in the vicinity of the village of Waldendorp were so extensive that it was impossible to get either wheeled or tracked vehicles into the village in order to bring badly needed ammunition and armoured support to the infantry, who had penetrated into the village. Lieutenant Hellens set to work with his troop and, in spite of the heavy and accurate shell fire, repaired three miles of road, cleared three ten-foot road blocks and filled five craters, which also enabled the infantry to advance to the village of Termunten on the following day. This infantry advance was so rapid that much of the mopping up had to be left until later. In spite of this, however, Lieutenant Hellens insisted on keeping up with the leading infantry in order to get early information of the minefields, and of the damage done to the roads. On account of his early reconnaissance he was, with his troop, able to open the road, clear all road blocks and mines right into the village of Termunten whilst the battle was still going on. During the latter part of the work in the outskirts of Termunten the troop came under heavy and observed fire from an enemy 20-mm flak battery, 500 yards distant, but in spite of this they completed the clearance of a ten-foot road block made of heavy timbers and brick rubble, enabling badly needed ammunition and supplies for the infantry to be brought up. Throughout these operations the determination and great courage displayed by this officer contributed greatly to their success.