Canadian Battlefronts WWII

The Defence of Hong Kong The Defence of Hong Kong It was against Japan in the defence of Hong Kong that Canadian soldiers were first committed to battle during the Second World War. It was against Japan in the defence of Hong Kong that Canadian soldiers were first committed to battle during the Second World War.Japan

The Battle of the Atlantic The Battle of the Atlantic From the very outset of hostilities, Britain faced a threat to her survival. From the very outset of hostilities, Britain faced a threat to her survival.

This menace came from the sea as Germany was determined to starve the British people into submission by destroying their sea communications and cutting them off from overseas supplies. This menace came from the sea as Germany was determined to starve the British people into submission by destroying their sea communications and cutting them off from overseas supplies.Germany

For six long years the Canadian Navy was one of the principal contenders in what was to be known as the Battle of the Atlantic. For six long years the Canadian Navy was one of the principal contenders in what was to be known as the Battle of the Atlantic.

The Raid on Dieppe The Raid on Dieppe Canada’s worst defeat of the war Canada’s worst defeat of the war

Conquest of Sicily Conquest of Sicily This was to be the prelude to the invasion of mainland Europe. This was to be the prelude to the invasion of mainland Europe. One of the Canadian tasks was to break through the main enemy position and capture Adrano One of the Canadian tasks was to break through the main enemy position and capture Adrano

Canadians faced not only human enemies, but physical barriers as well. Canadians faced not only human enemies, but physical barriers as well.

The rugged, almost trackless country meant that mule trains were required to bring forward mortars, guns, ammunition and other supplies. The rugged, almost trackless country meant that mule trains were required to bring forward mortars, guns, ammunition and other supplies.

Literally fighting from mountain rock to mountain rock, the Canadians advanced steadily against the enemy positions Literally fighting from mountain rock to mountain rock, the Canadians advanced steadily against the enemy positions

Sicily had been conquered in 38 days. Canadian casualties totalled 562 killed, 664 wounded and 84 prisoners of war. Sicily had been conquered in 38 days. Canadian casualties totalled 562 killed, 664 wounded and 84 prisoners of war.

Canadians in Italy Canadians in Italy One result of the Allied invasion of Sicily was the overthrow of the Italian dictator, Mussolini. One result of the Allied invasion of Sicily was the overthrow of the Italian dictator, Mussolini.Mussolini

The fighting in Italy, as in Sicily, was to be bitter. The fighting in Italy, as in Sicily, was to be bitter. The Germans made every Allied advance difficult and costly. The Germans made every Allied advance difficult and costly.

During several days of vicious street fighting in Ortona the Canadians smashed their way through walls and buildings—a tactic which became known as "mouseholing." During several days of vicious street fighting in Ortona the Canadians smashed their way through walls and buildings—a tactic which became known as "mouseholing."

Total Canadian casualties in the 20-month Mediterranean (Sicily and Italy) numbered 25,264 of which more than 5,900 were fatal. Total Canadian casualties in the 20-month Mediterranean (Sicily and Italy) numbered 25,264 of which more than 5,900 were fatal.

The Landings in Normandy The Landings in Normandy On June 6, 1944, now known to history as D- Day, Operation Overlord, the long-awaited invasion of Northwest Europe, began with Allied landings on the coast of Normandy. On June 6, 1944, now known to history as D- Day, Operation Overlord, the long-awaited invasion of Northwest Europe, began with Allied landings on the coast of Normandy.

Invasion Map

The task was formidable for the Germans had turned the coastline into a continuous fortress with guns, pillboxes, wire, mines and beach obstacles - and on it depended the outcome of the war. The task was formidable for the Germans had turned the coastline into a continuous fortress with guns, pillboxes, wire, mines and beach obstacles - and on it depended the outcome of the war.

Following an all-night bombardment of the assault areas, the Allies attacked "Fortress Europe" on a five-division front. Following an all-night bombardment of the assault areas, the Allies attacked "Fortress Europe" on a five-division front.

U.S. forces attacked at Utah and Omaha Beaches U.S. forces attacked at Utah and Omaha BeachesOmaha

British forces attacked Sword and Gold Beaches British forces attacked Sword and Gold Beaches

Canadians assaulted Juno Beach Canadians assaulted Juno Beach

Normandy was the largest invasion force in history. It was a magnificent accomplishment as the strong Atlantic Wall had been breached and allied forces began the liberation of Europe Normandy was the largest invasion force in history. It was a magnificent accomplishment as the strong Atlantic Wall had been breached and allied forces began the liberation of Europe

Approximately 14,000 Canadians landed in Normandy on D-Day. Inevitably the cost was considerable, but not nearly as high as had been feared. The Canadian assault force suffered 1,074 casualties, of which 359 were fatal. Approximately 14,000 Canadians landed in Normandy on D-Day. Inevitably the cost was considerable, but not nearly as high as had been feared. The Canadian assault force suffered 1,074 casualties, of which 359 were fatal.

Liberation of the Netherlands The Liberation of the Netherlands was completed on May 5, 1945 by the First Canadian Army. It had been a long and difficult campaign.

Two Canadian Army corps would fight side by side for the first time in history. The 2nd Canadian Corps would clear the northeastern Netherlands and the German coast, and the 1st Canadian Corps would deal with the Germans remaining in the western Netherlands north of the Maas. Canadians are still honoured every year for their sacrifices. Two Canadian Army corps would fight side by side for the first time in history. The 2nd Canadian Corps would clear the northeastern Netherlands and the German coast, and the 1st Canadian Corps would deal with the Germans remaining in the western Netherlands north of the Maas. Canadians are still honoured every year for their sacrifices.

The Rhineland Campaign The Rhineland Campaign In February 1945, the Allies launched the great offensive which was designed to drive the enemy back over the Rhine and bring about final defeat. In February 1945, the Allies launched the great offensive which was designed to drive the enemy back over the Rhine and bring about final defeat.

During this month of fighting, the First Canadian Army lost 15,634 killed, wounded or missing, including 5,304 Canadians, but they had gained the banks of the Rhine which marked the last major line of German defence. During this month of fighting, the First Canadian Army lost 15,634 killed, wounded or missing, including 5,304 Canadians, but they had gained the banks of the Rhine which marked the last major line of German defence.

The Secret War Camp X was located in Whitby. Camp X was located in Whitby. The sole purpose of Camp X was to develop Secret Agents in every aspect of Silent Killing, Sabotage, Demolition, Weaponry and Morse Code. The sole purpose of Camp X was to develop Secret Agents in every aspect of Silent Killing, Sabotage, Demolition, Weaponry and Morse Code.

Ian Fleming drew from his experiences with Agents from Camp - X to write his famous 'James Bond' novels. Ian Fleming drew from his experiences with Agents from Camp - X to write his famous 'James Bond' novels.