Canadian Canadian BattlefrontsBattlefronts

WWIIWWII

The Defence of Hong Kong It was against It was against Japan in the defence in the defence

of Hong Kong that Canadian soldiers of Hong Kong that Canadian soldiers were first committed to battle during were first committed to battle during the Second World War.the Second World War.

The Battle of the Atlantic

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

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

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

The Raid on Dieppe

Canada’s worst defeat of the warCanada’s worst defeat of the war

Conquest of Sicily

This was to be the prelude to the This was to be the prelude to the invasion of mainland Europe. invasion of mainland Europe.

One of the Canadian tasks was to One of the Canadian tasks was to break through the main enemy break through the main enemy position and capture Adrano position and capture Adrano

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

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

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

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

Canadians in Italy Canadians in Italy

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

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The fighting in Italy, as in Sicily, was The fighting in Italy, as in Sicily, was to be bitter. to be bitter.

The Germans made every Allied The Germans made every Allied advance difficult and costly. advance difficult and costly.

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

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

The Landings in The Landings in Normandy Normandy

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

Invasion MapInvasion Map

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

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

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

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

Canadians assaulted Juno BeachCanadians assaulted Juno Beach

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

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

Liberation of the Liberation of the NetherlandsNetherlands

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

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

The Rhineland Campaign The Rhineland Campaign

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

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

The Secret WarThe Secret War

Camp X was located in Whitby. Camp X was located in Whitby. The sole purpose of Camp X was to The sole purpose of Camp X was to

develop Secret Agents in every develop Secret Agents in every aspect of Silent Killing, Sabotage, aspect of Silent Killing, Sabotage, Demolition, Weaponry and Morse Demolition, Weaponry and Morse Code. Code.

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