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Britain
25% of the pilots in the Royal Air Force (RAF) that defeated the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) were Canadians. British PM Churchill
said “Never was so much owed by so many to so few.” 3000 Nazi planes were shot down, so Germany could not invade Britain -
Hong Kong
Japan attacked US at Pearl Harbor Dec.7 1941. Inexperienced Canadian soldiers were protecting Hong Kong for the British Canadian troops surrendered to Japanese Dec 25 after 17 days of fighting. Japanese had better weapons (airplanes and battle ships) 290 Canadians died, 500 wounded. 267 Canadians died in Japanese prison camps. -
Air War
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was small in 1930, but by 1945 4th largest in the world. Canadians bombed German cities at night trying to destroy factories that made war supplies. Not very successful as many pilots died and factories were not totally destroyed. -
Dieppe
The Allies wanted to scare the Germans so they would move soldiers away from Russia (USSR) and wanted to find out more about German coastal defences in Frances. They decided to have a short raid of France coastal town of Dieppe. 900 Canadians died, 1000 wounded, 1900 became prisoners of Germany and only 2200 returned safely to Britain. 2 years later the same mistakes would not be made when attacking France. -
Atlantic
Germany used submarines (U-boats) to sink supply ships coming to Britain from other countries. Canada set up convoys (groups of 60 supply ships) that were protected by corvettes (small fast gunboats). Safely escorted 25000 merchant ships to Britain and 1000s to Russia -
Italy
Operation Husky was the beginning of the attack on the Italy. Canadian soldiers the first to take the island of Sicily. 60 Canadians were killed/injured, but they captured 650 enemy soldiers. After 1 month Sicily was captured, but 2310 Canadian dead/wounded. Ortona was key city on the way to capturing Rome. Defended by the best German soldiers. Canada lost over 2300 men, but used “mouse-holing” technique to capture the city. Blasted holes in walls of buildings to avoid being shot by Germans. -
D-Day
Day of Deliverance - Canada’s largest military operation of WW2 14000 soldiers landed on the beach and 10000 sailors on 100 ships off the coast. Canada, USA and Britain attacked Normandy, France to take France back from the Germans. Canada was most successful at Juno Beach, but had 335 dead and 739 wounded. -
Europe
Canada freed the Netherlands from the Nazis. Canada had 7600 dead/wounded. Canada gave food to the Dutch people who were so happy that threw flowers(tulips) at the Canadian soldiers. Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945(VE Day Victory in Europe Day) -
Pacific
Chinese Canadians had elite commando unit called Force 136. They were used to sabotage Japanese war effort by destroying Japanese weapons, bridges and railways. Japanese Canadians became helped create propaganda and serve as translator
