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Evacuation at Dunkirk
Dunkirk was a port town in France from which a massive Allied evacuation took place in May 1940, when German forces conquered France. It was a dramatic rescue because more than 340, 000 Allied soldiers were brought to safety in Britain. This was seen as the “miracle of Dunkirk” and helped boost the British morale. The German army continued to sweep through France after the evacuation at Dunkirk. France surrendered which meant that Britain and the Commonwealth stood alone. against Germany. -
North-African Campaign
The only land based fight that the Allies could take to the Axis powers that would become a three-year campaign in the deserts of North Africa. This struggle for the control of resources and strategic positions was known as the Desert War. To have any hope of victory, the Axis had to dominate the Mediterranean by controlling the Strait of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal which would give them access to the oil-rich Middle East. The Axis forces wanted to prevent an Allied victory but over the next th -
Battle of Britain
An air campaign launched in 1940 by the Royal Air Force to stop the Germans from achieving air superiority. These raids, which became known as “the Blitz,” (frequent bombing attacks on London and other British cities by Nazi Germany), took place over many weeks destroying not only buildings but lives. In September 1940, Hitler finally gave up on his plans to invade Britain as the Royal Air force shot down more German bombers. During the battle, more than 23 000 people were killed. -
Operation Barbarossa
Hitler launched Operation Barbarossa which was the most powerful invasion in history with nineteen panzer divisions, 3, 000 tanks, 2, 500 aircraft and 7, 000 artillery pieces which poured across a thousand-mile front. Conquering the Soviet Union and its raw materials, agricultural land and labour for the German army was part of his long-term plans for a new German Empire. The German troops got as far as Stalingrad but lost focus by the cold Soviet winter suffering more than 300 000 casualties. -
The Dieppe Raid
The 1942 trial raid by Canadian troops against Germany’s occupation of Dieppe which Canada suffered many losses. Their purpose was to test new techniques and equipment, “reconnaissance” for future missions. The plan was to launch four pre-dawn attacks along the coast, followed the main attack on Dieppe. The raid was a failure; casualties were high, 907 Canadian soldiers were killed in 9 hours unable to retreat or advance because they were easy targets for German troops. -
The Italian Campaign
British Prime Minister wanted to recapture Europe through the “soft underbelly” of Europe – Italy and Sicily. Canadians took part in the successful capture of Sicily then they moved to Italy and fought in terrible weather and conditions. The invasion the lasted for two years which cost thousands of lives. -
Battle of Sicily
Canadians once again fought German and Italian soldiers through 240 kilometres of terrain, losing more than 500 soldiers in the battle. This battle lead to Mussolini’s downfall however, the German’s continued to defend their Italian territory. The Battle of Sicily achieved the operational goals of evicting Axis forces from the island. -
Battle of Ortona
Canadians played a major role in the battle of Ortona; they were the major fighting force in the battle. The battle was part of the Italian campaign, to take control of the Italian continent. Canadians put up a fierce fight against the Italian troops but fought the German defensive lines at Ortona. After a month of fighting, 1 372 Canadian soldiers were lost and nearly 6, 000 killed in Italy. -
D-Day: The Normandy Invasion
The day allied armies invaded France, the biggest Allied invasion of World War Two. The soldiers had massive air and naval support; full-scale invasion on the 5 landing points; Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah. Paratroopers and air attacks allowed the Allies to manage keeping the details of the secret attack from the Germans. The Germans were not expecting an attack because within a few weeks the Allies had landed a million troops as a result the German defence was poorly coordinated. -
Juno Beach
14, 000 Canadian soldiers landed at Juno beach in Normandy as part of the first wave of attack. They had to make their way past concrete barriers, barbed wire, land mines and German defences. Canadians fought their way inland about the nine-kilometre stretch although casualties were high, alongside Utah, was considered the most strategically successful of the D-Day landings. -
Battle of the Scheldt
Canadians marched through Dieppe where only two years earlier they had suffered a horrible defeat but in October were given a task of clearing enemy troops in Scheldt River in Belgium. The Canadians achieved their goal after a month of fighting which allowed the Allies to bring in supplies for their final supplies for their final advance in Germany. -
Battle of the Rhineland
The Allies began their attack to drive the Germans back over the Rhine River and out of the Netherlands on February 8, 1945. The soldiers struggled through hard conditions against the German resistance. The Germans lost more than 90, 000 men, 52, 000 prisoner while the Allies had more than 23, 000 men killed. The German army withdrew to the east bank of the Rhine River, allowing the Canadians to continue north to liberate Holland on March 10. -
Liberating the Netherlands
The Canadians were specifically given the task of liberating the Netherlands.The Dutch there had suffered through an extremely harsh winter, short supplies, but relief goods were quickly directed into the area. After a month of fighting, the Allies negotiated a truce with Germany, allowing them to bring much needed supplies to the Dutch people. The Canadians were welcomed enthusiastically and were hailed heroes as they liberated throughout the towns and cities in the Netherlands.
