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World War II Begins
Adolf Hitler sent the German army into Poland, which finally led Britain and France to declare war on Germany, thus marked the beginning of World War II. -
Canada Declared War on Germany
One week after Britain and France declared war on Germany, Canada joined the Allied powers. Although "obliged to go to war at Britain's side," King's delay of a week was a symbolic gesture of independence. -
First Troops Departed
The first Canadian troop convoy sailed out of Halifax headed for Britain. -
Vancouver Shipyards Gear up for War
The Vancouver Shipyards began to build corvettes and minesweepers for the Royal Canadian Navy, which would participate in the Battle of the Atlantic. -
Canada Declared War on Japan
Canada declared war on Japan, along with Romania, Hungary and Finland, after the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. -
Hong Kong Attacked
The Japanese attacked Hong Kong, where numerous Canadian troops were stationed at. Hong Kong later surrendered on December 25. 290 Canadians were killed, and another 1,685 taken prisoner by the Japanese. 260 of these Canadian prisoners would die as prisoners of war before the end of the war. -
Dieppe Raid
An Allied force of over 6,000 soldiers including 5,000 Canadians launched a major raid on the French coastal port of Dieppe. However, the operation ended in disaster. 1,964 of the total force were taken prisinor, and 916 Canadians lost their lives. This marked the first Canadian Army engagement in the European theatre. -
Invasion of Sicily
Canadian forces participated in the Allied invasion of Sicily. Although the invasion was risky and the Allied forces faced strong resistance from the Italians and the Germans, they captured the island after a month of fierce fighting on August 17. This was a huge victory for the Allied powers. -
Nuclear Programs Merged
At the beginning of the Second World War, the Britain's nuclear weapons program was the most developed in the world. It had been transferred to Canada due to the threat of a Nazi invasion and the bombing of Britain. At the Quebec Conference of August 1943, the British-Canadian program merged with the American Manhattan Project. Canada supplied and processed uranium, researched the production of plutonium, and provided valuable scientists and facilities. -
Battle of Ortona
As part of the Allied advance through Italy, Canadian forces fought one of their toughest battles of the war in a bid to capture the town of Ortona. The month-long campaign first started at the Moro River outside Ortona, then moved into the streets of the town itself. The battle cost more than 2,300 Canadian casualties, but eventually, on the night of December 27, German forces withdrew, and the Allied forces gained another important victory. -
Liri Valley Assault
The British and Indian corps previously tried but failed to break through German lines in Liri Valley as the planners have hoped, so the canadians was moved up to take the task. The German line was a death trap heavily wired and mined and studded with concrete emplacements and armoured gun turrets. However, despite this, the Canadians broke through at the cost of 1,000 casualties in just one day, while also inflicting almost the same casualties, gaining a stunning victory over the Germans. -
D-Day
D-Day landings was one of the most significant pivotal events of the Second World War and the scene of some of Canada's greatest feats of arms. Canadian sailors, soldiers and airmen played a critical role in the Allied D-Day landings, beginning the bloody campaign to liberate Western Europe from Nazi occupation. During D-Day, 14,000 Canadians landed at Juno Beach, 124 vessels and 10,000 sailors from the Royal Canadian Navy provided support, and 39 air squadrons were sent to the operation. -
Battle of Normandy
The Battle of Normandy ended with the liberation of Paris. The Canadians had been successful in what was generally agreed the fiercest portion of the campaign. Canadian losses had been large in proportion to the strength engaged. From D-Day through 23 August the total casualties of the Canadian Army had been 18,444, of which 5,021 were fatal. However, the sacrifice of these soldiers paved the road to the liberation of France, which saved more civilian lives from being lost under Hitler's regime. -
Battle of the Scheldt
The Battle of the Scheldt was fought in northern Belgium and southwestern Netherlands. It was part of the Allied campaign to liberate northwestern Europe and defeat Nazi Germany. The First Canadian Army played a crucial role in clearing the Scheldt of German forces, opening supply lines via the port of Antwerp. The battle ended in November 9 with an Allied victory. However, this victory came at a cost. The Allied forces suffered nearly 13,000 casualties, including more than 6,300 Canadians. -
Rhineland Offensive
The Rhineland Offensive was one of the last major European campaigns of the war. Under General Harry Crerar, the First Canadian Army fought tough battles in the Reichswald and the Hochwald, preparing the way for the Allies to cross the Rhine and enter Germany. More than 5,300 Canadians were killed, wounded or captured during the campaign, but nevertheless, the Canadians managed to win another hard-fought victory, and the campaign ended in March 24. -
Germany Surrendered
German armed forces surrendered unconditionally in the west on May 7 and in the east on May 9, 1945. Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day) was proclaimed on May 8, 1945, amid celebrations in Washington, London, Moscow, and Paris. Canada and its soldiers played an vital role in Germany's surrender, and its involvement in the war will not be forgotten. -
Japan Surrendered
On September 2, 1945, Japanese representatives signed the official Instrument of Surrender. This marked the end of World War II, and ends the necessity of sending into battle the approximately 80,000 Canadian troops who volunteered to serve in the Pacific.