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After Hitler invades Poland prompting the beginning of WWII, Canada declares war a week after Britain and France, the first and only time it had declared war on another country independently. This shows how Canadians felt the need to support Britain, but also wanted to do it by themselves. ("Chronology of the Second World War, veterans.gc.ca) -
The first Canadian convoy of merchant ships sailed from Halifax. Over the duration of the war 377 convoys moved 180 million tons of supplies for the war, much of that product was Canadian made. This effort, was a significant contributing factor to winning the war. Churchill said that it was the "dominating factor all through the war...everything happening elsewhere...depended ultimately on its outcome." (Boileau, J. "Canada's Merchant Navy: The Men that Saved the World" Legion, 2010) -
BCATP is established and Canada would provide facilities and would train 131,533 airmen - half of the entire commonwealth air crew. Canada had to build the infrastructure for this project that cost every Canadian $3K in tax funds. This was a catalyst to a huge increase in aircraft production that in time saw Canada become the 4th largest Allied air force. These efforts also made Canada a leader in the aviation and aerospace industries to this day. (Saskatchewan Aviation Museum/saskaviation.ca) -
The first large contingent arrived in Scotland. Over 1M soldiers ultimately would serve in this war, more than 45K would never return. Because of Canada's contributions to the war effort, Canada would take it's place on the world stage. "The Second World War was a defining event in Canadian history, transforming a quiet country on the fringes of global affairs into a critical player in the 20th century's most important struggle." (Stacey, C, "Second World War" 2013, The Canadian Encyclopedia) -
The Vancouver shipyards scale up production of naval assets such as corvettes and mine sweepers. Canadian efforts help replace the numerous vessels lost to German U-boats. Some 84K individuals were employed in merchant and naval ship building in Canada including women and immigrants, changing the workforce forever. "But these women buckled down and went to work, soon winning the respect of their male colleagues with their toil and dedication." (Hagemoen, Scoutmagazine.ca) -
Canada creates the Department of Munitions and Supply to manage the production of war materials under Minister C. D. Howe. Under the Department's control, industry, including companies like Ford, Defasco, Bombardier, and Tip Top Tailors, produced an estimated $10 B (1940 value) worth of war materials. After the war, "Canada had become the third largest trading nation in the world. ...things would never again be the same for Canadian workers. (Canada's Industries Gear up for War/veterans.gc.ca) -
The Dunkirk Evacuation, forced troops to abandon 75K military vehicles leaving the Allies crippled. Canada not only helped to rescue 338K people, the Canadian industry also produced more than 800K military transport vehicles, 50K tanks, 40K field/naval/anti=aircraft guns and 1.7M small arms. Of the 800K military vehicles of all types built in Canada, 168K were issued to Canadian forces, making it the most mechanized field force in the war. (Canadian Production of War Materials/veterans.gc.ca) -
Germany attacked England. This battle was primarily a war in the air. Many Allied countries, including Pols, New Zealanders, Czechs, Australians, Belgians, South Africans, French, Irish and Americans took part with Canada to save Britain. It is estimated that 100 Canadian pilots joined the Royal Air Force, called CAN/RAFs. 23 Canadians lost their lives. Winston Churchill said, “never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” (March, W./thecanadianencyclopedia.ca) -
Japan attacks Pear Harbour and Canada declares war with Britain and the US. At the same time inadequately-trained Canadian troops, stationed in Hong Kong were attacked by Japanese. Of the 1975 Canadians, 290 were killed with the remaining taken prisoner to brutal POW camps where 260 would die "...they quickly began training and prepared for active defence of the colony...Only three weeks would go by before they would find themselves in combat." (Defence of Hong Kong/veterans.gc.ca) -
Canada and Britain attacked at Dieppe as a distraction plan to help the Soviets that were being badly attacked by Germany. This controversial plan would result in 907 dead in a matter of 9 hours and many captured. Some believe this tragedy helped plan D-Day, but other feel it was just a poor plan that ended the lives of too many young men. (Disaster at Dieppe/Canadian War Museum/warmuseum.ca) -
Canada's longest campaign joins the Brits, starting with the conquest of Sicily and steadily moving up. They liberated Italy from Mussolini (June 4 ,1944). Nearly 6K Canadian soldiers died."The regiment, as a whole, had very heavy losses from time to time...our major had sent a letter, a phone call rather, around “Toons,” telling them of the fact that of 756 men who’d landed in Sicily on 10 July 1943, there were exactly 34 of us left." (George F. Burrows, Zuehlke/thecanadianencyclopedia.ca) -
In one day Canadian Troops secured the Beachhead for more troops and equipment, met up with British Troops and moved more inland than any other Army. This was one of Canada's most famous military achievement. This Battle was the beginning of the end of the war. The people from the area of Juno beach celebrate their liberation with Canadian maple leafs each year on June 6. (Foot, R/Canada on D-Day: Juno Beach/thecanadianencyclopedia.ca) -
Allied forces (Brits, Pols, French, American) and 40K Canadians fought to open up sea lanes into Netherlands to Germany. On Nov 8 they were able to bring in supply ships and eventually allied forces would liberate the Dutch people. Half the casualties and deaths were Canadian. "The Canadians’ tenacity, fighting spirit, and sheer heroism meant hundreds of thousands of tons of much-need supplies could get into Europe and fuel the continent’s final liberation." (The Forgotten Battle.../cwgc.org)