-
Start of War
Germany attacks Poland and Britain and France declare war on Germany to protect Polish sovereignty, Prime Minister King summons Parliament to decide whether to follow Britain. The war started due to a serious of action and consequence, leading to the deadliest conflict in history, with countless atrocities commited. -
Canada Declares War
After vote from Parliament, Canada officially declares war, joining the Allies. Only caveat is no overseas conscription. Send one unit overseas.
Now therefore we do hereby declare
and proclaim that a state of war with the
German Reich exists and has existed in our
Dominion of Canada as from the 10th day of
September, 1939 - * By Command,
W. li. MACKEN2IE KING,
PRIME MINISTER- OF CANADA.* -
Germany Advances Across Europe
As Germany went through Europe, they defeated the Allies in France and Belgium. Germany captured Paris. In June of the year, Canada passed the National Resources Mobilization Act, which allowed conscription. King reassured citizens with his famous quote, saying that service was needed but not mandatory.
Conscription if necessary, but not necessarily conscription.
William Lyon Mackenzie King -
Dunkirk Evacuation
German's blitzkrieg strategy allowed them to rapidly invade France. British forces were trapped on the shores on Dunkirk, France. Over 9 days, the military evacuated approximately 198,000 British and 140,000 French and Belgian troops. However, British forces had to leave behind 75,000 of their 80,000 military vehicles, leaving them compromised on land. However, this fuelled Canadian manufacturing as the British relied on their Atlantic Allies for supplies and allowed economic revitalization. -
Canadian Manufacturing
Canadian shipbuilders showed their skills by constructing 10,000 ton ships in an average of 163 days. Their speed and efficiency were critical to the war effort as they supplied the Allied forces countless ships, tankers, and weapons. -
Dieppe Raid
On August 19, 1942, the Dieppe Raid involved around 5000 Canadian troops launching an assault on German forces that were occupying the Port of Dieppe in northern France. Due to poor planning, heavy losses were incurred with 900 killed and 1900 captured. However, lessons from the failed Dieppe Raid helped guide the successful D-Day Operation in 1944. -
Canadian Production
Government creates Agricultural Food Board to coalesce food production. Canada sends 1.5 billion kg of bacon, 325 million kg of cheese, other meats, and butter to allies like the UK and France because they were struggling from the war. The government also sent vegetables like carrots, powdered eggs for better transport, and condensed milk. These products were made by farmers and packaged in factories where Canadians worked. -
Allied Forces move into Italy
Allied troops including Canadians advance into mainland of Italy, fighting near Ortona. This marked the beginning of their southern Europe campaign, and paved the way for freeing the Mediterranean from fascist control. -
Ally Resistance
American, British, and Canadian troops invade Sicily, on the route to Italy. This marks the start of Allies' resistance in Europe and opens their path to southern Europe. Soon after, Mussolini was removed as the Premier and the King names Marshal Badoglio to succeed him. -
Belgian and Dutch Operations
Battle of the Scheldt. Canadians and other Allied forces work together to clear the Scheldt Estuary which opened the port of Antwerp for allied supplies. There was fierce German resistance and Canada lost about 6,000 men, but the battle paved the way for ally expansion in the Netherlands, leading to its later liberation. This would come to be one of Canada's most heralded acts in the second world war. -
Normandy - D-day
First Canadian Forces participate in Normandy invasion. Part of the British Second Army under Lieutenant General Dempsey. Canadian forces land on portion of Beach called Juno. Nearly 150, 000 troops landed on one of the greatest military operations of the time. The invasion helped allies establish a foothold in France, then start carving their way through Europe to meet the Soviets in Germany. -
End of War
On May 2nd, 1945, Soviets captured Berlin. Adolf Hitler dies by suicide in a bunker. Germany surrenders on May 8, but WW2 officially ended on September 2 with official surrender documents signed. Japan had announced its surrender earlier following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They ended the war quickly but are still debated. Did preventing further conflict justify civilian losses? Many of the scientists that worked on the bomb- including Robert Oppenheimer- disagreed.