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Canada declared war on Germany, one week after Britain. This marked Canada’s independent entrance into World War II, showing its growing independence as a nation
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Canada launched the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan training over 130,000 allied aircrew on home soil. Canada’s skies and schools became a key resource for the allied war effort.
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Canadian soldiers went to Hong Kong and faced fighting against Japanese forces. Over 290 were killed and nearly 500 were taken as prisoners of war.
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Canada created the War Supply Board to coordinate military production. Factories were converted to produce tanks, ships, and weapons, creating thousands of jobs.
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Over 900 Canadian soldiers were killed in a failed raid on a German occupied region Dieppe France. Despite the heavy losses, the raid provided key lessons for future invasions.
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Canadian troops invade Sicily with their allied forces to begin the Italian Campaign. This marks a key contribution to the liberation of Europe.
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This act gave the vote to women in the military and civil service. It reflected the changing role of women in Canadian society during the war
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On D-Day Canadian troops stormed Juno Beach as part of the Normandy invasion. They secured key territory despite heavy casualties and played a crucial role in breaking through German defenses.
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Canada’s final Victory Bonds campaign raised millions of dollars to support the war. The country came out as an industrial powerhouse and women became a lasting part of the workforce.
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Canadian troops liberated the Netherlands from Nazi occupation. It created a long lasting friendship between the Dutch and Canadians that they still endure to this day.
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Canadian troops liberated the Netherlands from Nazi occupation. It created a long lasting friendship between the Dutch and Canadians that they still endure till date.
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1 Carson-Hayward Institute, WWII Contributions Archives
2 Veterans Affairs Canada
3 Canadian War Museum
4 CBC Archives
5 Library and Archives Canada