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First Canadian Casualty
The first Canadian casualty of World War II was Hannah Baird, a stewardess from Quebec. She died when a German submarine torpedoed the passenger ship Athenia. Hannah was one of 112 people killed (52 of them were women) in the attack and became the first Canadian to die in the war. She is remembered on the Halifax Memorial and in Veteran’s Park in British Columbia. -
Canada declares war on Germany
Canada declared war on Germany one week after Britain and France. This was the first time Canada made its own decision to go to war, showing that it was independent from Britain. Canada joined the war to support its allies and fight against Germany’s aggression. This marked the start of Canada’s major role in World War II. -
Conscription
Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King promised not to use conscription during World War II. Conscription means forcing people to join the military. Unlike Robert Borden in World War I, King used a softer and slower approach. At first, conscription was only for home defence, which many people accepted. Later, as the war got worse, King allowed conscripted soldiers to be sent overseas. He tried to avoid dividing the country, especially between English and French Canadians. -
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
Canada helped the war effort by leading the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. This program trained over 130,000 aircrew from Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. Canada was chosen because it was far from the fighting and had lots of open space for training. It became known as the “aerodrome of democracy.” This plan was one of Canada’s biggest contributions to the war. -
Attack by Japanese
Japan attacked the Canadian soldiers defending Hong Kong. The battle lasted for over two weeks, and many Canadians were killed or taken as prisoners. Those captured were sent to prison camps and faced terrible conditions. This was the first time Canadian troops saw combat in the war, and the attack showed how dangerous the war had become in the Pacific. -
The Dieppe Raid
Thousands of Canadian soldiers attacked the German-held port of Dieppe in France. The goal was to test German defenses, but the raid was a failure. Many soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured. Over 900 Canadians died in just one day. The raid taught important lessons that helped plan the D-Day invasion later in the war. -
Battle of the Atlantic
The most dangerous time in the Battle of the Atlantic came to an end. Since the start of World War II, over 1,200 Canadian and Newfoundland merchant seamen had been killed at sea. They were attacked by German submarines while trying to deliver supplies to Europe. Their bravery helped keep the Allied forces strong and supported the war effort. -
Sicily
Canadian soldiers took part in the invasion of Sicily during World War II. It was their first major battle in the Italian Campaign. Along with British and American troops, they fought to push the Germans and Italians out of the island. The fighting was tough, but the Allies won and began moving into mainland Italy. This battle showed the strength and bravery of Canadian forces. -
D-Day
Canadian, British, and American forces invaded Normandy, France to fight the Germans. 15,000 members of the Canadian Army along with hundreds of members of the Royal Canadian Air Force participate in the landings as part of an invasion force of 150,000 Allies. There were 1,074 Canadian casualties, including 359 deaths. They pushed inland and helped create a path to free Europe from Nazi control. It was one of the most important battles of WW2 and a major victory for the Allies. -
Battle of Normandy
The Battle of Normandy began on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and lasted until August 1944. Canadian soldiers played a big role, especially at Juno Beach. They fought hard through tough battles in towns and countryside to help push the German army out of France. Over 5,000 Canadians died during the battle. Their efforts helped lead to the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control. -
Battle of Scheldt
To help the Allies gain access to the port of Antwerp, the First Canadian Army fought to clear the Germans from the Scheldt. This battle started in Holland. “The First Canadian Army during the final phases of the war was a powerful force, the largest army that had ever been under the control of a Canadian general.” The battle ended after several weeks. 41 000 prisoners were taken, but there were 13 000 casualties (killed, wounded/missing)-6 000 of these were Canadians. -
Arnhem
The First Canadian Army begins its campaign to open up a supply route through Arnhem and clear the Netherlands and the coastal belt of Germany. An assault on Arnhem began on April 12th. After two days of fighting, the two was liberated. “No part of Western was liberated at a more vital moment than the west of the Netherlands, and the Canadian soldiers who contributed so immensely to that liberation were cheered and greeted with joy.” -
V-E Day
Germany surrenders, the war in Europe ends; the next day, May 8, is declared V-E Day. This stands for Victory in Europe (V-E) Day. -
V-J Day
Japan surrenders - V-J Day. The Second World War is officially over. More than 1 million Canadians served and over 45 000 Canadians died in World War 2 with many more wounded (physically and mentally).