Major Battles of WWII

Battle of Britain Turning point of the war Turning point of the war First major battle to be fought entirely with air forces First major battle to be fought entirely with air forces The British had to prepare for “the whole fury and might of the enemy” –Winston Churchill The British had to prepare for “the whole fury and might of the enemy” –Winston Churchill Hitler didn’t think sending Naval forces in would be smart Hitler didn’t think sending Naval forces in would be smart The German Air Force outnumbered the British 3 to 1 The German Air Force outnumbered the British 3 to 1

Battle of Britain- Cont Germans referred to the attack as Operation Sea Lion. Germans referred to the attack as Operation Sea Lion. Recently rescued British troops had little equipment and poor training, giving Canada a significant role Recently rescued British troops had little equipment and poor training, giving Canada a significant role In July 1940, Canadians joined the 7 th British Army Corps In July 1940, Canadians joined the 7 th British Army Corps Canadians served in squadrons consisting of Hurricanes and Spitfires Canadians served in squadrons consisting of Hurricanes and Spitfires

Spitfires Hurricane

Battle of Britain- Cont August 12 th, German Air Force attacks radar stations, airfields, and Forces August 12 th, German Air Force attacks radar stations, airfields, and Forces Estimated 22 Aircrafts lost by RAF, 31 by Germans Estimated 22 Aircrafts lost by RAF, 31 by Germans September 7 th - Massive Air Raid on London by Germans September 7 th - Massive Air Raid on London by Germans RAF: 27 GAF: 37 RAF: 27 GAF: 37

Battle of Britain- Postponed On September 17 th, 1940, Hitler postponed Operation Sea Lion On September 17 th, 1940, Hitler postponed Operation Sea Lion Bombings and other scuffles continued until October 31 st Bombings and other scuffles continued until October 31 st On September 27 th, Canadians and RAF’s defeat the last major daylight attack On September 27 th, Canadians and RAF’s defeat the last major daylight attack Estimated total losses- RAF: 930 GAF: 1623 Estimated total losses- RAF: 930 GAF: 1623

While most Canadian soldiers fought the second world war on the European front, they were also involved in one of the most infamous battles of the Pacific. While most Canadian soldiers fought the second world war on the European front, they were also involved in one of the most infamous battles of the Pacific. On December 8 th 1941; the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese empire launched an attack on the British colony of Hong Kong, in an attempt to control all of southeast Asia. On December 8 th 1941; the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese empire launched an attack on the British colony of Hong Kong, in an attempt to control all of southeast Asia. When Hong Kong was threatened, Canada was asked to dispatch troops to defend the island. Although many said the island would be difficult, if not impossible to protect, 1900 soldiers were sent across the Pacific to take up positions around Hong Kong. When Hong Kong was threatened, Canada was asked to dispatch troops to defend the island. Although many said the island would be difficult, if not impossible to protect, 1900 soldiers were sent across the Pacific to take up positions around Hong Kong. In the ensuing battle, the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Winnipeg Grenadiers (the first Canadian ground units to see action in the Second World War) fought heroically to defend the colony. In the ensuing battle, the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Winnipeg Grenadiers (the first Canadian ground units to see action in the Second World War) fought heroically to defend the colony.

The Japanese attack did not take the garrison by complete surprise; the defense forces were prepared. On the morning of December 8, the entire garrison was ordered to war stations. The Canadian force was ferried across from Kowloon to the island, and by 5 p.m. the battalions were in position. Fifteen hours before the Japanese attacked, all Hong Kong defense forces were in position. The Japanese attack did not take the garrison by complete surprise; the defense forces were prepared. On the morning of December 8, the entire garrison was ordered to war stations. The Canadian force was ferried across from Kowloon to the island, and by 5 p.m. the battalions were in position. Fifteen hours before the Japanese attacked, all Hong Kong defense forces were in position. The invasion of the island came with nightfall on December 18 th. The enemy launched four separate assaults across a three-kilometer front on the northern beaches of Hong Kong Island. They came ashore in the face of machine-gun fire from soldiers of the Rajput unit who were manning the pillboxes. The invasion of the island came with nightfall on December 18 th. The enemy launched four separate assaults across a three-kilometer front on the northern beaches of Hong Kong Island. They came ashore in the face of machine-gun fire from soldiers of the Rajput unit who were manning the pillboxes. The strength of the invasion force was overwhelming, and by early December 19, the Japanese had reached as far as the Wong Nei Chong and Tai Tam Gaps, again proving their effectiveness at night fighting. The strength of the invasion force was overwhelming, and by early December 19, the Japanese had reached as far as the Wong Nei Chong and Tai Tam Gaps, again proving their effectiveness at night fighting.

On the island, the defending forces were reorganized into an East and West Brigade. The West Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Lawson, consisted of the Royal Scots, the Winnipeg Grenadiers, the Punjab unit and the Canadian signalers. The East Brigade, under Brigadier Wallis, comprised the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Rajput unit. On the island, the defending forces were reorganized into an East and West Brigade. The West Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Lawson, consisted of the Royal Scots, the Winnipeg Grenadiers, the Punjab unit and the Canadian signalers. The East Brigade, under Brigadier Wallis, comprised the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Rajput unit. To soften the island's defenses, the Japanese directed heavy artillery bombardment at the island, mounted destructive air raids, and systematically shelled the pillboxes along the north shore. To soften the island's defenses, the Japanese directed heavy artillery bombardment at the island, mounted destructive air raids, and systematically shelled the pillboxes along the north shore. The Japanese demanded for surrender, it was refused, but the situation was very grim. With the sinking of two British relief ships off Malaya and the crippling of the United States fleet at Pearl Harbor, there was no hope of relief, and the Chinese armies were in no position to give immediate aid. The defenders awaited assault in complete isolation. The Japanese demanded for surrender, it was refused, but the situation was very grim. With the sinking of two British relief ships off Malaya and the crippling of the United States fleet at Pearl Harbor, there was no hope of relief, and the Chinese armies were in no position to give immediate aid. The defenders awaited assault in complete isolation.

With both brigades isolated, it was only a matter of time before the island would fall. Still, the Canadian defenders fought on in the face of the relentless Japanese assault. With both brigades isolated, it was only a matter of time before the island would fall. Still, the Canadian defenders fought on in the face of the relentless Japanese assault. Finally, on Christmas Day, the Canadians were forced to surrender. Over 500 were dead and those who survived would become prisoners of war. Many of which would be tortured or starved by their Japanese captors. Finally, on Christmas Day, the Canadians were forced to surrender. Over 500 were dead and those who survived would become prisoners of war. Many of which would be tortured or starved by their Japanese captors.

The Battle of Dieppe The raid on Dieppe, aka Operation Jubilee The raid on Dieppe, aka Operation Jubilee August 19, 1942 August 19, 1942 Allied attack on German-occupied Port of Dieppe on the Northern coast of France Allied attack on German-occupied Port of Dieppe on the Northern coast of France American idea, thought to be ridiculous and impossible by British authorities American idea, thought to be ridiculous and impossible by British authorities Plan put through to prove to American’s that their idea was unrealistic Plan put through to prove to American’s that their idea was unrealistic Over 6,000 infantrymen (allies) Over 6,000 infantrymen (allies) Mostly Canadian soldiers instead of the British themselves Mostly Canadian soldiers instead of the British themselves The raid was undertaken without the approval of the Combined Chiefs The raid was undertaken without the approval of the Combined Chiefs Germans were not expecting the attack and their troops were outnumbered by about 3:1 Germans were not expecting the attack and their troops were outnumbered by about 3:1

Objectives of the Raid Seize and hold a major port for a short period, both to prove it was possible and to gather intelligence from prisoners and captured materials while assessing the German responses. Seize and hold a major port for a short period, both to prove it was possible and to gather intelligence from prisoners and captured materials while assessing the German responses. Assess the German’s new technologies and learn the techniques required to take over Hitler’s Atlantic Wall Assess the German’s new technologies and learn the techniques required to take over Hitler’s Atlantic Wall

Results of the Battle No major objectives of the raid were accomplished No major objectives of the raid were accomplished 3,623 of the 6,086 men who made it ashore were either killed, wounded, or captured, while the Germans only suffered 311 casualties 3,623 of the 6,086 men who made it ashore were either killed, wounded, or captured, while the Germans only suffered 311 casualties Allies lost 119 planes, Germans lost 46 of the 58 tanks used in the battle Allies lost 119 planes, Germans lost 46 of the 58 tanks used in the battle Utter failure, biggest embarrassment of the war Utter failure, biggest embarrassment of the war

Lessons Learned “I have no doubt that the Battle of Normandy was won on the beaches of Dieppe. For every man who died in Dieppe at least ten more must have been spared in Normandy in 1944.“ – Louis Mountbatten, Chief of Combined Operations “I have no doubt that the Battle of Normandy was won on the beaches of Dieppe. For every man who died in Dieppe at least ten more must have been spared in Normandy in 1944.“ – Louis Mountbatten, Chief of Combined Operations Following the Battle of Dieppe, the British created a whole new range of armoured vehicles, allowing engineers to do many of their tasks while protected Following the Battle of Dieppe, the British created a whole new range of armoured vehicles, allowing engineers to do many of their tasks while protected Improvements were made in shore-to-sea communications for future battles Improvements were made in shore-to-sea communications for future battles

← German tanks on the beach Dead Allies at the beach →

Map of Dieppe

Lessons learned at Dieppe help in planning for Juno Beach d_war/topics/1317/

Canada in North Africa

In North Africa, Canada provided no infantry. Instead the Canadians to see action in North Africa with the Royal Air Force. (RAF) In North Africa, Canada provided no infantry. Instead the Canadians to see action in North Africa with the Royal Air Force. (RAF) North Africa was a three year campaign from June 10, 1940 to May 16, North Africa was a three year campaign from June 10, 1940 to May 16, At the end of this long battle the invasion of Sicily and the Italian Campaign was prepared and the Canadian infantry would the fore-front. At the end of this long battle the invasion of Sicily and the Italian Campaign was prepared and the Canadian infantry would the fore-front.

Sicily and the Italian Campaign The invasion of Sicily started July 9, 1943 and ended August 17 of the same year. The invasion of Sicily started July 9, 1943 and ended August 17 of the same year. The Canadians who were unprepared for the Mediterranean heat and were relatively untested. The Canadians who were unprepared for the Mediterranean heat and were relatively untested. Days into the operation the Canadians were halted days into the operation. Days into the operation the Canadians were halted days into the operation.

The Italian Campaign During the Italian Campaign the Canadians acted as the Vanguard of the Commonwealth Forces. During the Italian Campaign the Canadians acted as the Vanguard of the Commonwealth Forces. Canada’s biggest involvement in the campaign was at the Moro River. Canada’s biggest involvement in the campaign was at the Moro River.

Moro River The Moro River was strategically important as it was a key point in the German Winter line. The Moro River was strategically important as it was a key point in the German Winter line. The Canadians created multiple bridgeheads across the river. The Canadians created multiple bridgeheads across the river. There were three main locations during taking of the Moro: Villa Rogatti, San Leonardo, and San Donato. There were three main locations during taking of the Moro: Villa Rogatti, San Leonardo, and San Donato. The Canadians broke the German line through San Leonardo on the ninth of December. The Canadians broke the German line through San Leonardo on the ninth of December.

The Gully This became the German line after the Canadians broke the line at the Moro River. This became the German line after the Canadians broke the line at the Moro River. The Canadians opened the fighting at the Gully by taking Vino Ridge yet further advance was halted for many days. The Canadians opened the fighting at the Gully by taking Vino Ridge yet further advance was halted for many days. The Gully would only be taken once the Germans retreated to Ortona. The Gully would only be taken once the Germans retreated to Ortona.

Ortona Dubbed “Little-Stalingrad” by the Germans it was one the bloodiest battle for the Canadians in Italy. Dubbed “Little-Stalingrad” by the Germans it was one the bloodiest battle for the Canadians in Italy. The battle was an eight day nightmare that cost 1375 soldiers. The battle was an eight day nightmare that cost 1375 soldiers. The Canadians developed a new strategy for going house to house during the battle called “Mouse-Holing” The Canadians developed a new strategy for going house to house during the battle called “Mouse-Holing”

Juno Beach Canada’s D-Day Victory – June 6, 1944 Aka the Battle for Normandy Situated between Sword Beach and Gold Beach Known as the Canadian Beach; assigned to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division Divided into three sections: Love (West sector) Mike (Middle section, controlled by the 7 th Brigade and supported by the 6th Canadian Armoured Regiment) Nan (East section, controlled by the 8 th brigade and supported by the 10 th Canadian Armoured Regiment) 9 th Brigade was in reserve

Objectives of the Battle Main objective was to assault the coast from Graye-sur-Mer to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer Main objective was to assault the coast from Graye-sur-Mer to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer Intended to later meet up with the British forces who would land on Sword Beach and take control of Caen Intended to later meet up with the British forces who would land on Sword Beach and take control of Caen

The Battle Canadian forces suffered about 50% casualty rates in the first hour Canadian forces suffered about 50% casualty rates in the first hour Advanced inland quickly after clearing the seawall (approximately one hour into battle) Advanced inland quickly after clearing the seawall (approximately one hour into battle) By noon, the entire 3 rd Canadian division was ashore and had pushed several kilometres inland to capture bridges over the Seulles River By noon, the entire 3 rd Canadian division was ashore and had pushed several kilometres inland to capture bridges over the Seulles River By 6pm they had seized the town of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer By 6pm they had seized the town of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer Before nightfall the “Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada” and the 6 th Canadian Armoured Regiment had reached their objective by gaining 15km of land and crossing the Caen-Bayeux Highway Before nightfall the “Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada” and the 6 th Canadian Armoured Regiment had reached their objective by gaining 15km of land and crossing the Caen-Bayeux Highway By the end of D-Day the 3 rd Canadian Division had moved farther into France than any other allied force By the end of D-Day the 3 rd Canadian Division had moved farther into France than any other allied force By the end of the next day, the Canadian forces had linked up with the British who had landed at Sword Beach By the end of the next day, the Canadian forces had linked up with the British who had landed at Sword Beach

Allied Forces at Juno Beach 3rd Canadian Infantry Division- Juno Beach 3rd Canadian Infantry Division- Juno Beach Mike Sector Mike Sector The Royal Winnipeg Rifles The Royal Winnipeg Rifles The Regina Rifle Regiment The Regina Rifle Regiment The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) (Victoria) The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) (Victoria) 6th Armoured Regiment (1st Hussars) (London, Ontario) 6th Armoured Regiment (1st Hussars) (London, Ontario) The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Nan Sector Nan Sector The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada (Toronto) The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada (Toronto) The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment (New Brunswick) The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment (New Brunswick) Le Régiment de la Chaudière (Quebec) Le Régiment de la Chaudière (Quebec) 10th Armoured Regiment (The Fort Garry Horse) (Winnipeg) 10th Armoured Regiment (The Fort Garry Horse) (Winnipeg) The Highland Light Infantry of Canada (Galt, Ontario) The Highland Light Infantry of Canada (Galt, Ontario) The Dundas, Stormont and Glengarry Highlanders The Dundas, Stormont and Glengarry Highlanders The North Nova Scotia Highlanders The North Nova Scotia Highlanders 27th Armoured Regiment (The Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment) 27th Armoured Regiment (The Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment) Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Support Units integrated with troops in Mike Sector and Nan Sector Support Units integrated with troops in Mike Sector and Nan Sector Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery (12th, 13th, 14th, and 19th Field Regiments) Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery (12th, 13th, 14th, and 19th Field Regiments) 7th Reconnaissance Regiment (17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars) (Montreal) 7th Reconnaissance Regiment (17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars) (Montreal) 3rd Anti-Tank Regiment 3rd Anti-Tank Regiment Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers Royal Canadian Army Service Corps Royal Canadian Army Service Corps Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps Royal Canadian Corps of Signals Royal Canadian Corps of Signals Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps

After the Battle 340 dead, 574 wounded 340 dead, 574 wounded Canadian 3 rd Division were able to land men with equipment on D-day Canadian 3 rd Division were able to land men with equipment on D-day

Fun Fact ! As Canadian soldiers landed on Juno Beach, each was given a bicycle to carry ashore, the idea being that once ashore they would cycle down the road to Caen! If only it was so easy.. Obviously the bicycles were soon discarded when they realised just how dangerous the situation was.

German prisoners captured at Juno Allied troops head for the shore Allied troops march through FranceCanadian soldiers head for the beach

Canada and the Netherlands Canada had an important role in liberating the Netherlands Canada had an important role in liberating the Netherlands Canada’s role was to open a supply route through Arnhem, and to clear enemy troops in the North-eastern, Western, and coastal areas Canada’s role was to open a supply route through Arnhem, and to clear enemy troops in the North-eastern, Western, and coastal areas 1 st Canadian Corps. transferred to Northwest Europe 1 st Canadian Corps. transferred to Northwest Europe

Northeast The Canadians gained momentum The Canadians gained momentum Key areas cleared in the campaign included: Almelo, Groningen, Ijssel River, Zutphen, Deventer, Zwolle and Leeuwarden Key areas cleared in the campaign included: Almelo, Groningen, Ijssel River, Zutphen, Deventer, Zwolle and Leeuwarden Liberated Dutch were enthusiastic towards Canadians Liberated Dutch were enthusiastic towards Canadians

Western Responsible for liberating area North of the Mass River Responsible for liberating area North of the Mass River Area was coming out of the ‘Hunger Winter’ Area was coming out of the ‘Hunger Winter’ A two day battle at Arnhem started on April 12 th A two day battle at Arnhem started on April 12 th Liberated Apledoorn April 17 th Liberated Apledoorn April 17 th On April 28 th, Fighting stopped in Western Holland On April 28 th, Fighting stopped in Western Holland 9 Days later, the war was over in Europe 9 Days later, the war was over in Europe

Diversity Gender and ethnicity based barriers were removed Gender and ethnicity based barriers were removed By the end of the war, over 45,000 women enlisted By the end of the war, over 45,000 women enlisted African Canadians were more widely accepted into the military and were given roles in which they could fight. African Canadians were more widely accepted into the military and were given roles in which they could fight. Natives could fight but they had to give up their status as registered Indians Natives could fight but they had to give up their status as registered Indians More French Canadians than first world war. More French Canadians than first world war.

Home Life Canada’s GDP doubled Canada’s GDP doubled Wage and price controls, rationing, increased taxation Wage and price controls, rationing, increased taxation Women benefited from economic changes. Women benefited from economic changes. Baby Boomers Baby Boomers