Major Battles of Major Battles of WWIIWWII

Battle of Britain Battle of Britain

Turning point of the warTurning point of the war First major battle to be fought entirely First major battle to be fought entirely

with air forceswith air forces The British had to prepare for “the The British had to prepare for “the

whole fury and might of the enemy” –whole fury and might of the enemy” –Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill

Hitler didn’t think sending Naval Hitler didn’t think sending Naval forces in would be smartforces in would be smart

The German Air Force outnumbered The German Air Force outnumbered the British 3 to 1the British 3 to 1

Battle of Britain- ContBattle of Britain- Cont

Germans referred to the attack as Germans referred to the attack as Operation Sea Lion.Operation Sea Lion.

Recently rescued British troops had Recently rescued British troops had little equipment and poor training, little equipment and poor training, giving Canada a significant rolegiving Canada a significant role

In July 1940, Canadians joined the 7In July 1940, Canadians joined the 7thth British Army CorpsBritish Army Corps

Canadians served in squadrons Canadians served in squadrons consisting of Hurricanes and Spitfiresconsisting of Hurricanes and Spitfires

Spitfires Hurricane

Battle of Britain- ContBattle of Britain- Cont

August 12August 12thth, 1940- German Air Force , 1940- German Air Force attacks radar stations, airfields, and attacks radar stations, airfields, and Forces Forces

Estimated 22 Aircrafts lost by RAF, Estimated 22 Aircrafts lost by RAF, 31 by Germans31 by Germans

September 7September 7thth- Massive Air Raid on - Massive Air Raid on London by Germans London by Germans

RAF: 27 GAF: 37RAF: 27 GAF: 37

Battle of Britain- PostponedBattle of Britain- Postponed

On September 17On September 17thth, 1940, Hitler , 1940, Hitler postponed Operation Sea Lionpostponed Operation Sea Lion

Bombings and other scuffles Bombings and other scuffles continued until October 31continued until October 31stst

On September 27On September 27thth, Canadians and , Canadians and RAF’s defeat the last major daylight RAF’s defeat the last major daylight attackattack

Estimated total losses- RAF: 930 Estimated total losses- RAF: 930 GAF: 1623GAF: 1623

While most Canadian soldiers fought the second world war on the While most Canadian soldiers fought the second world war on the European front, they were also involved in one of the most European front, they were also involved in one of the most infamous battles of the Pacific. infamous battles of the Pacific.

On December 8On December 8thth 1941; the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, 1941; the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese empire launched an attack on the British colony of the Japanese empire launched an attack on the British colony of Hong Kong, in an attempt to control all of southeast Asia. Hong Kong, in an attempt to control all of southeast Asia.

When Hong Kong was threatened, Canada was asked to dispatch When Hong Kong was threatened, Canada was asked to dispatch troops to defend the island. Although many said the island would troops to defend the island. Although many said the island would be difficult, if not impossible to protect, 1900 soldiers were sent be difficult, if not impossible to protect, 1900 soldiers were sent across the Pacific to take up positions around Hong Kong.across the Pacific to take up positions around Hong Kong.

In the ensuing battle, the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Winnipeg In the ensuing battle, the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Winnipeg Grenadiers (the first Canadian ground units to see action in the Grenadiers (the first Canadian ground units to see action in the Second World War) fought heroically to defend the colony.Second World War) fought heroically to defend the colony.

The Japanese attack did not take the garrison by complete The Japanese attack did not take the garrison by complete surprise; the defense forces were prepared. On the morning of surprise; the defense forces were prepared. On the morning of December 8, the entire garrison was ordered to war stations. The December 8, the entire garrison was ordered to war stations. The Canadian force was ferried across from Kowloon to the island, and Canadian force was ferried across from Kowloon to the island, and by 5 p.m. the battalions were in position. Fifteen hours before the by 5 p.m. the battalions were in position. Fifteen hours before the Japanese attacked, all Hong Kong defense forces were in position.Japanese attacked, all Hong Kong defense forces were in position.

The invasion of the island came with nightfall on December 18The invasion of the island came with nightfall on December 18thth. . The enemy launched four separate assaults across a three-The enemy launched four separate assaults across a three-kilometer front on the northern beaches of Hong Kong Island. They kilometer front on the northern beaches of Hong Kong Island. They came ashore in the face of machine-gun fire from soldiers of the came ashore in the face of machine-gun fire from soldiers of the Rajput unit who were manning the pillboxes.Rajput unit who were manning the pillboxes.

The strength of the invasion force was overwhelming, and by early The strength of the invasion force was overwhelming, and by early December 19, the Japanese had reached as far as the Wong Nei December 19, the Japanese had reached as far as the Wong Nei Chong and Tai Tam Gaps, again proving their effectiveness at Chong and Tai Tam Gaps, again proving their effectiveness at night fighting.night fighting.

On the island, the defending forces were reorganized into an East and On the island, the defending forces were reorganized into an East and West Brigade. The West Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Lawson, West Brigade. The West Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Lawson, consisted of the Royal Scots, the Winnipeg Grenadiers, the Punjab consisted of the Royal Scots, the Winnipeg Grenadiers, the Punjab unit and the Canadian signalers. The East Brigade, under Brigadier unit and the Canadian signalers. The East Brigade, under Brigadier Wallis, comprised the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Rajput unit.Wallis, comprised the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Rajput unit.

To soften the island's defenses, the Japanese directed heavy artillery To soften the island's defenses, the Japanese directed heavy artillery bombardment at the island, mounted destructive air raids, and bombardment at the island, mounted destructive air raids, and systematically shelled the pillboxes along the north shore.systematically shelled the pillboxes along the north shore.

The Japanese demanded for surrender, it was refused, but the The Japanese demanded for surrender, it was refused, but the situation was very grim. With the sinking of two British relief ships off 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, 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 there was no hope of relief, and the Chinese armies were in no position to give immediate aid. The defenders awaited assault in position to give immediate aid. The defenders awaited assault in complete isolation. complete isolation.

With both brigades isolated, it was only a matter of time before With both brigades isolated, it was only a matter of time before the island would fall. Still, the Canadian defenders fought on in the the island would fall. Still, the Canadian defenders fought on in the face of the relentless Japanese assault.face of the relentless Japanese assault.

Finally, on Christmas Day, the Canadians were forced to Finally, on Christmas Day, the Canadians were forced to surrender. Over 500 were dead and those who survived would surrender. Over 500 were dead and those who survived would become prisoners of war. Many of which would be tortured or become prisoners of war. Many of which would be tortured or starved by their Japanese captors.starved by their Japanese captors.

The Battle of DieppeThe Battle of Dieppe The raid on Dieppe, aka Operation JubileeThe raid on Dieppe, aka Operation Jubilee

August 19, 1942August 19, 1942

Allied attack on German-occupied Port of Dieppe on the Northern coast Allied attack on German-occupied Port of Dieppe on the Northern coast of Franceof France

American idea, thought to be ridiculous and impossible by British American idea, thought to be ridiculous and impossible by British authoritiesauthorities

Plan put through to prove to American’s that their idea was unrealisticPlan 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 themselvesMostly Canadian soldiers instead of the British themselves

The raid was undertaken without the approval of the Combined ChiefsThe raid was undertaken without the approval of the Combined Chiefs

Germans were not expecting the attack and their troops were Germans were not expecting the attack and their troops were outnumbered by about 3:1outnumbered by about 3:1

Objectives of the RaidObjectives of the Raid

Seize and hold a major port for a short Seize and hold a major port for a short period, both to prove it was possible period, both to prove it was possible and to gather intelligence from and to gather intelligence from prisoners and captured materials while prisoners and captured materials while assessing the German responses.assessing the German responses.

Assess the German’s new technologies Assess the German’s new technologies and learn the techniques required to and learn the techniques required to take over Hitler’s Atlantic Walltake over Hitler’s Atlantic Wall

Results of the BattleResults of the Battle

No major objectives of the raid were No major objectives of the raid were accomplishedaccomplished

3,623 of the 6,086 men who made it 3,623 of the 6,086 men who made it ashore were either killed, wounded, or ashore were either killed, wounded, or captured, while the Germans only captured, while the Germans only suffered 311 casualtiessuffered 311 casualties

Allies lost 119 planes, Germans lost 46 of Allies lost 119 planes, Germans lost 46 of the 58 tanks used in the battlethe 58 tanks used in the battle

Utter failure, biggest embarrassment of Utter failure, biggest embarrassment of the warthe war

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned ““I have no doubt that the Battle of I have no doubt that the Battle of

Normandy was won on the beaches of Normandy was won on the beaches of Dieppe. For every man who died in Dieppe Dieppe. For every man who died in Dieppe at least ten more must have been spared in at least ten more must have been spared in Normandy in 1944.“ –Normandy in 1944.“ – Louis Mountbatten, Louis Mountbatten, Chief of Combined OperationsChief of Combined Operations

Following the Battle of Dieppe, the British Following the Battle of Dieppe, the British created a whole new range of armoured created a whole new range of armoured vehicles, allowing engineers to do many of vehicles, allowing engineers to do many of their tasks while protectedtheir tasks while protected

Improvements were made in shore-to-sea Improvements were made in shore-to-sea communications for future battlescommunications for future battles

← German tanks on the beach

Dead Allies at the beach →

Map of DieppeMap of Dieppe

Lessons learned at Dieppe Lessons learned at Dieppe help in planning for Juno help in planning for Juno

BeachBeachhttp://archives.cbc.ca/war_conflict/http://archives.cbc.ca/war_conflict/

second_world_war/topics/1317/second_world_war/topics/1317/

Canada in North Canada in North AfricaAfrica

In North Africa, In North Africa, Canada provided no Canada provided no infantry. Instead the infantry. Instead the Canadians to see Canadians to see action in North Africa action in North Africa with the Royal Air with the Royal Air Force. (RAF)Force. (RAF)

North Africa was a North Africa was a three year campaign three year campaign from June 10, 1940 to from June 10, 1940 to May 16, 1943.May 16, 1943.

At the end of this long At the end of this long battle the invasion of battle the invasion of Sicily and the Italian Sicily and the Italian Campaign was Campaign was prepared and the prepared and the Canadian infantry Canadian infantry would the fore-front. would the fore-front.

Sicily and the Italian Sicily and the Italian CampaignCampaign

The invasion of Sicily started July 9, The invasion of Sicily started July 9, 1943 and ended August 17 of the 1943 and ended August 17 of the same year.same year.

The Canadians who were The Canadians who were unprepared for the Mediterranean unprepared for the Mediterranean heat and were relatively untested.heat and were relatively untested.

Days into the operation the Days into the operation the Canadians were halted days into the Canadians were halted days into the operation.operation.

The Italian CampaignThe Italian Campaign

During the Italian During the Italian Campaign the Campaign the Canadians acted as Canadians acted as the Vanguard of the the Vanguard of the Commonwealth Commonwealth Forces.Forces.

Canada’s biggest Canada’s biggest involvement in the involvement in the campaign was at the campaign was at the Moro River.Moro River.

Moro RiverMoro River

The Moro River was strategically important as The Moro River was strategically important as it was a key point in the German Winter line.it was a key point in the German Winter line.

The Canadians created multiple bridgeheads The Canadians created multiple bridgeheads across the river.across the river.

There were three main locations during There were three main locations during taking of the Moro: Villa Rogatti, San taking of the Moro: Villa Rogatti, San Leonardo, and San Donato.Leonardo, and San Donato.

The Canadians broke the German line through The Canadians broke the German line through San Leonardo on the ninth of December.San Leonardo on the ninth of December.

The GullyThe Gully

This became the German line after This became the German line after the Canadians broke the line at the the Canadians broke the line at the Moro River.Moro River.

The Canadians opened the fighting The Canadians opened the fighting at the Gully by taking Vino Ridge yet at the Gully by taking Vino Ridge yet further advance was halted for many further advance was halted for many days.days.

The Gully would only be taken once The Gully would only be taken once the Germans retreated to Ortona.the Germans retreated to Ortona.

OrtonaOrtona

Dubbed “Little-Stalingrad” by the Dubbed “Little-Stalingrad” by the Germans it was one the bloodiest Germans it was one the bloodiest battle for the Canadians in Italy.battle for the Canadians in Italy.

The battle was an eight day The battle was an eight day nightmare that cost 1375 soldiers.nightmare that cost 1375 soldiers.

The Canadians developed a new The Canadians developed a new strategy for going house to house strategy for going house to house during the battle called “Mouse-during the battle called “Mouse-Holing”Holing”

Juno BeachJuno Beach

Objectives of the BattleObjectives of the Battle

Main objective was to assault the Main objective was to assault the coast from Graye-sur-Mer to Saint-coast from Graye-sur-Mer to Saint-Aubin-sur-MerAubin-sur-Mer

Intended to later meet up with the Intended to later meet up with the British forces who would land on British forces who would land on Sword Beach and take control of Sword Beach and take control of CaenCaen

The BattleThe Battle Canadian forces suffered about 50% casualty rates in Canadian forces suffered about 50% casualty rates in

the first hourthe first hour Advanced inland quickly after clearing the seawall Advanced inland quickly after clearing the seawall

(approximately one hour into battle)(approximately one hour into battle) By noon, the entire 3By noon, the entire 3rdrd Canadian division was ashore Canadian division was ashore

and had pushed several kilometres inland to capture and had pushed several kilometres inland to capture bridges over the Seulles Riverbridges over the Seulles River

By 6pm they had seized the town of Saint-Aubin-sur-By 6pm they had seized the town of Saint-Aubin-sur-MerMer

Before nightfall the “Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada” Before nightfall the “Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada” and the 6and the 6thth Canadian Armoured Regiment had Canadian Armoured Regiment had reached their objective by gaining 15km of land and reached their objective by gaining 15km of land and crossing the Caen-Bayeux Highwaycrossing the Caen-Bayeux Highway

By the end of D-Day the 3By the end of D-Day the 3rdrd Canadian Division had Canadian Division had moved farther into France than any other allied forcemoved farther into France than any other allied force

By the end of the next day, the Canadian forces had By the end of the next day, the Canadian forces had linked up with the British who had landed at Sword linked up with the British who had landed at Sword BeachBeach

Allied Forces at Juno Allied Forces at Juno BeachBeach

3rd Canadian Infantry Division- Juno Beach3rd 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 SignalsRoyal Canadian Corps of Signals Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps

After the BattleAfter the Battle

340 dead, 574 wounded340 dead, 574 wounded Canadian 3Canadian 3rdrd Division were able to Division were able to

land 22 000 men with equipment on land 22 000 men with equipment on D-dayD-day

Fun Fact !Fun Fact !

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

German prisoners captured at Juno Allied troops head for the shore

Allied troops march through France Canadian soldiers head for the beach

Canada and the Canada and the NetherlandsNetherlands

Canada had an important role in Canada had an important role in liberating the Netherlandsliberating the Netherlands

Canada’s role was to open a supply Canada’s role was to open a supply route through Arnhem, and to clear route through Arnhem, and to clear enemy troops in the North-eastern, enemy troops in the North-eastern, Western, and coastal areasWestern, and coastal areas

11stst Canadian Corps. transferred to Canadian Corps. transferred to Northwest EuropeNorthwest Europe

NortheastNortheast

The Canadians gained momentum The Canadians gained momentum Key areas cleared in the campaign Key areas cleared in the campaign

included: Almelo , Groningen, Ijssel included: Almelo , Groningen, Ijssel River, Zutphen, Deventer, Zwolle River, Zutphen, Deventer, Zwolle and Leeuwarden and Leeuwarden

Liberated Dutch were enthusiastic Liberated Dutch were enthusiastic towards Canadianstowards Canadians

WesternWestern

Responsible for liberating area North of the Responsible for liberating area North of the Mass RiverMass River

Area was coming out of the ‘Hunger Area was coming out of the ‘Hunger Winter’Winter’

A two day battle at Arnhem started on April A two day battle at Arnhem started on April 1212thth

Liberated Apledoorn April 17Liberated Apledoorn April 17thth On April 28On April 28thth, Fighting stopped in Western , Fighting stopped in Western

HollandHolland 9 Days later, the war was over in Europe9 Days later, the war was over in Europe

DiversityDiversity

Gender and ethnicity based barriers were Gender and ethnicity based barriers were removedremoved

By the end of the war, over 45,000 women By the end of the war, over 45,000 women enlistedenlisted

African Canadians were more widely African Canadians were more widely accepted into the military and were given accepted into the military and were given roles in which they could fight.roles in which they could fight.

Natives could fight but they had to give up Natives could fight but they had to give up their status as registered Indianstheir status as registered Indians

More French Canadians than first world war. More French Canadians than first world war.

Home LifeHome Life

Canada’s GDP doubledCanada’s GDP doubled Wage and price controls, rationing, Wage and price controls, rationing,

increased taxationincreased taxation Women benefited from economic Women benefited from economic

changes.changes. Baby BoomersBaby Boomers