The Canadian Armed Forces
Underappreciated Canadian Heroes of World War ll is an educated opinion of the Canadians Soldiers during WWll. Since I am not a historian I will use variable stats and data so I did not site all my numbers. Most of the numbers came from the Encyclopedia Canada website. So, even though I do not back up every bit of data please read and enjoy.
From the Beginning
Canada was a part of the English Commonwealth; Canada was involved from the start of World War II. The Canadian Armed Forces also performed active duties from the outset. Right at the start, the Navy performed convoy duty in the Northern Atlantic.
Convoys were created with many freighters, tankers, and other merchant vessels. That made it much easier to protect ships for the navies. Now, before we go on “Escort Duty” for the convoys. Well, convoy duty in. Air cover was more and more prevalent as the war progressed.
Convoy Duty
Many Underappreciated Canadian Heroes were involved. First was the Canadian Navy on convoy duty. They patrolled looking for U-boats to engage. Radar, Sonar, and ASDIC (British and Canadians system) were not very sophisticated, so they “looked. Sometimes they would see a submarine periscope, or a ship blow up, which was the first sign of the enemy.
Hunt and seek, Cat and mouse, whatever you call it, it was a long and perilous duty. And I also know that as the war went on, the Canadian navy took a more active role in convoy duty. They escorted the vital goods of life and the armies to France and other fronts.
The Canadian Encyclopedia says over 10,000 men and women, with 400 ships, served in the Navy in the war. And it was responsible for over 30 ships sunk and the continual protection from German U-Boats and surface raiders. Although the U-Boat battle was an important one, without their incredible protection, Britain probably would have come close and maybe would have starved. Thank You all.
The Underappreciated Canadian Heroes of the Canadian Army
As soon as they were able, the Underappreciated Canadian Heroes began to transport their army personnel and equipment to England. Long nights and days on an overcrowded, but not very seaworthy, vessel all the way to England were very scary.
Dieppe! I am not a Monday Quarterback, but not a fan of this move. First, I’m no expert, but I know enough to have an opinion. Dieppe, the 1942 invasion of the European mainland, I just do not understand.
The Allies felt like they learned a lot that helped on D-Day, but it seems a tough way to learn. Not only am I not an expert, but I also respect their decision makers and their decision, which, looking back costly to me, but they know better.
This small invasion was a Canadian affair, and they were all killed or captured. They were supposed to be removed back to England, but the whole invasion force was destroyed and captured. 2 Battalions of the Canadian Army fought in a hopeless defense of Hong Kong. (Canadian Encyclopedia website)
Sicily and Italy
During the invasion of Sicily, the 1st Canadian Division was alongside the British 8th Army, of course commanded by Sir Montgomery. They were involved with the invasion of southern Italy and the fight north. In southern Italy, they were involver ina wicked fight near Ortona. They also played a lead role in breaking the Adolf Hitler Line. They took a lead role in central Italy.
One of the vicious battles of the Gustav Defense Line. was at the main feature of the Gustave line, Monte Cristo. The Germans held up the Allied advance for weeks and months, and the Canadians were there. The Canadian led the breakthrough of the Gustav Line and Monte Casino, which opened the way to Rome and Northern Italy.
Normandy June 6, 1944
On June 6, 1944, the Western Allies invaded the mainland of Europe. Landing in the Normandy area of France. The invasion was divided into 5 assault beaches: 2 American, 2 British, and 1 Canadian. The Canadian 3rd Division and the 2nd Armored Brigade invaded the Code-named Juno Beach. There was a bitter fight on the beach, and as the soldiers moved inland.
During the “Breakout” from Normandy, the Canadians were on the north side of the “Falaise Gap” where they tried to close the gap. This would have isolated a mass of German soldiers. The gap was the retreat column that the Germans could retreat through.
The Canadians and Germans had a vicious battle to try to close in on the sides of the Gap. They also added another bitter battle at the Scheldt River, which was part of the fight to free the city of Antwerp, which was a very important port.
Canadian Air Force
The Canadian air force was mostly entwined with the British Commonwealth, so they were not a separate entity till late in the war. But they served in every theater. Bases in Africa, Italy, Britan and they even were involved in southern Asia and the Aleutian Islands (Alaska).
They were involved in the air campaign of bombing the German-controlled continent. They grew to 14 Squadron by the end of the war. In the war, over 200,000 served in the air force, with over 17,000 lost their lives. This is from the Encyclopedia Canada.
Awesome Underappreciated Canadian Heroes
I was just sitting around and started to think about my Canadian neighbors. I then decided to write this page. Like I said at the start of this page. I went with non-specific data because this is not a pure Historic paper.
A nig reason I wrote this is that I know World War II. My knowledge is just below a teacher’s Knowledge. I was looking at World War II picture books before I could read, and I read my first World War II book in the third grade. A book I ordered through the schoolbook program.
They brought in a list of books that you ordered through a book organization that gave children books to choose from and order. I do not think there is enough of that nowadays. But most of my data was from my knowledge, and the numbers came from the Encyclopedia Canada.
World War Two Heroes
While I respect all veterans, for me, World War II veterans are a little bit above most. Average people like my father interrupted their lives to save the world. These were not professional soldiers, just the average person on the street.
Like my father gave up a promising College Sports career, and they were glad and proud doing it. Off the street into war, just amazing. Anyways I picked Canada because their sacrifices are not well-known, but I am going to write a few other pages.
Thank you, Canadians and all WWII veterans, for the mostly peaceful world I grew up in. Well, at least not many major conflicts.
My site is here at this link. I have stories on cooking, places I’ve been, and my personal favorite, about a card game with many childhood friends that has been played almost every week for over 15 years. Awesome. Any questions about my stories or internet offers?
Thank our veterans whenever you can and remember that many countries were involved besides the major Allies, and Canada, with all its under-recognized heroes. who gave their lives for us. Thank You.