Canada's Involvement in WWII

Canada's Involvement in World War II

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Canada was still a very important part of the British Empire, and was unequivocally expected to join in the Empire's war effort. Instead of declaring war on Germany on September 3rd, 1939, the Canadian government waited a full week before declaring war on the German nation. This was the first of many "nation-building" experiences for Canadians in the war period.

Canadian Casualties in World War II - Major Campaigns

Campaign	Wounded	Prisoners	Killed	Total
Hong Kong	493	347	203	1043
Dieppe	514	1946	907	3367
Sicily	664	84	5900	25264
Italy			5900	25264
Normandy (D-Day only)			359	1074
Rhineland			5304	?

Cemeteries much like the one shown are common throughout Europe. Many Canadian soldiers were killed in action in Europe, and their bodies were buried there.

Facts about Canada's involvement:

Throughout World War II, over 1 million Canadians (and Newfoundlanders) served in either the Army, Navy or Air Force. Of these, over 45,000 were killed, and another 55,000 wounded.
After World War II, Canada could boast the world's fourth largest navy, and fourth largest air force.
The navy began the war with six destroyers, five minesweepers and two vessels used specifically for training. In 1945, Canada's Navy had 373 fighting ships, and 113,000 personnel.
In 1939, the RCAF was Canada's smallest service at 3,100 personnel, but by 1945, over 249,500 Canadians had served.
Canada played a vital part in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. In the six years of the war, over 131,553 personnel were trained in Canada, and roughly 55% were Canadians.
In September 1939, 58,337 men and women enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces
The Royal Canadian Navy played an integral role in the Battle of the Atlantic, despite only having 3,000 men in 1939.
During the Sicily campaign, the Canadians advanced 150 miles - farther than any other formation of the Eighth British Army.
Nearly 14,000 Canadians took part in the initial D-Day invasion.
In February 1945, the First Canadian Army, which was supplemented with Allied troops, suffered 15,634 casualties, including 5,304 Canadians.
Almost 80,000 Canadians volunteered for the Navy's Pacific Forces, but their services were not needed as the war ended before the 60 ships and 13,500 men were deployed.
The Royal Canadian Navy is credited with 27 U-boat kills in the Atlantic Ocean.
As a result of two World Wars, there are 109,980 Canadians killed. They are honoured by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at sites in over 70 countries.