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World War 2 Begins
The second world war is initiated by Adolf Hitler and Germany as they invade Poland. -
Canada enters WW2
Canada declares war on Germany, only one week after France and Britain. This act shows Canada's independence and loyalty to Britain. -
Canada Begins Mass Training
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan trains roughly 131,000 airmen for battle for the allies from 1940-1945. -
Canadian Women's Army Corps
Canada establishes a non-combatant unit primarily for woman to help with the war. With the main purpose of removing men from non-combatant roles so they can fight on the field. -
Canada Declares War on Romania, Finland, Hungary and Japan.
Canada and the United Kingdom declare war on three countries that recently call themselves "allies" to the German Nazis. Also known as the axis powers. -
Pearl Harbor
Japan leads a surprise attacks an American navy base in Hawaii. This led to Japanese Canadians being arrested and more than 8,000 moved to detention camps. -
Canada Declares War On Japan
Only 4 hours after the Pearl Harbor attack, Canada declares war on Japan after hearing news of this attack as well as news of Japan attacking the British colony of Hong Kong, where Canada had many troops. -
Battle of Hong Kong
Hong Kong was the first place Canadians laid arms in the second world war. Over 2,000 Canadians fought in this battle and numerous were killed or died in concentration camps over the coming years in Japan. This battle lasted for all of December -
Dieppe Raid
Over 5,000 Canadian troops fought in this battle of a Nazi occupied port. It resulted in roughly 900 Canadian soldiers demise and around 2000 taken prisoner. -
Operation Husky
Operation Husky also known as the invasion of Sicily was an attack by the allied forces that tried to push back the axis powers. It is considered Canadas first major ground combat in Europe. -
Battle of Ortona
Canadian infantry played a crucial role in this battle and their involvement. It is considered one of the most important battles in the Italian campaign. After Ortona was liberated over 5,000 Canadians were evacuated due to illness or disease. This battle was incredibly hard and well fought by the Canadian troops. -
The Battle of Normandy
The battle of Normandy , more widely known as D-Day is widely regarded as one of the most if not the most pivotal moment in the second world war. As nearly 200,000 allied troops stormed the beaches. Canada in particular stormed Juno Beach as part of Operation Overlord. The battle of Normandy killed over 425,000 allied and German troops 18,700 of which being Canadian. -
Germany Surrenders
Germany finally surrenders only 7 days after Adolf Hitler's suicide and as the Soviet Union closes in. Nearing the end of WW2, and ends the war in Europe. -
Hiroshima And Nagasaki
Two atomic bombs are dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. This attack left hundreds of thousands dead and ultimately causes the surrendering of Japan. This marks the first and last time atomic nuclear bombs are ever used in the history of our world. -
WW2 Ends
After Germany and Japan surrender WW2 is declared to have ended. This horrific, brutal and depressing event in our history has lead to the formation of the United Nations and many lessons learned from this war. Nearly 50,000 Canadians died in WW2. Canada played a very significant role in WW2 and without them ever joining the war who knows what would have happened. Canada provided heavy ground, naval and air assistance as well as provided much needed supply production and provisions.