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1939
September 10: Canada declares war on Germany, entering World War II alongside Britain and other Commonwealth countries. -
1940
May 10: Battle of France begins. Canadian troops participate in the defense of France against the German invasion. -
1940
May 26: Evacuation of Dunkirk. Canadian soldiers are among the Allied forces involved in the evacuation of British and French troops from the beaches of Dunkirk. -
1942
August 19-25: Dieppe Raid. Canadian forces participate in a large-scale amphibious assault on the French port of Dieppe. The raid is primarily intended to test German defenses but resulted in heavy casualties for the Allied forces. -
1943
July 10: Invasion of Sicily. Canadian troops, alongside other Allied forces, participate in the invasion of Sicily as part of Operation Husky, marking Canada's first major action in the European theater. -
1944
June 6: D-Day. Canadian troops are heavily involved in the Allied invasion of Normandy, landing on Juno Beach. Their successful capture of key objectives helps secure a foothold in Europe. -
1944
July 25-August 3: Battle of Caen. Canadian forces play a significant role in the intense battle to capture the city of Caen, an important strategic objective in Normandy. -
1944
September 1-12: Battle of the Scheldt. Canadian and British forces launch a major offensive to clear the Scheldt Estuary in Belgium, opening the vital port of Antwerp to Allied shipping. -
1945
February 23-March 3: Battle of the Rhineland. Canadian forces participate in the final push to cross the Rhine River, a significant milestone in the Allied advance into Germany. -
1945
April 25: Liberation of the Netherlands. Canadian troops, particularly the First Canadian Army, are instrumental in liberating the Netherlands from German occupation. The Dutch people express their gratitude to Canada with the gift of thousands of tulips, leading to the annual Tulip Festival in Canada. -
Bonus
Throughout the war, Canada also made significant contributions to the Allied war effort through its industrial and logistical support:
- Canadian factories ramp up production of military equipment, including tanks, artillery, aircraft, and ships, helping to supply the Allies with much-needed resources.
- Canadian shipyards produce numerous warships, merchant vessels, and landing craft, contributing to the Allied naval strength. -
Bonus
- The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, based in Canada, trains thousands of pilots from Canada, Britain, and other Commonwealth countries, playing a crucial role in maintaining Allied air superiority.