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Netherlands
The involvement of the Netherlands in World War II began with its invasion by Nazi Germany on 10 May 1940. The Netherlands had proclaimed neutrality when war broke out in September 1939, just as it had in World War I, but Adolf Hitler ordered it to be invaded anyway.[1] On 15 May 1940, one day after the bombing of Rotterdam, the Dutch forces surrendered. The Dutch government and the royal family escaped and went into exile in London. -
Britian Battle
A significant turning point of World War II, the Battle of Britain ended when Germany's Luftwaffe failed to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force despite months of targeting Britain's air bases, military posts and, ultimately, its civilian population.
"Never so much owned by so many to so few" said Britain PM Churchill, after 25 % of the pilots in the Royal Air Force (RAF)that defeated the German Air Force.
3000 Nazi planes were shot down, so Germany could not invade Britain. -
Hong Kong Battle
Japan attacked USA at pearl Harbor Dec 7 1941. This battle is also known for "Defence of Hong Kong" and "Fall of Hong Kong". Inexperienced Canadian soldiers were protecting Hong Kong for the British. Canadian troops surrendered to Japanese Dec 25 after 17 days of fighting.Japanese had better weapons(airplanes died battleships) 290 Canadians died,500 wounded.267 Canadians died in Japanese prison camps. -
Air War
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was small in 1939, but by 1945 4th largest in the world. Canadians bombed German cities at night trying to destroy factories that made war supplies. Not very successful as many pilot died and factories were not totally destroyed. -
Dieppe
The Allies wanted to scare the Germans so they would move away fro Russia(USSR) and wanted to find out more about German coastal defences in France .They decided to have a short raid of French coastal town of Dieppe Canada’s worst defeat -900 Canadian dead, 1000 wounded. 1900 became prisoners of Germany and only 2200 returned safely to Britain. 2 years later the same mistake would not be made when attacking Normandy. France. -
Italy
Operation Husky was the beginning of the attack on Italy. Canadian soldiers were the first to take the island of Sicily.
60 Canadians were killed / injured, but they caught 650 enemy soldiers. After 1 month, Sicily was captured, but 2310 Canadians dead /wounded.
Ortona:was key city on the way to capturing Rome.Defended by the best German soldiers.Canada lost over lover 2300 men.but used “mouse-holing”technique to capture the city. Blasted holes in walls of buildings to avoid being shot by Ger -
D-Day
The Normandy landings were the landing operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II, about 14000 soldiers landed on the beach and 10000 sailors on 100 ships off the coast. Canada, USA and Britain attacked Normandy. France to take France back from the Germans. Canada was most successful at Juno Beach, but had 335 dead and 739 wounded -
Atlantic
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous military campaign in World War II, running from 1939 to the defeat of Germany in 1945.
Germany used submarine (U-boat) to sink supply ships of other countries. Canada set up convoys (groups of 50-60 supply ships) that were protected by corvettes (small fast gun boats). Safely escorted 25,000 merchant ships to Britain and 1000s to Russia. -
Europe Battle
Canada freed the Netherlands from the Nazis. Canada had 7600 dead/wounded. Canada gave food to the Dutch people who were so happy they threw flowers (tulips) at the Canadian soldiers. Germany surrendered on May 7,1945 (VE Day Victory in Europe Day).
