Canada Goes to War

The Second World War began at dawn on September 1, 1939, as the German Armies swept into Poland.

With the full fury of the blitzkrieg - the lightning war - the German armoured (Panzer) divisions destroyed Polish defenses in the west.

The Soviet troops, as previously agreed with Germany, crossed the eastern frontier. Trapped between two advancing armies Polish resistance ended. Poland surrendered.

German troops parade through Warsaw after the surrender of Poland. September 28-30, 1939.

Declaring War

Declaring War The Athenia, a passenger ship carrying more than

500 Canadians was sunk by German U-boats (submarines), hours after Britain declared war on Germany (112 civilians were killed)

Canada declared war on Germany on Sept 10,1939.

Anti-German sentiments and pro-British sentiments ran high.

Quebecers supported our entry into war based on King’s promise that conscription would not be necessary.

Technology WWII employed new technologies that made this

war radically different than WWI. Planes were mainly for reconnaissance during

WWI, but used heavily for bombing in WWII. No man’s land, a grim reality in WWI, virtually

disappeared with better tanks and faster, more improved weapons.

Radar, bazookas, long range bombers, submarines and tanks changed warfare.

Divisions of Effort In WWI, those who enlisted joined the army, in

WWII three services existed; the army, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Royal Canadian Navy.

All three divisions enlisted men and women for duty at home and overseas.

The Army

Royal Canadian Air Force

Royal Canadian Navy