Source Document: The Canadian Army 1939 – 1945, An Official Historical Summary, By Colonel C. P. STACEY, O.B.E., A.M., Ph.D., Director, Historical Section, General Staff, 1948.
Prélude
Often forgotten in History, the Royal Canadian Army in World War II
In the shadow of the great powers, amidst the sweeping battles of World War II, stood a force whose impact was far greater than its size might suggest: the Royal Canadian Army. Often overlooked in popular memory, the contributions of Canadian soldiers were not only significant—they were essential. From the blood-soaked beaches of Normandy (France) to the rugged mountains of Italy, from the defense of Britain to the liberation of the Netherlands, these men demonstrated remarkable courage, resilience, and determination in one of the darkest chapters in human history. At the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Canada, as part of the British Commonwealth, quickly declared war on Nazi Germany. Yet unlike the First World War, this time Canada acted as an autonomous nation. Over one million Canadians would eventually serve during the conflict, with over 730,000 in the army alone. Despite the country’s modest population, Canada mobilized one of the largest volunteer military forces relative to its size.
The Royal Canadian Army’s first major combat engagement came during the ill-fated raid on Dieppe (France) in 1942, where Canadian soldiers were sent ashore in a bold but disastrous attempt to test German Defenses along the French Coast. Nearly 60% of the Canadians involved were killed, wounded, or captured. Though the raid ended in tragedy, the hard lessons learned played a key role in the planning of the future D-Day invasion. By 1943, Canadian forces had joined the Allies in the Italian Campaign, enduring brutal fighting in places like Ortona, often dubbed ‘Little Stalingrad’, where house-to-house combat against seasoned German troops pushed Canadian infantry to the limits of their endurance. Their grit and perseverance won admiration from allies and enemies alike.
Then came June 6, 1944—D-Day. Canadian infantry forces were assigned Juno Beach one of the five landing sectors of the Normandy Coast During the night of June 5/6, Canadian paratroopers were also an active part of the 6th British Airborne Division. Facing entrenched German Defenses, Canadian troops advanced further inland on the first day than any other Allied force. The success of the Juno landing was not only a testament to strategic planning but to the bravery and discipline of the soldiers who waded through gunfire and chaos to open a path into Nazi-occupied Europe. In the months that followed, Canadian soldiers fought through the fields of Normandy, participated in the Falaise Pocket, then, later, helped liberate the Netherlands, a campaign that forged a deep, enduring bond between the two nations. In harsh winter conditions and under relentless fire, the Canadian Army played a decisive role in freeing civilians from starvation and oppression.
By the end of the war, over 45.000 Canadians had lost their lives, and 54.000 more were wounded. The Royal Canadian Army’s sacrifices helped shape the outcome of the war and defined Canada’s emergence as a respected military power. Their story, though often overshadowed by larger nations, is one of quiet heroism—a legacy of honor that deserves remembrance and recognition in the global history of World War II.
A.D.G.B – Air Defense of Great Britain
AVRE – Assault vehicle, Royal Engineers
Bde – Brigade
BEF – British Expeditionary Force
BST – British summer time
CA – Civil Affairs
CAOF – Canadian Army Occupation Force
Capt – Captain
CB – Companion of the Order of the Bath
CBE – Companion of the Order of the British Empire
Cdn – Canadian
CGS – Chief of the General Staff
C-in-C – Commander-in-Chief
CMG – Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
CMHQ – Canadian Military Headquarters, London
Col – Colonel
COSSAC – Chief of Staff, Supreme Allied Commander
COTC – Canadian Officers Training Corps
CSM – Company sergeant-major
CWAC – Canadian Women’s Army Corps
DCM – Distinguished Conduct Medal
Div – Division
DSO – Companion of the Distinguished Service Order
ED – Canadian Efficiency Decoration
FBM – Feet board measure
GCMG – Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
Gen – General
GHQ – General Headquarters
GOC – General Officer Commanding
GOC-in-C – General Officer Commanding-in-Chief
GS – General Staff
HE – High explosive
HLI (of C) – The Highland Light Infantry of Canada
HMCS – His Majesty’s Canadian Ship
HMS – His Majesty’s Ship
Hon – Honorable
Inf – Infantry
Lieut (Lt) – Lieutenant
LMG – Light machine gun
L of C – Lines of communication
Maj – Major
MBE – Member of the Order of the British Empire
MC – Military Cross
MG – Machine gun
MM – Military Medal
NCO – Non-commissioned officer
NRMA – National Resources Mobilization Act
OBE – Officer of the Order of the British Empire
PIAT – Projector, infantry, antitank
Pte – Private
RAF – Royal Air Force
RAMC – Royal Army Medical Corps
RCA – Royal Canadian Artillery
RCAF – Royal Canadian Air Force
RCAMC – Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps
RCE – Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers
RCHA – Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
RCN – Royal Canadian Navy
RCR – Royal Canadian Regiment
RDF – Radio direction finding (now called radar)
Recce – Reconnaissance or reconnoiter
RFC – Royal Flying Corps
RHLI – Royal Hamilton Light Infantry
RMC – Royal Military College
RN – Royal Navy
SAS – Special Air Service
SF – Special Force
SHAEF – Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force
Sitrep – Situation report
SS (British) – Special Service (i.e. Commando)
SS (German) – Schutzstaffeln (plural): originally elite guards of the Nazi party; later used as an independent term; fighting units of SS were known as Waffen SS
TAC – Tactical
US – United States
USA – United States Army
VC – Victoria Cross
VD – Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers Decoration
WO II – Warrant Officer, Class II
