Post by ser on Dec 6, 2012 19:09:00 GMT -5
The Canadian Declaration Of War On Germany
Dominique Ukrainec
Period 4 ; History Class
Canada declared war on Germany on september 11th, 1939. One week before this, -september 3rd- a passanger liner, known as Athenia, was shot down by German submarines. 200 out of the 1500 passangers were Canadians. Several killed, including a ten-year-old child, names Margaret Hayworth, from Hamilton, Ontario. A state funeral was helf in her honor. The death of this little girl helped convince the Canadians of the Nazi threat.
Canada only had about 10'000 soldiers when the declaration was made. Due to the Depression, the Canadian government but back on the funds for military needs. In 1939 the funding was only $35 million. At this time, the army only had about 14 tanks, 29 Bren guns, 23 anti-tank rifles, and 5 small motor guns. Our navy, only 10 operational vessels, and our air force only 50 aircrafts.
Prime minister King -at this time- hoped that our involvment in this war would be limited. He sent around 40'000 troops to Britian, and had Canada act as the supplier of food and needed war materials to prove that he didn't wish to be any more involved than absolutely needed. He did not want to lose any lives, and wished to avoid conscription at any costs nessisary.
So the government created the "War Measures Act" and orders were quickly placed, so soon all factories were producing equiptment to boost the Canadian and British toops, and aircrafts. The funding was difficult, so the government introduced a new series of taxes to Canada. The War Tax. This was introduced to Canada, on the 12th of september, 1939. By the end of september, 58'000 of the men and woman in Canada, had enlisted in the Canadian forces, in anyway they could. Be it fighting on the battle front, on staying on the Home front, working in factories, stores, and any other way to keep everything up and running, while still supporting the war.
Many men that had become unemployed from the depression, were grateful for the $1.30 pay per day, as well as free food, clothes and shelter that came with being a volenter in the army. The men would do anything they could to provide for their families, so any food at home, was to be for the wives, and children. Hense being provided the free food. All these men did was train as they could, without actually being sent into battle. But if they were absolutely needed, they would be called in. Many men feared this, and stayed away from this as well, though many of the men could not affored to pass the offer.
On september 16th, the first convoy left Canada for Britian. By january, 1940, 23'000 soldiers were in England, though most all of them untrained. Hopes were high that the war would end quickly, though later events would prove to end these high hopes.
Canadas declaration of war on Germany, proves our independance at this point in time. In World War One, we were automaticly placed in the war when Britian declared it so. But during that war, and the various battles -such as Vimy Ridge- Canadians slowly started to prove our independance one step at a time. We signed the treaty ourselves, giving us the sign of independace, and showing how we "freed ourselves" from Britian, so to speak. So this time, when Canada waited, and declared war on its own, it showed that we no longer fight someone elses battle. We join when needed, and we are not a force to be reckoned with. We will help our allys, and support them, but no one can force us into battle. That is why the Canadian declaration of war on Germany, is so important in Canadian history, and why it should be taught and studied by students. To learn how we became independant.
Frederick Aikman
Born
5 Mar 1919
Country
Canada
Category
Air
Contributor:
C. Peter Chen
Frederick Alan Aikman was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1919. Until 6 Nov 1940, he was a clerk, at the rank of sergeant, in the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada militia regiment. He completed fighter pilot training on 13 Sep 1941, upon which time he was assigned to the No. 154 Squadron of the British Royal Air Force on 6 Jan 1942. He was commissioned an officer in the RAF on 22 Oct 1942. His first victory took place on 12 Nov 1942 in North Africa when he shot down a German Ju 88 aircraft. He would gain credit for 9.5 kills through Jul 1943 when he was hospitalized for malaria. He returned to Canada in Nov 1943. In early 1944, he served in a training unit based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in later that year he became a C-47 Skytrain transport aircraft pilot. He returned to front line service on 27 Sep 1944 and was assigned to No.436 Squadron on 14 Nov 1944, with which unit he would remain for the rest of the war. He returned to Canada on 23 Nov 1945 and was released from RAF service on 14 Dec.
Source: Wikipedia.
Henry Crerar
Born
28 Apr 1888
Died
1 Apr 1965
Country
Canada
Category
Ground
Contributor:
C. Peter Chen
Henry Duncan Graham Crerar was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Upon completing his schooling at the Upper Canada College, he entered the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, graduating in 1909. Between 1910 and 1912, he was a research engineer with the Hydro Electric Power Commission of Ontario. During WW1, he fought in France as a field artillery officer, earning the Distinguished Service Order and the rank of lieutenant colonel. During the inter-war years, he remained in the Canadian Army. In 1923, he attended the Camberley Staff College in England, United Kingdom, then remained in England to serve with the War Office in London. In 1929, he returned to Canada and served with the National Defence Headquarters, charged with the reorganization of the Canadian Militia. In 1934, he attended the Imperial Defence College in London, then served as the Director of Military Operations and Intelligence. In Mar 1939, he was recalled to Ottawa as political tensions mounted in Europe.
When the European War began, Crerar was in London as Brigadier General Staff at the Canadian Military Headquarters, responsible for preparing barracks and supplies in England for Canadian troops due to arrive in the near future. In Jul 1940, he returned to Ottawa as Vice Chief General Staff, and then was promoted to Chief General Staff only a few days later; in this role, he bolstered Canada's ability to recruit and train new troops. On 23 Dec 1941, in England, he was named the commanding officer of the Canadian I Corps. On 19 Aug 1942, the failure at Dieppe fell directly under his jurisdiction, as Canadian troops who participated in that assault were under his operational command. In Mar 1944, he returned to England to prepare for his new role as the commanding officer of the Canadian 1st Army.
At the helm of the 1st Army, Crerar played a major role in the Normandy campaign, particularly with the success in enclosing German troops in the Falaise Gap. In late 1944, he stepped aside to recover from illness, thus missing the action at the Scheldt Estuary. In Nov 1944, he was promoted to the rank of general. In Feb 1945, he returned to command with the 1st Army, and led the broad-front attack toward the Rhine River.
Crerar retired from Army service in 1946, and later became a diplomat to Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands, and Japan. On 25 Jun 1964, he became a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada. Crerar passed away in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Sources: Juno Beach Centre, Wikipedia.
Guy Simonds
Born
23 Apr 1903
Died
15 May 1974
Country
Canada
Category
Ground
Contributor:
C. Peter Chen
Guy Granville Simonds was born in Bury St Edmunds, England. He was the son of a British officer who brought his family to Canada. Simonds attended Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario between 1921 and 1925, and joined the Canadian Permanent Force in 1926 as an artillery specialist. After some time studying in Britain, his understanding in modern mobile warfare brought him to join the staff of his alma mater Royal Military College, and published in the Canadian Defence Quarterly. As Britain became involved in WW2, he was transferred to Britain with the Canadian 1st Infantry Division in Dec 1939. He spent some time training officers at the Canadian Junior War Staff Course.
Simonds' first combat commission was during the Allied operations at Sicily commanding the 1st Infantry Division, participating in battles at Nissoria, Agira, and Regalbuto. He was then appointed as the commander of the 5th Canadian Armored Division for his brilliance commanding both infantry and tanks at Sicily. In Jan 1944, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and was placed in charge of Canadian troops of the II Canadian Corps for the campaign in Normandy. The II Canadian Corps reached Normandy in Jul 1944, participating in various actions in the Normandy region. During the actions in Normandy, Simonds invented the "Kangaroo", a troop carrier made from carrier made for self-propelled guns. In Sep 1944, Simonds took over the 1st Canadian Army due to General H.D.G. Crerar's illness. In this role, his Canadian soldiers bravely fought a bitter campaign to clear stubborn German defenses at the Scheldt Estuary. With the mouth of the Scheldt cleared, Antwerp became a usable port capable of bringing large amounts of supplies for the Allied war effort. Montgomery called Simonds "only general fit to hold high command in war".
After WW2, Simonds joined the staff of the Imperial Defence College at Britain, then returned to the Royal Military College of Ontario in 1949 as its commander. Between 1951 and 1955, he served as the Chief of the General Staff of the Canadian Army.
Simonds passed away in Toronto in 1974.
Source: Juno Beach Centre.
Dominique Ukrainec
Period 4 ; History Class
Canada declared war on Germany on september 11th, 1939. One week before this, -september 3rd- a passanger liner, known as Athenia, was shot down by German submarines. 200 out of the 1500 passangers were Canadians. Several killed, including a ten-year-old child, names Margaret Hayworth, from Hamilton, Ontario. A state funeral was helf in her honor. The death of this little girl helped convince the Canadians of the Nazi threat.
Canada only had about 10'000 soldiers when the declaration was made. Due to the Depression, the Canadian government but back on the funds for military needs. In 1939 the funding was only $35 million. At this time, the army only had about 14 tanks, 29 Bren guns, 23 anti-tank rifles, and 5 small motor guns. Our navy, only 10 operational vessels, and our air force only 50 aircrafts.
Prime minister King -at this time- hoped that our involvment in this war would be limited. He sent around 40'000 troops to Britian, and had Canada act as the supplier of food and needed war materials to prove that he didn't wish to be any more involved than absolutely needed. He did not want to lose any lives, and wished to avoid conscription at any costs nessisary.
So the government created the "War Measures Act" and orders were quickly placed, so soon all factories were producing equiptment to boost the Canadian and British toops, and aircrafts. The funding was difficult, so the government introduced a new series of taxes to Canada. The War Tax. This was introduced to Canada, on the 12th of september, 1939. By the end of september, 58'000 of the men and woman in Canada, had enlisted in the Canadian forces, in anyway they could. Be it fighting on the battle front, on staying on the Home front, working in factories, stores, and any other way to keep everything up and running, while still supporting the war.
Many men that had become unemployed from the depression, were grateful for the $1.30 pay per day, as well as free food, clothes and shelter that came with being a volenter in the army. The men would do anything they could to provide for their families, so any food at home, was to be for the wives, and children. Hense being provided the free food. All these men did was train as they could, without actually being sent into battle. But if they were absolutely needed, they would be called in. Many men feared this, and stayed away from this as well, though many of the men could not affored to pass the offer.
On september 16th, the first convoy left Canada for Britian. By january, 1940, 23'000 soldiers were in England, though most all of them untrained. Hopes were high that the war would end quickly, though later events would prove to end these high hopes.
Canadas declaration of war on Germany, proves our independance at this point in time. In World War One, we were automaticly placed in the war when Britian declared it so. But during that war, and the various battles -such as Vimy Ridge- Canadians slowly started to prove our independance one step at a time. We signed the treaty ourselves, giving us the sign of independace, and showing how we "freed ourselves" from Britian, so to speak. So this time, when Canada waited, and declared war on its own, it showed that we no longer fight someone elses battle. We join when needed, and we are not a force to be reckoned with. We will help our allys, and support them, but no one can force us into battle. That is why the Canadian declaration of war on Germany, is so important in Canadian history, and why it should be taught and studied by students. To learn how we became independant.
Frederick Aikman
Born
5 Mar 1919
Country
Canada
Category
Air
Contributor:
C. Peter Chen
Frederick Alan Aikman was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1919. Until 6 Nov 1940, he was a clerk, at the rank of sergeant, in the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada militia regiment. He completed fighter pilot training on 13 Sep 1941, upon which time he was assigned to the No. 154 Squadron of the British Royal Air Force on 6 Jan 1942. He was commissioned an officer in the RAF on 22 Oct 1942. His first victory took place on 12 Nov 1942 in North Africa when he shot down a German Ju 88 aircraft. He would gain credit for 9.5 kills through Jul 1943 when he was hospitalized for malaria. He returned to Canada in Nov 1943. In early 1944, he served in a training unit based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in later that year he became a C-47 Skytrain transport aircraft pilot. He returned to front line service on 27 Sep 1944 and was assigned to No.436 Squadron on 14 Nov 1944, with which unit he would remain for the rest of the war. He returned to Canada on 23 Nov 1945 and was released from RAF service on 14 Dec.
Source: Wikipedia.
Henry Crerar
Born
28 Apr 1888
Died
1 Apr 1965
Country
Canada
Category
Ground
Contributor:
C. Peter Chen
Henry Duncan Graham Crerar was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Upon completing his schooling at the Upper Canada College, he entered the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, graduating in 1909. Between 1910 and 1912, he was a research engineer with the Hydro Electric Power Commission of Ontario. During WW1, he fought in France as a field artillery officer, earning the Distinguished Service Order and the rank of lieutenant colonel. During the inter-war years, he remained in the Canadian Army. In 1923, he attended the Camberley Staff College in England, United Kingdom, then remained in England to serve with the War Office in London. In 1929, he returned to Canada and served with the National Defence Headquarters, charged with the reorganization of the Canadian Militia. In 1934, he attended the Imperial Defence College in London, then served as the Director of Military Operations and Intelligence. In Mar 1939, he was recalled to Ottawa as political tensions mounted in Europe.
When the European War began, Crerar was in London as Brigadier General Staff at the Canadian Military Headquarters, responsible for preparing barracks and supplies in England for Canadian troops due to arrive in the near future. In Jul 1940, he returned to Ottawa as Vice Chief General Staff, and then was promoted to Chief General Staff only a few days later; in this role, he bolstered Canada's ability to recruit and train new troops. On 23 Dec 1941, in England, he was named the commanding officer of the Canadian I Corps. On 19 Aug 1942, the failure at Dieppe fell directly under his jurisdiction, as Canadian troops who participated in that assault were under his operational command. In Mar 1944, he returned to England to prepare for his new role as the commanding officer of the Canadian 1st Army.
At the helm of the 1st Army, Crerar played a major role in the Normandy campaign, particularly with the success in enclosing German troops in the Falaise Gap. In late 1944, he stepped aside to recover from illness, thus missing the action at the Scheldt Estuary. In Nov 1944, he was promoted to the rank of general. In Feb 1945, he returned to command with the 1st Army, and led the broad-front attack toward the Rhine River.
Crerar retired from Army service in 1946, and later became a diplomat to Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands, and Japan. On 25 Jun 1964, he became a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada. Crerar passed away in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Sources: Juno Beach Centre, Wikipedia.
Guy Simonds
Born
23 Apr 1903
Died
15 May 1974
Country
Canada
Category
Ground
Contributor:
C. Peter Chen
Guy Granville Simonds was born in Bury St Edmunds, England. He was the son of a British officer who brought his family to Canada. Simonds attended Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario between 1921 and 1925, and joined the Canadian Permanent Force in 1926 as an artillery specialist. After some time studying in Britain, his understanding in modern mobile warfare brought him to join the staff of his alma mater Royal Military College, and published in the Canadian Defence Quarterly. As Britain became involved in WW2, he was transferred to Britain with the Canadian 1st Infantry Division in Dec 1939. He spent some time training officers at the Canadian Junior War Staff Course.
Simonds' first combat commission was during the Allied operations at Sicily commanding the 1st Infantry Division, participating in battles at Nissoria, Agira, and Regalbuto. He was then appointed as the commander of the 5th Canadian Armored Division for his brilliance commanding both infantry and tanks at Sicily. In Jan 1944, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and was placed in charge of Canadian troops of the II Canadian Corps for the campaign in Normandy. The II Canadian Corps reached Normandy in Jul 1944, participating in various actions in the Normandy region. During the actions in Normandy, Simonds invented the "Kangaroo", a troop carrier made from carrier made for self-propelled guns. In Sep 1944, Simonds took over the 1st Canadian Army due to General H.D.G. Crerar's illness. In this role, his Canadian soldiers bravely fought a bitter campaign to clear stubborn German defenses at the Scheldt Estuary. With the mouth of the Scheldt cleared, Antwerp became a usable port capable of bringing large amounts of supplies for the Allied war effort. Montgomery called Simonds "only general fit to hold high command in war".
After WW2, Simonds joined the staff of the Imperial Defence College at Britain, then returned to the Royal Military College of Ontario in 1949 as its commander. Between 1951 and 1955, he served as the Chief of the General Staff of the Canadian Army.
Simonds passed away in Toronto in 1974.
Source: Juno Beach Centre.