Short Canadian Second World War Timeline

Alright here is a time-line, a little of my own, little Copyed off websites.

1940

Hitler invades Poland with a Blitzkrieg, or lightening war at 5:30 AM. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, signed between Russia and Germany, ensures Hitler's army entered Poland without opposition from Stalin. Poland surrenders. France and Britain uphold their obligation to the country and ask Hitler to withdraw his troops. On September 2, Hitler continues his attack, having now bombed over 21 Polish cities. The following day, the British ultimatums run out at 11 AM. Later on September 3, the French ultimatum also expires and both countries declare war on Germany. Canada maintains its neutrality for the first week of the war, waiting until September 10 to join the Allied cause. In December, men belonging to units of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division sail for Britain.

 

1940
SORRY MEANT 1939 on last post.

October 1939-April 1940

After Hitler's initial invasion of Poland, Allied countries prepared for total war to begin. The fighting stagnated after the Polish invasion, and did not begin again until April 1940, when Hitler attacked Denmark and Norway.

May 10th

The European war began in full force on May 10, 1940 when German troops invaded France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland. Luxembourg does not refuse the Nazi occupation. On May 14, Holland falls; Belgium surrenders on May 27.
The French troops were unable to stop the Germans as they advanced through the Ardennes Forest, avoiding the Maginot Line and reaching the channel ports. The German army marches into Paris on June 14. By June 22, the Battle of France is over as when the country signed an armistice with Germany and surrenders.

The soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force stationed in France are evacuated. Canada becomes Britain's most powerful ally.

Battle of Britain

Canada now has two divisions and air squadrons in Britain, and prepare for the "Battle of Britain"
German forces turned their powerful Luftwaffe force toward Britain in order to pave the way for Hitler's invasion, dubbed Operation Sea Lion. The battle takes place exclusively in the air as Hermann Göering's forces bomb British targets for over nine months. Only after Hitler changes tactics to start bombing during the day can the RAF claim a narrow victory. Helping the Allies along is the fact that the Luftwaffe must travel extremely long distances in order to bomb its targets. The RAF fights over their homeland, ensuring pilots can bail out and still be safe. Also, radar now guides British fighters to German aircraft. British intelligence has also been able to crack the Enigma code system. On September 17, Hitler cancels Operation Sea Lion. By May 1941, 35,000 tons of German bombs will have dropped on Britain; London itself received 18,800 tons. Hitler's decision to invade the USSR and retract Operation Sea Lion would become one of the turning points in the war.

 

1941
Canada now is a world power, fighting around the world.

RAF and RCAF begin bombing Nazi occupied Europe in a new campaign, RCAF and RAF suffer heavy losses.

February 12th

Rommel's well-trained Afrika Korps lands in Libya. On March 28, he begins his offensive. Capturing Tobruk, the British dig in for a long complicated battle. The war in North Africa continues until the second battle of El Alamein, when Rommel's forces retreated on November 4, 1942.
Canada shifts bomber squadrons to Africa to help with the battleing allies, and sends RCN ships to the Med. Canada is yet to send major number of the army to Africa

CANADA REINFORCES HONG KONG

December 7th
Japanese forces attack the US forces at Pearl Harbor. By air and by sea, they manage to almost completely obliterate the Pacific fleet. Japan declares war on Britain + Commonwealth, USA is still not at war with Germany.

December 8th
The Canadian-Commonwealth stronghold is attacked by Japan, Japanese forces take control.

December 11th
Hitler declares war on the USA, Now Britain, Canada, USA, Soviet Union, Australia, New Zeland, other Commonwealth, are at war with Germany, Italy, Romania, and Hungary.

 

1942
Americans Arrive
First Americans arrive in Britain.

February 11th
President Roosevelt approves the plan to build the Alaskan Highway to defend the Pacific coast. Construction begins on the highway in March. In just eight months, the Alcan Military Highway is complete, running 2333 kilometres from Dawson Creek, British Columbia to Big Delta, Alaska. In 1943, the road was improved for all-weather travel, and extended to Fairbanks, Alaska.

August
5000 Canadians +1000 Brit-US troops attack the French port of Dieppe. Germans hold. (see forum on Dieppe if interested)

Canada now has a Home Army mostly posted on the Pacific Coast, First Canadian Army in Britain, and 1st Division in North Africa. The Airforce and Navy is spread across the world.

 

Thats it for tonight ill add tomorow.

 

1943

1st Canadian Army Tank Brigade is sent to join the 1st Division in looting out remaining Axis forces in the desert and for an invasion of Italy.

Victorious in Desert May 12th
Axis forces pull out of the desert at their final battle at Tunisia.

Allies invade Italy July 10th
Allies land in Sicily. 1st Division+1st Army Tank Brigade finish all early objectives, and are on all landing beaches by 0530 of D-day quickly secture Town+AFB of Pachino.
Canada continues up Italy, fighting in many vital battles and winning, including the breaking of the Hitler line and Orontona.


Canada now has its economy in full gear producing 400 tanks, 1000 armoured veichles, 20 ships, and 80 planes on average per month.

 

Don't forget the Dambusters Raid with 29 Canadian aircrew involved....

 

Good stuff, but one comment to make only...

War stagnating after Poland, and a few other referencees to what we call the Phoney war period.

Ill repeat what many said at the time and afterwards, there was no phoney war at sea, no stagnation for the guys at sea.

They above all others at that time knew there was a war on, the men of naval services and merchant marines.

 

I believe there was no phoney war, I copy-pasted that, It definetly was no phoney war for Canada in the Atlantic. I quit on this one so I could starrt one that is actually half decent.

 

I believe there was no phoney war, I copy-pasted that, It definetly was no phoney war for Canada in the Atlantic. I quit on this one so I could starrt one that is actually half decent.