Canada’s Involvement During World War Two

1. Canada’s Involvement During World War Two A Brief Introduction

2. Canada’s Initial Role • Canadian Prime Minister MacKenzie King was “Isolationist”. • He didn’t want Canada to get involved in the wars of Europe during the late 1930s

3. Franco and Mussolini • Mussolini invaded Abyssinia (Ethopia) in 1935. • The League of Nations wanted to impose sanctions but King said “no!” • The Spanish Civil War erupted in 1936-39. Canada’s policy was not to stand up to either one of these Fascist dictators (Franco, Mussolini) Bunito Mussolini Franciso Franco

4. Norman Bethune • Dr. Norman Bethune did get involved in the Spanish Civil War to “stop the fascists of Franco”. • He aided the Communists in this war and would later become famous for inventing blood transfusions. Famous Canadian Doctor, Dr. Norman Bethune did get involved

5. The Invasion of Poland • On Sept 1st, 1939, the German Army invades Poland. • On Sept 3rd, France and Britain declare war on Germany • Canada declares war one week later on Sept. 10th, 1939. Why? The Blitz over Poland in 1939 German Troops march into Warsaw, Poland

6. The Axis and the Allies The Allies • Great Britain (Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa too) • France • Canada • Russia • The United States (After 1941 British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, American President Franklin D. Roosevelt, And Russian President Joseph Stalin

7. The Axis and the Allies The Axis Powers: • Germany • Italy • Japan Italian Leader Mussolini with German leader Adolf Hitler

8. The Battle of Hong Kong • After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour, they attacked Hong Kong (A British Colony) • Many knew that Hong Kong was impossible to defend. • More than 1,900 Canadians volunteered to defend Hong Kong. They were considered to be “Lambs to the Slaughter” • More than 550 Canadians were killed. The rest were taken prisoner by the Japanese. The Canadians defend Hong Kong in 1941

9. Dieppe • Of the 5,000 Canadians who stormed the beaches at Dieppe, France: • 900 Killed, 3,300 casualties • 1,900 soldiers were taken prisoner. • In a word, Dieppe was a disaster Churchill Tank never made It off the beach

10. Dieppe The steep cliffs and Beach at Dieppe, France

11. Dieppe The Planned invasion of Dieppe

12. Dieppe • Why was Dieppe a Disaster? • Was there anything gained from this military disaster? • Did Dieppe make D-Day a success?

13. The Italian Campaign Canadian Forces Landed with American And British Forces at Sicily and moved Northward towards Ortona, Italy

14. The Battle of Ortona • In 1943, American, Canadian and British forces landed on the Italian Island of Sicily. • Canadian Troops moved North eventually making it to Italian city of Ortona where they met heavy German resistance. • The Canadians fought well at Ortona. However, it was at a great cost: • 502 dead and 1,873 wounded. • In Italy, 6,000 Canadians died

15. The Battle of Ortona Street Warfare: Typical “Guerilla” type battle Conditions during the Battle of Ortona

16. D-Day • D-Day was launched on June 6th, 1944 • 5,000 ships crossed the English Channel • 107,000 troops stormed the beaches at Normandy, France. • 14,000 Canadian troops landed at Normandy at Juno Beach. • 110 Canadian warships took part Troops Landing at Normandy, France

17. D-Day

18. D-Day • Canadian Troops were the left flank of the coordinated Allied attack at Normandy. • After securing the beachhead, Canadian troops advanced eastward and were eventually successful in liberating Holland in the Spring of 1945. • Canadian war veterans are still honored in Holland for the essential role they played in the liberation of their country Landing at D-Day

19. Canada’s Commitment: The Facts • Over 1 Million Canadians served in World War Two • 45,000 Canadians were killed • 55,000 were seriously wounded