Canada WW2 Timeline

  • Canada Declares War on Germany

    Canada Declares War on Germany
    Canada joins the Allies, one week after Britain. This marked Canada’s independent decision, showing growing sovereignty. The historical thinking concept is historical significance.
  • BCATP (British Commonwealth Air Training Plan)

    BCATP (British Commonwealth Air Training Plan)
    Canada trains over 130,000 aircrew from Allied nations, becoming the Aerodrome of Democracy. The historical thinking concept cause and consequence.
  • Hyde Park Agreement with the U.S.

    Hyde Park Agreement with the U.S.
    Canada and the U.S. agree to coordinate military production, preventing economic imbalance.
  • War Industry Boom

    War Industry Boom
    Canada’s factories switch to war production: vehicles, weapons, ships, and aircraft. Women enter the workforce in large numbers.
  • Battle of Hong Kong

    Battle of Hong Kong
    Nearly 2,000 Canadian soldiers defend the British colony of Hong Kong against Japanese forces. The battle ends in defeat, and many Canadians are taken as prisoners of war. The Historical thinking concept was Cause and Consequence.
  • Construction of the Alaska Highway

    Construction of the Alaska Highway
    Built by Canadian and American troops to defend against a potential Japanese invasion. Strengthened North American defense cooperation.
  • Dieppe Raid

    Dieppe Raid
    A disastrous raid on Dieppe, France, involving nearly 5,000 Canadians. It results in heavy losses but provides valuable lessons for future Allied invasions. The historical thinking concept is Evidence.
  • Invasion of Sicily

    Invasion of Sicily
    Canada plays a key role in this successful Allied invasion of Italy, marking the beginning of the Italian Campaign.
  • D-Day

    D-Day
    Canadian troops storm Juno Beach in Normandy, France, as part of the Allied invasion. They push further inland than any other Allied force.
  • Victory in Europe

    Victory in Europe
    Germany surrenders. Over 1 million Canadians served, with more than 45,000 killed or wounded.
  • Sources

    1,Carson-Hayward Institute
    2,Veterans Affairs Canada.
    3,Library and Archives Canada.
    4,J.L. Granatstein. Canada’s War
    5,Canadian War Museum