As it is 2017, Canada is 150-years-old! 150 years, that is how long our great country has stood and I am here to take you on a trip down memory lane, reminding you of five specific years in Canada’s history. And, surprise, surprise, I’ve chosen the years 1942-1947, the WW2/post war era! (Just a little background information, world war two began in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. Then, as allies with Poland, both France and Great Britain declared war on Germany. Canada, in support of Britain, declared war on Germany a few days later.)
1942- 1942 was a year of many things, but for Canadians, a big moment was in August: the Battle of Dieppe or the Dieppe Raid. It was an allied raid on the French port of Dieppe with the forces containing a majority of Canadian soldiers since Canadian war generals wanted Canadian troops to experience the war and be in on the fight. Since it was too early for Operation Overlord (D-Day), the allies planned the Dieppe Raid, which would provide lessons and experiences for the famous amphibious invasion in Normandy two years later.
For Dieppe, there were approximately 6,000 allied soldiers, 5,000 of them being Canadian. Even more interesting, Dieppe was supported by The Calgary Regiment (yes, our Calgary)! Isn’t it crazy that our city participated in, not only Canada’s but one of World War Two’s pivotal battles over 70 years ago? Unfortunately, the Dieppe Raid concluded with an Axis victory and allied casualties* reached 3,367. But despite that, Dieppe was and will continue to be a big part of Canada’s history for the sacrifices made contributed to the successful invasion of Normandy, one that ultimately helped the allies win the war. The Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery still stands today in the town of Hautôt-Sur-Mer, honouring and remembering the brave Canadian soldiers who lost their lives in service during Dieppe. It is important that we appreciate these men and women for their fearless actions.
1943- In December 1943 was the Battle of Ortona. This battle was fought between just the Canadians and the Germans on Italian grounds. It was one of Canada’s toughest battles and had cost over 2,000 casualties but resulted in a Canadian victory. The battle was apart of the Italian Campaign in which Canadian and other allied forces invaded Italy. Like the name suggests, the battle was for the town of Ortona, which was defended by the Germans. The German defence was surprising for the Canadians, leading to a week-long street war so extreme that it was nicknamed “Little Stalingrad.” The town was eventually surrendered to the Canadians, bringing an end to the rather short but deadly battle.
1944- Just one year before the ending of WW2, a great historical event took place on the sixth of June. That was the Invasion of Normandy, also known as D-Day. D-Day was the allied amphibious invasion of the French coast of Normandy, barging into Hitler’s “Fortress Europe.” It was one of the offensives that conclusively helped the allies secure victory.
For Operation Overlord (D-Day), there were five assigned beaches which American, British and Canadian troops used to invade. Canada’s beach was named Juno Beach. Around 22,000 Canadian soldiers were involved in this grand operation. After the failed Dieppe raid, this was like Canada’s comeback, and it sure was a powerful one. This key role contributed immensely to the later victory.
Like most soldiers from other countries, Canadian troops had a bunch of young men, some as young as 18 years old. It’s unbelievable that seven decades ago, men so young they should be considered kids, were risking their lives to fight for their country. The fact that they decided they wanted to storm the beaches and sacrifice themselves for our country’s safety makes me forever grateful and thankful. 359 Canadians (out of 1074 casualties) had lost their lives fighting on Juno Beach. I think as they did their duty battling for us, it should be our responsibility to make sure that they are remembered and that we commemorate them.
Let us never forget those courageous Canadians who had died during the Normandy campaign or the entire war for that matter. They will always have a place in Canadian history for what they had done to help shape our country and made Canada 150 possible.
1945- The war is over! The six-year war included over one million Canadians, 60,000 of which had lost their lives. Through World War Two, Canada had suffered but also grew stronger as a nation. It had brought us and other countries closer together and has assured that Canada is the way it’s supposed to be today. As a result of this war, the United Nations was created, an organization in which Canada is a part of.
1946-1947- The post-war era for Canada included a lot of individuality and acceptance. The war shaped Canada for the better and afterward, the country underwent some changes. Canada really started to make a name for itself and its war efforts. We began to welcome diversity, allowing us to have the numerous cultures we have in Canada today. Immigration policies were altered after the war. Canada’s economy changed and was in need of skilled immigrants who could work to benefit the Canadian economy. Canada became more open and accepting of different cultures, seeing as what prejudice could lead to. Furthermore, after the disastrous war in Europe, there were more refugees wanting to flee war-devastated countries. Also, as a part of the United Nations, Canada had dropped the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 in 1947, as the act did not follow the UN charter. From 1947 and on, it became possible for Asian immigrants to be granted Canadian citizenship.
World War Two was a cataclysmic and tragic event that plagued the world for six long, dreadful years. But, yet without it, the world would have never experienced the steep learning curve it provided. It changed Canada in many aspects. WW2 was unquestionably awful and heartbreaking, but in the end, all the bad things that had happened had caused the world to change for the better. We now have the UN, stronger interdependent nations, more recognition for human rights and the diverse Canada we know and love today.
*casualty refers to deaths, wounded and missing
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