Canada: A People's History - Episode 14 - The Crucible

 Part of the CBC's Canada: A People's History. This episode covers the period in question.

The Devil's Brigade - The Canadians Arrive

 Not to put too fine a point on it, but the Canadian troops were much more disiplined and trained. They also had pride, esprit de corps, and a proud military heritage. We were not pompous, but if you pushed us, we pushed back. Sort of like in a fight, if you hit a small guy, he'll kill ya.

A Bridge Too Far - The German "Surrender"

 My grandfather was not part of Operation Market Garden, but was in Holland. This is just the sort of pluck that Commonwealth forces used against the Germans. It was so sad that this war had to take place. The only Canadian units to take part was the First Canadian Parachute Battalion, as well as Princes Louise Fusiliers from Halifax, Nova Scotia

Atholl Highlanders

 Thanks to Mr. Robitza. This was one of the marches of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders

BBC Wartime Farm episode 3 FULL

 Thanks to Maddie Gillet

Dieppe, France, August 19, 1942

August 19 was my parents wedding anniversary. However, for my grandfather, he would also always remember sitting on a beach, watching the Canadian units sail out to try and raid a German held port.

He then spent many weeks sorting out the equipment of those who didn't come back. Those killed, and those who went into POW camps.

I remember he told me once about finding a rail box car filled with socks and other clothing. It was close to lunch time. They simply closed it up and went off for a bite of grub. When they got back, all that was left was ONE SOCK!

Thanks to Clive for the art work. The Churchill tank was that used by the King's Own Calgary Regiment. One of the ill fated units sent to hit the beach. The beach was a pebble one, which meant that most of the tanks could not move up the beach.

Axis and Allies Europe

This board game gives a good overview of what the European theatre of operations looked like about 1941. I first purchased this game in Bangor Maine back in 1987.


I have since bought a pirated copy known as World at War and two further Axis and Allies games
Axis and Allies Europe and Axis and Allies Pacific.


When I get the chance to add more pictures, I shall do so.

Halifax, Warden of the North and the battle of the Atlantic

My grandfather would have found Halifax a very wartime city. Halifax was THE east coast port for Atlantic convoys to Europe.

The Royal Canadian Navy was hard pressed to protect these convoys against the Kriegsmarine. Das Underseaboot.

 pieces of German torpedo washed up on Canadian beaches (www.cmhg.gc.ca)

Officer, Royal Canadian Navy RCN (www.cmhg.gc.ca)
RCN Wren 1943 (www.cmhg.gc.ca)

 HMCS Sackville, the Last Flower class Corvette which still calls Halifax home. (www.cmhg.gc.ca)
 HMCS Minotaur (www.cmhg.gc.ca)