Battles of the WW2The Dieppe Raid

Who? Canada, Britain, US vs. Germany 5000 out of 6000 were CanadianWhat? Diversionary attack on German fortifications (defences) at DieppeWhere? Theatre: France beaches of DieppeWhen? Dawn August 19th, 1942Why? Diversionary attack used to draw Hitler’s attention back to the West away from the Soviets and also to get info for a larger attack (Normandy)

Everything went wrong – 1. Bombers were delayed (soften German forces) 2. Ships delayed so troops ended up landing in the daylight 3. Troops were quickly pushed backMore Canadian losses on this day than any other. 1400 dead 2000+ captured

Battle of Hong Kong1941 BATTLE OF HONG KONG 8 – 25 December 1941 AIMS to show a symbolic Commonwealth presence in Hong Kong (14, 000 troops, nurses, volunteers) to scare off Japan get Canada more involved in war / training only so far felt no chance of attack

CANADIAN ACTION 2, 000 "C" Force: Royal Rifles of Quebec City / Winnipeg Grenadiers, 2 nurses showed a presence in Hong Kong to defend it

Battle of Hong KongOUTCOME: DISASTER Operation Hana-Saku: 50, 000 experienced Japanese soldiers - well planned attack all Canadians either killed or POW Japan air force destroy docks, barracks, RAF planes, all 5 no transport equipment - "missed the boat" no naval support (Pearl Harbour) Japan land invasion sampans crosses to Hong Kong/ human bridges Happy Valley bushes

Battle of Hong KongSIGNIFICANCE first Canadian battle showed power of Japanese – continue attacks in SE Asia POWs treatment: torture, slave labour, disease, starvation 1 in 6: legacy Japanese-Canadians

Camps

• Isolated in BC interior• Men & women separate (kids with mom)• Government held auctions to sell possessions

& homes

Class discussion

• Are there still groups of people in Canada who are not treated fairly?

• How are they treated?

• How can things be made better?

Battles of the WW2The Italian Campaign

Who ? Canada & Britain vs. Germany & ItalyWhat ? Invasion of Italy (Sicily to the main land)Where ? Theatre: Sicily and mainland ItalyWhen ? July 1943 (after defeating the Germans in North Africa)Why ? Allied offensive into Southern Europe with important Canadian involvement-Continued pressure on German defensive positions forcing them to give up territory- Little resistance until German stand in Ortona- Canadian forces `The Vandoos` distinguish themselves in battle

D-Day (Deliverance Day)June 6, 1944

• The Allied forces had been planning a cross-channel invasion of France.

• The Germans were expecting that the invasion would come from on the flat plains of Northern France. Instead, the Allies, under the direction of Gen. Eisenhower, landed five assault divisions on the coast of Normandy;

• Within 3 months, they landed two million men and a half-million vehicles that eventually broke through the German defensive lines.

D-DAY

• Operation ‘Overlord’ was the name given to the largest allied surprise attack in WWII. The purpose was to launch a massive invasion to regain control of German controlled Europe in France. Canadian forces joined the British and Americans and were assigned an Eastern section of Normandy’s beaches called ‘Juno’ beach. Canadian troops successfully took Juno Beach from German control. By the end of D-Day more than 155,000 soldiers and 6000 vehicles had landed in France. The allies successfully destroyed the defending Germans and began to move inland. This forced Germany to fight a war on two fronts.

The Last Year of the War 1944-1945

• After the breakout, Allied troops moved south and east and liberated Paris by the end of August.

• By March 1945, the Allied forces had crossed the Rhine River and advanced further into Germany.

• At the end of April 1945 the Allied forces finally linked up with the Russians.