The 2nd Canadian Infantry Division was an infantry division of the First Canadian Army, mobilized on 1 September 1939 at the onset of the Second World War. Initially composed of volunteers within brigades established along regional lines, a halt in recruitment in the early months of the war caused a delay in the formation of brigade and divisional headquarters. With questions concerning overseas deployment resolved, the division's respective commands were formed in May and June 1940, and the division was deployed to the United Kingdom between 1 August and 25 December 1940. Elements of the 2nd Division were selected as the main force for Operation Jubilee, a large-scale amphibious raid on the port of Dieppe in German-occupied France (casualties pictured). Following a period of reconstruction and retraining from 1942 to 1944, the division joined II Canadian Corps as part of the Second British Army for the Allied Invasion of Normandy. Joining the newly activated headquarters of the First Canadian Army in the assault on northwestern Europe, the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division played a significant role in the retaking of the Channel ports, the Battle of the Scheldt, and the liberation of the Netherlands. (more...)
Recently featured: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – RNA interference – Hod Stuart