2nd Canadian Division

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2nd Canadian Division
Active 1915-1919
1 September 1939-1945
Country Canada
Allegiance Allies
Branch Canadian Expeditionary Force
Type Infantry
Engagements World War I
-Somme
-Vimy Ridge
-Passchendaele
World War II
-Dieppe
-Normandy
-Scheldt
Commanders
Current
commander		 n/a

The 2nd Canadian Division was an infantry formation that saw service in the 20th century in both world wars.

Contents

[edit] World War I

The 2nd Canadian Division formed part of the Canadian Corps during World War I.

The formation of the 2nd Canadian Division began in May of 1915 in Britain following the arrival of a large contingent of soldiers from Canada. The Division remained in Great Britain only a short time before embarking for France in September of 1915. Under the command of Major-General R.E.W. Turner, its members spent a long and bitterly cold winter in a Belgian section of the front between Ploegsteert Wood and Saint-Eloi, south of Ypres. Infantry units as well as artillery units of the 2nd Canadian Division served in both France and Flanders until Armistice Day.

[edit] Infantry Units

4th Canadian Brigade: (Formed after the original 4th Brigade was dispersed)

5th Canadian Brigade:

  • 22nd (Canadien Francais) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 21, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
  • 24th (Victoria Rifles) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 22, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
  • 25th (Nova Scotia) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 28, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
  • 26th (New Brunswick) Battalion Canadian Infantry. November 2, 1914 - November 11, 1918.

6th Canadian Brigade

Pioneers:

  • 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion. March 1916 - June 1917. To the 2nd Canadian Engineer Brigade.

[edit] Battles and Engagements on the Western Front:

1916:

1917:

1918:

  • First Battle of Arras - March 28
  • Battle of Amiens - August 8-11
  • Actions round Damery - August 15-17
  • Battle of the Scarpe - August 26-30
  • The Pursuit to the Selle - October 9-12
  • Passage of the Grande Honelle - November 5-7

[edit] World War II

As war approached, the 2nd Canadian Division was re-activated on September 1 1939. It remained at home until July 1940 when elements assisted with the allied occupation of Iceland. During late 1940, the division assembled in Scotland.

In 1942, it formed the bulk of the allied forces that attempted the Dieppe. The engagement was a disaster and the division suffered 65% casualties, comparable with those incurred on the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916. It ceased to be an effective formation for some time.

The rebuilt 2nd Division once again landed in France on July 7 1944, to reinforce Canadian and allied forces in Normandy.

After the breakout from Normandy, the Division advanced along the coast through France and Belgium, capturing enemy installations and liberating ports when feasible and containing the German defenders when necessary. They received an enthusiastic welcome in Dieppe. They were part of the Canadian Army's assault on the Scheldt coast.

[edit] Order of Battle (July 1942)

8th Recce Regiment (14th Canadian Hussars)
The Toronto Scottish Regiment M-G
4th, 5th, 6th Field Regiments, RCA
2nd Anti-Tank Regiment, RCA
3rd Light AA Regiment, RCA
2nd, 7th, 11th Field Companies, RCE
1st Field Park Company, RCE

4th Canadian Infantry Brigade

The Royal Regiment of Canada
The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry
The Essex Scottish

5th Canadian Infantry Brigade

1st Battalion, The Black Watch of Canada
Le Regiment de Maisonneuve
The Calgary Highlanders

6th Canadian Infantry Brigade

The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada
The South Saskatchewan Regiment
Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal

[edit] External references

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Infantry divisions of Canada