First Canadian Army

The First Canadian Army was an army of some 170 000 men organized in 2 corps (5 divisions and 2 armoured brigades) formed overseas in 1942 under Lieutenant-General A.G.L. MCNAUGHTON. McNaughton's aim was to keep the Canadian Army together to lead the cross-channel assault on northwest Europe; instead, the Canadian government dispatched I Canadian Corps from McNaughton's command to serve in the Italian campaign in 1943 so that Canadian troops could see action. Because the existence of an identifiably Canadian army was important at home, Allied formations were added to the First Canadian Army to keep it up to strength.

Accordingly, when the First Canadian Army (now commanded by Lieutenant-General H.D.G. CRERAR) went into battle on the left flank in France, Belgium and Holland, clearing the Channel coast after the NORMANDY INVASION, it had more Allied than Canadian troops. The balance was redressed in March 1945 following the RHINELAND campaign, when the Canadians in Italy rejoined First Canadian Army for the LIBERATION OF HOLLAND. See also ORTONA, BATTLE OF; WORLD WAR II.

Author STEPHEN HARRIS

Links to Other Sites
Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa is dedicated to the men and women who served with valour and distinction in Canada’s armed services. Their website features a virtual tour of the museum and multimedia online exhibits that depict how Canada met and overcame wartime challenges throughout its history.

Historica-Dominion Institute
The website for the Historica-Dominion Institute, parent organization of The Canadian Encyclopedia and the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada. Check out their extensive online feature about the War of 1812, the "Heritage Minutes" video collection, and many other interactive resources concerning Canadian history, culture, and heritage.

The War Amps
The War Amps website commemorates Canada's proud military heritage and the sacrifices of Canadian war veterans. Check out the "Canada's Military Heritage" section for extensive documentation, photographs and veterans’ accounts of their wartime experiences. Features a special section devoted to the 60th Anniversary of D-Day.

The Canadian Letters and Images Project
This extensive collection of letters and photographs brings to light personal stories about wartime life at home and on the battlefield. Produced by Malaspina University College in British Columbia.

Canada at War
A very detailed information source about Canadian military activity in the First World War and the Second World War. Also features an extensive database of Canadian soldiers who died in battle.

The Archives of Ontario Remembers the Home Front
In honour of the 60th anniversary of D-Day, the Archives of Ontario presents this stirring retrospective of Ontario’s extraordinary Home Front contribution to the war effort. Check out the personal stories, photographs, posters, video clips and other multimedia.

Library and Archives Canada: Military and Peacekeeping
Check out the online exhibits about the history of Canadian military and peacekeeping operations featured at the website for Library and Archives Canada. View paintings by Canada's great war artists, gripping photographs of war on the frontlines, war diaries and stories, multimedia, and much more.

Canadian Military History Gateway
Search this website for authoritative information about Canadian military history. Provides links to websites for Canadian museums, libraries, archives, and other heritage organizations. Also features an online glossary of military terminology, educational resources and much more. From the Department of National Defence.

Canadian Forces: Glossary
A glossary of military terminology used in the Canadian Forces. From the forces.ca website.

Canadian Military Journal
The online edition of the "Canadian Military Journal." Many articles about contemporary military issues, compelling history features, book reviews, and much more.

The Liberation of the Netherlands, 1944-1945
Read online copies of on-the-scene news reports documenting the Canadian Infantry's heroic, and ultimately successful, efforts to liberate the Netherlands during the Second World War. From the Canadian War Museum.

The Last Canadian Battle and the Surrender of the German Army
Read an enlightening lecture given by Lieut.-General Charles Foulkes about the final months of Canadian military action in Europe during the Second World War. From the Empire Club website.

The Memory Project: Liberation of Holland
Listen to interviews with Canadian veterans about their wartime military service. See also related digitized artefacts and memorabilia. From the Historica Dominion Institute.

Canada Netherlands
A chronology of the "Liberation of the Netherlands", a series of Canadian military operations that extended from September 1944 to April 1945. From Veterans Affairs Canada.

The Memory Project: First Canadian Army
Listen to an interview with a Canadian veteran about his military service during the Second World War. Includes references to General Crerar and the First Canadian Army. Also check out related digitized artefacts and memorabilia. From the Historica-Dominion Institute.