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The 107th Battalion (Timber Wolf)
Thousands of Indigenous, Métis and Inuit people enlisted in the Canadian army during the Great War. In Europe, many of these men were scattered from one unit to another. In 1915, however, the Canadian…
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John Shiwak – The Best Sniper of the British Army
Referred to as the best sniper in the British Army by those who served beside him, Lance Corporal John Shiwak (1889-1917) bravely served and lost his life during the First World War. As a…
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Twice Sacrificed – Unaccounted Loyalty
The Japanese-Canadian community has been present in Canada since the late 19th century. Established mainly in British Columbia, many members of the community have made significant contributions since then. This naturally includes the military.…
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The Battle of Ortona
From December 20 to 28, 1943, the Canadian Army experienced its “little Stalingrad” in Ortona, Italy. Famous for its strategic impact, the Battle of Ortona remains one of the Canadian Army’s greatest victories of…
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VE-Day
On May 8, 1945, the Allies declared victory over fascist forces in Europe. In other words, VE Day! Long-awaited, Canadians celebrated the end of the Second World War in the streets of major cities…
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Regiment in the Rhineland: The Queens Own Rifles in Operation Blockbuster
Conducted from February 26 to March 3, 1945, Operation Blockbuster was the culmination of the Allied invasion of Nazi Germany. With the aim of bringing the war in Europe to a definitive end, Blockbuster…
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The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada and Their Heroic Role in the Liberation of Holland
The final months of the Second World War were marked by intense fighting as Allied forces pushed to liberate occupied territories and bring the conflict to an end. Among the many brave Canadian regiments…
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The Elections of 1917
Did you know that Canadian soldiers voted for the first time in December 1917… right in the middle of trench warfare? The federal election of 1917 was probably the most bitter in Canadian history!…
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Bicycles and the Normandy landings
While almost everyone knows how to ride a bicycle, not everyone knows that these machines were also deployed during the infamous Normandy landings. In this short article, Julien Lehoux describes the Canadian Army’s wartime…
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The last charge of the Canadian cavalry
Did you know that Canada committed one of the last cavalry charges of the First World War? On March 21, 1918, the German army launched Operation Michael, a major counter-offensive on the Western Front.…
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The rank of nurses during the First World War
Did you know that Canadian nurses were the only women to hold an officer’s rank during the First World War? In fact, the nurses’ rank stems from a long-standing administrative practice dating back to…
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Foreign forces in Italy
The Allied armies mobilized during the Italian campaign (1943-45) were as diverse as they were numerous. Fighting alongside the American, British and Canadian armies were, indeed, units from four different continents. From colonial armies…
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The Whisky War
Did you know that Canada shares a border with… Denmark? European colonization of the Arctic has been going on for hundreds of years, most notably with the exploration of Greenland. However, it’s only recently…
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Clarence David Lapierre – Paratrooper, 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion
Clarence David Lapierre was one of the first soldiers to land in France during the Second World War as a paratrooper with the 1st Canadian Battalion. However, many people are still unaware of the…
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The Carty brothers – Artisans of a tradition
Following in their father’s footsteps, the Carty brothers all enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Overcoming the obstacles of the time, the five young men all distinguished themselves…
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The No. 2 Construction Battalion
Did you know that there was a battalion of black soldiers in the Canadian Army during the First World War? Long ignored, the members of the 2nd Construction Battalion contributed enormously to the war…
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The Normandy Landings: Myths, facts, and legacies of a complex liberation
How could GIs be persuaded to land on the beaches of Normandy and brave enemy fire? While patriotism and solidarity against Nazi crimes were powerful motivations, the U.S. military in 1944 also used a…
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Holiday Reading (2024)
The year 2024 is drawing to a close, and it’s an understatement to say that the Company Canada team is very happy with its results! With the release of Honouring Bravery, our Ontario chapter,…
