Canada!

Nonskimmer · 09-13-2005, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plan_D

And, tut-tut, it's "Saviour of Ceylon"

Agh! I hang my head in shame! Sorry Len, wherever you are.

Edited.

Lets hear from some Aussies and Kiwis on this stuff. This is getting interesting.
Any of me fellow Canucks got anything to add?

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 09-13-2005, 01:51 PM

I agree Plan_D. It seems as though a lot of the so called "I Know Everything" historians on this site that are American think that the US won the war by itself. They dont realize that it was co op event and that everyone contributed a lot.

plan_D · 09-13-2005, 02:00 PM

And who'd have thought I, of all people, would make this thread about the contributions of Canada. I bet that shocked you all. In fact, I reckon you all thought it was going to be something abusive towards Canada.

evangilder · 09-13-2005, 02:04 PM

Yep, I was curious at you getting misty about Canada.

Gnomey · 09-13-2005, 02:49 PM

The Canadians and the Commonwealth in general contributed a lot the allied war effort not only in production but also in the supply of troops, without the Commonwealth Britain would have run out of manpower rather than just suffering from shortages after D-day. It was a great team effort

Maestro · 09-13-2005, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plan_D

Yes. I recognised many British people didn't understand that these people were from the Commonwealth or Free soldiers from defeated nations. Bomber Command was something up to 25% Canadian!

I knew that a lot Canadian pilots ended up in bombers, but I'm surprised that they were so many !

Nonskimmer · 09-13-2005, 06:00 PM

Give this a read then. It's brief, but it gives you an idea. My grandfather flew with 419 and 434 Squadrons. 425 Sqn. was made up mostly of French-Canadians.

http://www.lancastermuseum.ca/contribution.html

This is a good read too.

http://www.junobeach.org/e/4/can-tac-air-bom-e.htm

Maestro · 09-13-2005, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nonskimmer

425 Sqn. was made up mostly of French-Canadians.

Yep, even their Motto is in French. Thanks for the links, mate.

Nonskimmer · 09-13-2005, 06:47 PM

No problem. Those are just the RCAF bomber squadrons. There were Canadians with RAF squadrons as well, like the articles indicate, who'd been there from the beginning. Read the bit about Canadians in the Dams Raid, it's interesting. They also mention Flight Lieutenant Joe McCarthy, who was an American flying with the RCAF. There were several in the RCAF, and a few Canucks with the USAAF as well.

If you're interested, do some digging. There's all kinds of info out there.

Wildcat · 09-14-2005, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nonskimmer

Lets hear from some Aussies and Kiwis on this stuff. This is getting interesting.

OK here's some stats from the Aussie effort in WWII

Out of a Population of only 6.9million, 993 000 enlisted into the armed forces, with 575 799 serving over seas.
Australia spent 2,132,743,000 pounds on Defence Expenditure.

Casualties-
Battle related deaths 19 235
non battle related deaths 20 194
WIA 23 477
POW 28 756
POW deaths 8 031
Civilian deaths 735

Australian's fought against the Germans, Japanese, Italians and Vichy French in all theaters of the War. Some notable battles fought by Australians include - Battle of Britain, Tobruk, El Alamein, Crete, Syria, Matapan, Malaya and Singapore, Coral Sea, Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea, Bougainville, New Britain, Borneo, and Many many more.
Thousands of Aussies served with the RAF particulary Bomber Command, were 3 500 were KIA.

The Australian Army with the support of the RAAF were the first Allied force to defeat the Japanese on land at Milne Bay in New Guinea. RAAF Hudsons were the first Allied aircraft to engage the Japanese just hours before Pearl Harbour. (I'm talking at the start of the Pacific war not including the Chinese and flying Tigers).

Australia came under attack for the first time in its history when the Japanese launched 188 planes from the Akagi, Kaga, Soryu and Hiryu plus 54 land based bombers from Timor agaisnt Darwin on 19 Feb 1942. The raid cost 8 ships sunk plus 11 damaged with a total of 243 people killed. The only air opposition was from 10 brave American pilots in P-40's, all were shot down and only 4 survived (if my memory is correct) all were immediately decorated.
The Austarlian mainland was bombed for a total of 64 times. The Japanese also sent 3 midget Subs into Sydney Harbour killings 21 RAN sailors for the loss of all 3 subs and their crew. (Interestingly the Jap Sailors were all given a full military funeral and their ashes sent back home to thier families in Japan!! Too bad our boys didn't get the same treatment when they were butchered in the POW camps.), Sydney also suffered a few attacks by Naval bombardment with minor damage.

And there's my very brief overview of Australia in WWII.

plan_D · 09-14-2005, 01:26 AM

Thank you. Got any information on production?

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 09-14-2005, 08:56 AM

Very good info there on Australia. Wow I never knew that the mainland was attacked that much!

evangilder · 09-14-2005, 09:01 AM

It's nice to see these. I knew that the commonwealth nations were involved, but seeing the numbers is what really drives it home. Great stuff, guys!

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 09-14-2005, 09:16 AM

I agree, it would be nice to see info from all the nations.

trackend · 09-14-2005, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maestro

Quote:

Originally Posted by plan_D

Yes. I recognised many British people didn't understand that these people were from the Commonwealth or Free soldiers from defeated nations. Bomber Command was something up to 25% Canadian!

I knew that a lot Canadian pilots ended up in bombers, but I'm surprised that they were so many !

It appears that it was a real mixed bag with the common wealth service personel and units My uncle was a pilot in the Canadian Bison Squadron (Wellingtons) with a mixed Aussie,Pommie & Kanuck crew.
My old man worked alot with the Canadian and US Ranger troops.
so I think it was so intergrated that it was as Maestro pointed out not regognised by UK civvies the numbers of oversea personnel involved.