2nd Canadian Division

2nd Canadian Division
Unit name	2nd Canadian Division
Dates	1914–1919; 1941–1945; 1946–present
Country	Canada
Branch	Canadian Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Combined arms
Command structure	Canadian Expeditionary Force; Canadian Corps; I Canadian Corps
Battles	First World War; Second World War; Battle of Vimy Ridge; Battle of Amiens; Normandy Campaign; Battle of the Scheldt; Battle of the Rhineland

2nd Canadian Division

The 2nd Canadian Division is a Canadian Army formation with service in the First World War, the Second World War, and postwar Canadian defence structures, noted for actions at Vimy Ridge, Amiens (1918), Juno Beach, and the Scheldt operations. The division has been associated with formations such as the Canadian Expeditionary Force, Canadian Corps, I Canadian Corps, and later Canadian militia and Regular Force organizations, drawing personnel from provinces including Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces.

History

Formed in 1914 as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force for the First World War, the division fought at Vimy Ridge, the Battle of the Somme (1916), and during the Hundred Days Offensive, before demobilization after the Armistice of 11 November 1918. Reconstituted in 1941 under the Canadian Army for the Second World War, it trained in the United Kingdom and landed in Normandy as part of the Normandy Campaign, participating in the assault on Juno Beach and subsequent operations across France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Postwar, elements were reorganized within the Canadian Army (post-1945), including roles in the Canadian Army Reserve and contributions to NATO deployments during the Cold War era.

Organization and Structure

During the First World War the division comprised numbered infantry brigades drawn from the Canadian Expeditionary Force and integrated with divisional artillery such as the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, engineers like the Canadian Engineers (CEF), and medical services including the Canadian Army Medical Corps. In the Second World War the division structure followed a British-style triangular organization with three infantry brigades—each containing battalions from regiments such as the Royal Regiment of Canada, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, and the Algonquin Regiment—supported by divisional artillery, reconnaissance troops, Royal Canadian Engineers, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, and Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps units, operating under I Canadian Corps command and coordinating with Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force support.

Operational Service

In 1917–1918 the division participated in trench operations on the Western Front, including mining and counter-mining at Vimy Ridge, involvement in the Battle of Arras (1917), and the final assault during the Hundred Days Offensive culminating near the Hindenburg Line. In 1944 the division executed amphibious and combined-arms operations during the Normandy Campaign, fought in the bocage against formations of the Wehrmacht, advanced through Caen and the Falaise Pocket, then conducted operations in the Scheldt estuary aiding clearance of approaches to the port of Antwerp, fought in the liberation of parts of the Netherlands, and crossed the Rhine during the Rhineland Campaign, linking operations with the British Second Army and First Canadian Army.

Order of Battle

Typical First World War organization included the 4th, 5th, and 6th Infantry Brigades of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, divisional artillery brigades of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, and specialized support units drawn from the Canadian Army Service Corps, Canadian Machine Gun Corps, and Canadian Army Medical Corps. In the Second World War the division's order of battle included the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade, and 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade (or their successor brigade designations), divisional headquarters, the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade when attached for specific operations, supporting units such as Royal Canadian Dragoons reconnaissance elements, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals detachments, Royal Canadian Engineers field companies, and Royal Canadian Army Service Corps transport companies.

Commanders

Commanders during the First World War included senior officers appointed from the Canadian Militia and the British Army establishment who led the division on the Western Front; during the Second World War the division was commanded by officers drawn from the Canadian Army, including commanders who later held corps or army commands within the Canadian Army and NATO. Notable commanders associated with divisional leadership and higher formation coordination included generals who also appear in histories of the Canadian Corps, I Canadian Corps, and combined Allied command structures during the Second World War.

Battle Honours and Awards

The division and its constituent units accrued battle honours for major actions including Vimy Ridge, Somme, Amiens (1918), Falaise, Scheldt, The Rhineland, and North-West Europe 1944–45, while personnel received decorations drawn from the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal, and other Commonwealth awards, as recorded in official Canadian mobilisation and honours lists and cited in regimental histories.

Category:Infantry divisions of Canada Category:Military units and formations of Canada in World War I Category:Military units and formations of Canada in World War II