“The Necessary War: Canadians Fighting the Second World War 1939–1943, Volume One (Book Review)” by Tim Cook & “Fight to the Finish: Canadians in the Second World War 1944–1945, Volume Two (Book Review)” by Tim Cook

Review of The Necessary War: Canadians Fighting the Second World War 1939–1943, Volume One & Fight to the Finish: Canadians in the Second World War 1944–1945, Volume Two by Tim Cook

One of the Finest Sources of Recruits: The Canadian Cadet Movement During the Second World War

This article examines the history of the Sea, Army, and Air Cadet programs during the Second World War. The movement expanded rapidly during the war, with the assistance of the Canadian forces, which became more directly involved with the equipping, training, and administration of their respective cadet branches. Cadet training became increasingly sophisticated in an effort to provide cadets with the rudiments of modern military training in order to speed their transition into the armed forces when they reached enlistment age. The movement’s leaders viewed their primary role as providing pre-trained recruits to meet the needs of the military, and the military, for the most part, viewed former cadets as excellent recruit material

Equipment of the Canadian Infantrymen, 1939–1982: A Material/Historical Assessment

The history of Canada’s soldiers in the twentieth century tends to incorporate a few recurrent themes. One of these is the changing nature of the soldier’s experience of war, from the Boer War through to the Second World War and beyond. Another is the gradual transition of Canadian military forces from British to American spheres of influence, a theme that has become particularly relevant since 1939. This article will explore these two themes from a material history perspective, an approach that is generally absent from the broader historiography. The focus will be the transformations in the Canadian infantry soldier’s personal field equipment and kit from the Second World War through to the 1980s. The evidence from this period points to two conclusions: first, that the experience of war and the growing professionalism of the Canadian infantryman has been reflected in his equipment; and second, that there has been an American influence on the equipment of the Canadian soldier since the outbreak of the Second World War

“Truly they died that we might be free”: Remembering the Westlake Brothers

This article examines Canada’s Second World War memory through the experiences of the Westlake family of Toronto. George, Albert and Thomas Westlake were killed in action in Normandy, within a period of four days. Their story is fascinating in terms of the representation of Canadian war casualties of the Second World War. In addition, the article sheds light on one family and how it remembers and has acted to prevent the fading of memory. The Westlake family has ensured that George, Albert and Thomas are honoured and will be remembered. Examining this family provides a new perspective on the Second World War and its lasting impact

The Literal Reconstruction of VMI: Reunion, Restitution, Remembrance

This is the second in a three-part series on the legacy of the Civil War at the Virginia Military Institute. You can also check out part one to read about VMI’s struggle for survival in the years immediately after the war. Stay tuned for the conclusion of the series. [excerpt

I Am Not A Prisoner of War : Agency, Adaptability, and Fulfillment of Expectations Among American Prisoners of War Held in Nazi Germany

In war memory, the typical prisoner of war narrative is one of either passive survival or heroic resistance. However, captured service members did not necessarily lose their agency when they lost their freedom. This study of Americans held in Germany during the Second World War shows that prisoners generally grounded themselves in their personal and national identities, while compromising ideas of heroism, sometimes passing up opportunities for resistance in order to survive

James Mann, M.D. (1759-1832): Military Surgeon for the Second War of Independence .

The War of 1812 is remembered for the Burning of Washington, and Francis Scott Key’s “The Star Spangled Banner,” but little else. It was a poorly funded war of relatively short duration and nebulous resolution. Under such circumstances, it is understandable that the “Second War of Independence” failed to produce many notable military or medical advancements. However, one surgeon took it upon himself to recount his experiences in the field. For his dedication to the art and science of medicine, James Mann deserves recognition

Crossing the Canal: Combined Arms Operations at the Canal Du Nord, Sept–Oct 1918

The crossing of the Canal du Nord stands as one of the most impressive Canadian tactical operations of the First World War. Incorporating a risky battle plan, emphasizing combined arms operations and utilizing the recently re-organized Canadian Engineers, the battle stands as benchmark for the evolution of 20th century combat. Although sustaining high casualties, the Canadian Corps overcame one of the strongest German defensive positions along the Westner Front in an operation that foreshadowed the mobile, combined arms doctrine of the Second World War

Private Lorraine J. Turnbull

Pvt. Lorraine Turnbull was one of the thousands of American women to enlist in the Marine Corps Women\u27s Reserve (MCWR) during the Second World War. Turnbull was one of the 500 women Marines selected out of a pool of 8,000 Women Reservists serving in the field of aviation for duty in Hawaii. Using hundreds of the letters written by Turnbull during her war experience, one is able to piece together the true impact of the war upon WWII military women. Using select letters written by Turnbull, this research project focuses on the elements of sexism women experienced in the MCWR, the significance of letter writing to these women, the true importance of the MCWR during WWII, and the overall expansion of opportunity given to Women Reservists through the MCWR

The Liberation of Groningen: The Diary Account of Theo Polman

The city of Groningen in the Netherlands was liberated by the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division during the final month of the Second World War. While the battle was not significant to the outcome of the war, the combat was nonetheless significant for both the participants, as well as the citizens who lived through four days of fierce street fighting. Using his grandfather’s detailed diary, and with references to the War Diaries of some of the battalions involved, the author describes the experience of one family that huddled in their home through the battle, and their interactions with Canadian soldiers after the fighting stopped