2nd Canadian Division
This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2020) |
2nd Canadian Division 2nd Canadian Infantry Division | |
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2e Division du Canada | |
Active |
|
Country | Canada |
Branch | Canadian Expeditionary Force Canadian Army |
Type | Infantry |
Size | 3 brigade groups |
Part of | Canadian Army |
Garrison/HQ | CFB Valcartier |
Engagements | First World War Second World War
|
Commanders | |
Current commander | Brigadier-général Bruce Matthews |
The 2nd Canadian Division (2 Cdn Div; French: 2e Division du Canada) is a formation of the Canadian Army in the province of Quebec, Canada. The present command was created 2013 when Land Force Quebec Area was re-designated. The main unit housed in this division is the Royal 22nd Regiment based at CFB Valcartier near Quebec City, which is the biggest regiment in the Canadian Army.
The division draws its historical lineage from formations that existed during the
History
During the First World War, the division fought on the Western Front before being disbanded in 1919. It was reformed on 1 September 1939, as part of the First Canadian Army, at the outbreak of the Second World War, adopting the designation "2nd Canadian Infantry Division". It was initially composed of volunteers within brigades established along regional lines, though a halt in recruitment in the early months of the war caused a delay in the formation of brigade and divisional headquarters. With questions concerning overseas deployment resolved, the division's respective commands were formed in May and June 1940, and at British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's request, the division was deployed to the United Kingdom between 1 August and 25 December 1940.
Having performed well in training exercises during 1941 and early 1942, elements of the 2nd Division were selected as the main force for
Following a period of reconstruction and retraining in 1942–44, the division joined
First World War
The formation of the 2nd Canadian Division began in May 1915 in Britain, following the arrival of a large contingent of soldiers from Canada. The 2nd Division remained in Great Britain only a short time before embarking for the
Infantry units
4th Canadian Brigade: (Formed after the original 4th Brigade was dispersed)
- 18th (Western Ontario) Battalion Canadian Infantry. 1 October 1914 – 11 November 1918;
- 19th (Central Ontario) Battalion Canadian Infantry. 19 October 1914 – 11 November 1918;
- 20th (Central Ontario) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 1914 – 11 November 1918;
- 21st (Eastern Ontario) Battalion Canadian Infantry. 19 October 1914 – 11 November 1918.
- 22nd (Canadien Francais) Battalion Canadian Infantry. 21 October 1914 – 11 November 1918;
- 24th (Victoria Rifles) Battalion Canadian Infantry. 22 October 1914 – 11 November 1918;
- 25th (Nova Scotia) Battalion Canadian Infantry. 28 October 1914 – 11 November 1918;
- 26th (New Brunswick) Battalion Canadian Infantry. 2 November 1914 – 11 November 1918.
- 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion Canadian Infantry. 21 October 1914 – 11 November 1918;
- 28th (North West) Battalion Canadian Infantry. 19 October 1914 – 11 November 1918;
- 29th (Vancouver) Battalion Canadian Infantry. 24 October 1914 – 11 November 1918;
- 31st (Alberta) Battalion Canadian Infantry. 16 November 1914 – 11 November 1918.
Pioneers:
- 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion. March 1916 – June 1917. To the 2nd Canadian Engineer Brigade.
Battles and engagements on the Western Front
1916:
- Actions of St. Eloi Craters: 27 March – 16 April
- Battle of Mount Sorrel: 2–13 June
- Battle of Flers - Courcelette: 15–22 September
- Battle of Thiepval: 26–28 September
- Battle of Le Transloy: 1–18 October
- Battle of the Ancre Heights: 1 October – 11 November
1917:
- Battle of Vimy Ridge: 9–14 April
- Attack on La Coulotte: 23 April
- Battle of Arleux: 28–29 April
- Third Battle of the Scarpe: 3–4 May
- Battle of Hill 70: 15–25 August
- Second Battle of Passchendaele: 26 October – 10 November
- Battle of Cambrai (1917): 20 November – 3 December
1918:
- First Battle of Arras: 28 March
- Battle of Amiens: 8–11 August
- Actions round Damery: 15–17 August
- Battle of the Scarpe: 26–30 August
- The Pursuit to the Selle: 9–12 October
- Passage of the Grande Honnelle: 5–7 November
Second World War
Formation and early organization (1939)
At the start of the Second World War, the Canadian Active Service Force was initially composed of two
The 2nd Division, like its sister formation, was originally organized along regional lines. Its 4th Brigade was composed of regiments from Ontario, the 5th Brigade of regiments from Quebec, and 6th Brigade of regiments from Western Canada.[citation needed]
2nd Canadian Infantry Division, 1939 | |
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Unit | Region |
4th Canadian Infantry Brigade | |
The Royal Regiment of Canada
|
Toronto, Ontario |
The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)
|
Hamilton, Ontario |
The Essex Scottish Regiment
|
Windsor, Ontario |
The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (machine gun)
|
Ottawa, Ontario |
5th Canadian Infantry Brigade | |
The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada
|
Montreal, Quebec |
Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal
|
Montreal, Quebec |
Le Régiment de Maisonneuve
|
Montreal, Quebec |
Le Régiment de la Chaudière (machine gun)
|
Levis, Quebec
|
6th Canadian Infantry Brigade | |
The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada
|
Winnipeg, Manitoba |
The South Saskatchewan Regiment
|
Estevan, Saskatchewan
|
The Calgary Highlanders
|
Calgary, Alberta |
The Winnipeg Grenadiers (machine gun)
|
Winnipeg, Manitoba |
Garrison duties and reorganization (1940)
It was over a year before the 2nd Division came together as a cohesive unit and, during the interim period between formation and arrival in the United Kingdom, many changes to its organization were made. The first brigade concentrations took place in May and June 1940, until which time all units had trained in their own garrisons. The 4th Brigade assembled at
The 2nd Division's structure was altered in early 1940, reducing its number of machine-gun battalions from three to one.
In May 1940, The Black Watch were moved from Valcartier to Newfoundland, and in June, the 2nd Division was earmarked for garrison duty by the forces of the
As a result, most of the 2nd Division's units were sent to the United Kingdom in August 1940, although the Iceland garrison remained in place until 31 October.[3] The absence of the Mont Royals allowed Major-General Victor Odlum to reassign the Calgary Highlanders to the 5th Brigade in September, in an attempt to ethnically mix the brigades of the division.[9]
Training in the United Kingdom (1941)
In 1941, the
When the division was not engaged in coastal-defence duties or unit training, formation-level training took the form of increasingly larger exercises. Exercise Waterloo, conducted from 14 to 16 June 1941, was the largest in the United Kingdom to date, with I Canadian Corps counter-attacking an imagined German sea and air landing.[15] Exercise Bumper, held from 29 September to 3 October, was larger still, involving 250,000 men.[15] These exercises tended to concentrate on traffic control, communications, and logistical concerns, and were of little practical value to the infantry.[16]
On 30 December 1941, the Calgary Highlanders introduced "battle drill" to the division.[17] This new type of training emphasized small unit tactics as well as "hardening" training through use of live ammunition, slaughterhouse visits, and obstacle courses, and was adopted throughout Commonwealth forces stationed in Britain.[17]
Operation Jubilee (1942)
In early 1942, under
On 19 August 1942, while British commando units attacked bunker positions on the outskirts of Dieppe, forces of the 2nd Division landed on four beaches. The easternmost, Blue Beach, which was situated at the foot of a sheer cliff, presented the most difficulties; the Royal Regiment of Canada, with a company of the Black Watch, was held at bay by two platoons of German defenders.[21] Only six percent of the men that landed on Blue Beach returned to Britain.[22]
The main beaches, codenamed White and Red, lay in front of Dieppe itself. Making only minor gains, the majority of the 4th and 6th brigades became pinned down on the beach, and despite the arrival of an armoured squadron from the
At Green Beach to the west, part of the South Saskatchewan Regiment was landed on the wrong side of the Scie River, necessitating an assault over the machine gun swept bridge there so they could assault the cliffs on the west. The village of Pourville[24] was captured but the eastern cliffs proved impossible to capture so blocking their assault on an artillery battery and a radar station. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders were landed with the objective of moving south to attack an airfield and a divisional HQ. Neither battalion was able to achieve their objectives. As with the other three beaches, casualties among the Canadians were high with 160 fatalities.[24]
Rebuilding (1942–1944)
Throughout 1943, the 2nd Division focused on rebuilding its ranks, having lost close to half its strength at Dieppe. General Roberts remained in command of the division until an unsatisfactory handling of the division in an army-level scheme caused his ouster.
2nd Canadian Infantry Division, 1944 |
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4th Canadian Infantry Brigade |
The Royal Regiment of Canada
|
The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)
|
The Essex Scottish Regiment
|
4th Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon ( Lorne Scots )
|
5th Canadian Infantry Brigade |
The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada
|
Le Régiment de Maisonneuve
|
The Calgary Highlanders
|
5th Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon ( Lorne Scots )
|
6th Canadian Infantry Brigade |
The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada
|
The South Saskatchewan Regiment
|
Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal
|
6th Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon ( Lorne Scots )
|
Support units |
The Toronto Scottish Regiment (machine gun)
|
8th Reconnaissance Regiment (14th Canadian Hussars) (8 Recce) |
Royal Canadian Artillery |
Headquarters |
4th Field Regiment, 2nd (Ottawa) Field Battery, 14th (Midland) Field Battery, 26th (Lambton) Field Battery, 5th Field Regiment, 5th (Westmount) Field Battery, 28th (Newcastle) Field Battery, 73rd Field Battery, 6th Field Regiment, 13th (Winnipeg) Field Battery, 21st Field Battery, 91st Field Battery |
2nd Anti-Tank Regiment, 18th Anti-Tank Battery, 20th Anti-Tank Battery, 23rd Anti-Tank Battery, 108th Anti-Tank Battery, 3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, 17th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, 38th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery |
Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers
|
Headquarters |
1st Field Park Company, 2nd Field Company, 7th Field Company, 11th Field Company, one bridging platoon |
Royal Canadian Corps of Signals |
2nd Canadian Divisional Signals |
Royal Canadian Army Service Corps |
Headquarters |
4th Infantry Brigade Company, 5th Infantry Brigade Company, 6th Infantry Brigade Company, Second Infantry Divisional Troops Company |
Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps |
No. 10 Field Ambulance, No. 11 Field Ambulance, No. 18 Field Ambulance, 13th Canadian Field Hygiene Section, 4th Canadian Field Dressing Station, 21st Canadian Field Dressing Station |
Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps |
No. 2 Infantry Division Ordnance Field Park |
Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
|
Headquarters |
4th Infantry Brigade Workshop, 5th Infantry Brigade Workshop, 6th Infantry Brigade Workshop, one LAA workshop |
Eleven light aid detachments. |
Canadian Provost Corps |
No. 2 Provost Company |
Battle of Normandy
The Canadian attack of the
Operation Atlantic
Operation Spring
On 22 July 1944, Montgomery elected to use the Anglo-Canadian forces south of Caen in an all-out offensive aimed at breaking the German defensive cordon keeping his forces bottled up in Normandy.[38] To meet Montgomery's objectives, Canadian General Guy Simonds, commander of II Canadian Corps, was ordered to design a large breakout assault, codenamed Operation Spring.[39] The attack was planned in three tightly timed phases of advance, pitting two Canadian and two British divisions against three German SS-Panzer divisions. It would be launched in conjunction with an American offensive, Operation Cobra, scheduled to take place on 25 July 1944.[citation needed]
The 4th Brigade attacked in the east with some success, taking Verrières village itself, but were repulsed at
Operation "Totalize"
By 1 August 1944, the British had made significant gains on the Vire and Orne Rivers during
Simultaneously, the Germans had launched a desperate and ill-prepared
Operation Tractable
On 14 August, the First Canadian Army launched
Shortly afterwards, the 2nd Division moved to Foret de la Londe, along the valley of the River Seine. From 27 to 29 August, the 4th and 6th Brigades were engaged in heavy fighting against the rearguard of German forces seeking to withdraw across the Seine.[46]
Channel Ports and the Scheldt
Throughout September and October 1944, the First Canadian Army moved along the coast of France with the aim of securing the
Although the Belgian White Brigade and elements of the
During the initial phases of the battle, the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division sought to force a crossing of the Albert Canal.
Battles for the Rhine (November 1944 – March 1945)
By November 1944, the First Canadian Army had entered the Nijmegen Salient which was being held for use in the development of future offensives.[59] The 2nd Division came under the command of Major-General A.B. Matthews, with Foulkes being transferred to command I Canadian Corps.[60] The First Canadian Army launched no major offensive operations from November 1944 – January 1945; the longest hiatus the Canadians had enjoyed since landing on the Normandy beaches the previous June.[59]
The operational plan's second phase called for the 2nd and 3rd Divisions to take the Hochwald Forest. Following its capture, the 4th Canadian Armoured would sweep through the Hochwald Gap towards Wesel,[65] followed by 2nd Division "leap-frogging" towards Xanten. Operation Blockbuster was scheduled for 27 February, but despite initial gains, stubborn German resistance prolonged the battle for six days.[61][63] It was not until 3 March that the forest was cleared—during the intense close-quarter fighting, Major Frederick Tilston of the Essex Scottish Regiment won a Victoria Cross.[66]
Operation Blockbuster's final phase was the attack on
North of the Rhine (March – May 1945)
Canadian forces having incurred heavy casualties in clearing a path to the Rhine, the 2nd Division was rested from the massive crossing operation that took place on 23 March 1945, instead crossing in relative ease a week later.[70] After a brief detour through German territory, the First Canadian Army—now unified with the arrival of I Canadian Corps from Italy—prepared to assault German positions in the Netherlands. The 2nd Division moved northwards towards Groningen.[71] In the nine days preceding their attack, German resistance had been light and uncoordinated[72] but opposition stiffened as the assault progressed, leading to heavy losses among the battalions of the 5th Brigade.[73] By 13 April, the division had been shifted eastward to guard the flanks of a British assault on Bremen,[74] and the following day I Canadian Corps liberated Arnhem. On 2 May, the 2nd Division took Oldenburg, solidifying Canadian positions throughout the Netherlands.[75] German and Canadian forces declared a ceasefire on 5 May,[76] and all fighting came to an end with the surrender of German forces in Western Europe on 7 May 1945.[67] In October 1945, after four months in the Netherlands, General Order 52/46 officially disbanded the headquarters of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division.[76] By December, the entirety of the division had been stood down and returned to Canada.[77]
Commanding Officers
Date | General Officer Commanding[78] |
---|---|
20 May 1940 – 6 Nov 1941 | Major-General V.W. Odlum |
7 Nov 1941 – 12 Apr 1943 | Major-General J.H. Roberts (acting commander 7 Nov 1941 – 6 Apr 1941) |
23 Dec 1941 – 5 Apr 1942 | Major-General H.D.G. Crerar (Never actually commanded; appointed to temporary command of
I Cdn Corps 23 Dec 1941) |
13 Apr 1943 – 28 Apr 1943 | Major-General G.G. Simonds |
6 May 1943 – 10 Jan 1944 | Major-General E.L.M. Burns |
11 Jan 1944 – 9 Nov 1944 | General C. Foulkes
|
10 Nov 1944 – 6 Oct 1945 | Major-General A.B. Matthews |
6 Oct 1945 | Division disbanded |
Peacetime operations
Operation ELEMENT
Operation ELEMENT represented the
Beginning at the end of July 2017, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were using considerable amounts of resources to manage the significant increase in irregular immigrants seeking asylum crossing the Canadian border from the United States. To aid civil authorities manage this situation, the CAF deployed approximately 370 troops to build and maintain temporary accommodations at two sites: one at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, and one at the Nav Canada facility in Cornwall, Ontario.
The mission was called to an end by the Canadian government on 1 December 2017, and ended on 12 December 2017.[79]
Operation LENTUS
Operation LENTUS is the ongoing Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) response to domestic natural disasters. In the event that provincial and territorial authorities, the first responders to major natural disasters, are unable to deal with the resulting damage on their own, they may ask the CAF for help. LENTUS follows established action plans, adaptable to multiple situation, in order to provide support to populations in crisis. The objectives of the CAF during this type of operation is threefold: to provide aid to civil authorities, to respond to the call to action swiftly and efficiently, and to stabilize natural disaster conditions.[80]
On 5 May 2017, severe flooding in the Province of Quebec led to the provincial government requesting aid from the CAF. From 6 May – 5 June 2017, the CAF provided support to Quebec's flood relief efforts by mobilizing 2600 CAF members, 400 vehicles, six CH-146 Griffon helicopters, one CH-147 Chinook helicopter, one Halifax-class frigate (HMCS Montréal), and 15 small boats. The CAF operated in five affected regions during this period: Trois-Rivières, Montréal, Mauricie, Outaouais, and Montérégie.[80]
Operation CADENCE
Operation CADENCE represents the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) support of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) security efforts for major domestic events, including key conferences like the 44th G7 summit.[81]
During this summit from 8 to 9 June 2018 in Charlevoix, Que., the CAF provided planning and air support to the RCMP; conducted monitoring operations by air, land, and sea; and aided civil authorities in maintaining the security of controlled airspace. Over 2000 members, both Reserve and Regular Force, comprised the task force charged with these responsibilities.[81]
Operation REASSURANCE
Present day organization
The division is headquartered at
- 2nd Canadian Division, at CFB Valcartier
- 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, at CFB Valcartier
- Montréal(covering Western Québec)
- 35 Canadian Brigade Group, in Québec (covering Eastern Québec)
- 2nd Canadian Division Support Group, at CFB Montréal
- 5 Military Police Regiment, at CFB Valcartier
- 4 Intelligence Company (Reserve), in Montréal
- 2nd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, in Québec)
- 2nd Canadian Division Training Centre, at CFB Valcartier
See also
- Military history of Canada during the Second World War
- Military history of Canada
- Canadian Forces
Notes
- ^ Bercuson, p. 27
- ^ Bercuson, p. 279
- ^ a b c d Bercuson, p. 29
- ^ Copp, p. 20
- ^ "Chaudière Regimental History". Le Régiment de la Chaudière. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
- ^ Willmot & Keegan, p. 57
- ^ Copp, p. 15
- ^ Copp, p. 16
- ^ Copp, p.19
- ^ Copp, p.12
- ^ "14th Canadian Hussars". 14th Canadian Hussars (Saskatchewan Dragoons). Archived from the original on 9 December 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2008.
- ^ Berton, p. 362
- ^ Copp, p. 22
- ^ Bercuson, p. 63
- ^ a b "48th Highlanders of Canada Regimental History". 48th Highlanders of Canada Regimental. Archived from the original on 9 December 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2008.
- ^ Copp, p. 23
- ^ a b Copp, p. 24
- ^ Copp, p.29
- ^ Copp, p. 30
- ^ Bercuson, p. 62
- ^ a b c Zuehlke, p.151
- ^ Bercuson, p.69
- ^ Bercuson, p.73
- ^ a b Bercuson, p. 71
- ^ See "The Generals" by Dr. Jack Granatstein, who responds to widespread rumours – which he believes are unfounded – that Roberts was fired because of Dieppe.
- ^ a b Copp, p.35
- ^ Copp, p.37
- ^ Copp, p.38
- ^ Copp, p. 39
- ^ Copp, p. 41
- ^ Zuehlke, p. 166
- ^ D'Este, p. 325
- ^ Trew, p. 77
- ^ D'Este, p. 398
- ^ a b c Zuehlke, p. 168
- ^ Stacey, p.172
- ^ a b Bercuson, p.223
- ^ a b c Bercuson, p. 224
- ^ Copp, p. 63
- ^ Copp, p.87
- ^ a b Bercuson, p.228
- ^ a b Bercuson, p. 229
- ^ Bercuson, p. 230
- ^ D'Este, p. 420
- ^ D'Este, p. 427
- ^ a b Zuehlke, p. 169
- ^ D'Este, p. 429
- ^ "Operation Tractable". Memorial Mont-Ormel. Archived from the original on 17 June 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2008.
- ^ "Juno Beach Centre, Normandy, France". The Juno Beach Association. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2008.
- ^ a b c D'Este, p. 432
- ^ a b Bercuson, p. 234
- ^ Copp, p. 123
- ^ a b Copp, p.127
- ^ Copp, p. 132
- ^ Bercuson, p. 235
- ^ Zuehlke, p. 170
- ^ a b Bercuson, p. 249
- ^ Bercuson, p. 250
- ^ a b Bercuson, p. 255
- ^ Copp, p.176
- ^ a b c d e "Juno Beach Centre—Liberation of the Netherlands and capitulation of Germany". Juno Beach Centre. Archived from the original on 18 August 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2008.
- ^ Bercuson, p.258
- ^ a b Zuehlke, p. 171
- ^ a b Bercuson, p. 263
- ^ Bercuson, p. 265
- ^ "Major Frederick Tilston, Victoria Cross". Veteran Affairs Canada. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2008.
- ^ a b c Zuehlke, p. 172
- ^ a b c Copp, p.190
- ^ Copp, p.192
- ^ Bercuson, p. 267
- ^ Copp, p.196
- ^ Copp, p. 197
- ^ Copp, p.200
- ^ Copp, p. 202
- ^ Zuehlke, p. 173
- ^ a b Copp, p. 205
- ^ Copp, p. 206
- ^ "The Second Canadian Infantry Division". Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- ^ a b "Operation ELEMENT". forces.gc.ca. Canadian Armed Forces. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ a b "Operation LENTUS". forces.gc.ca. Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ a b "Operation CADENCE". forces.gc.ca. Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
References
- Bercuson, David Jay [1996] (2004). Maple Leaf Against the Axis. Illustrated edition. Calgary: Red Deer Press. ISBN 0-88995-305-8
- Berton, Pierre (2001). Marching as to War: Canada's Turbulent Years, 1899–1953. Toronto: Anchor Canada. ISBN 0-385-25819-4
- Copp, Terry [1992] (2007). The Brigade: The Fifth Canadian Infantry Brigade in World War II. Illustrated edition. Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3422-6
- D'Este, Carlo (1983). Decision in Normandy. New York: Konecky & Konecky. ISBN 1-56852-260-6
- Stacey, C.P. (1964). Official History of the Canadian Army in the Second World War, Volume III: The Victory Campaign. Queen's Printer, Ottawa, On. OCLC 480250059
- Trew, Simon; Badsey, Stephen (2004). Battle for Caen. Battle Zone Normandy. Faber and Faber. ISBN 0-7509-3010-1.
- Willmott, H.P. & ISBN 978-0-304-35247-0
- Zuehlke, Mark; Daniel, C. Stuart (2001). The Canadian Military Atlas: The Nation's Battlefields from the French and Indian Wars to Kosovo. Illustrated edition. Toronto: Stoddart. ISBN 0-7737-3289-6
- 2nd Canadian Infantry Division at www.canadiansoldiers.com