History Browser

By 1942, fearing an Allied invasion in the west while embroiled in war with the Soviet Union in the east, Hitler endeavoured to create the "Atlantic Wall", or "Fortress Europe", by encrusting the Atlantic seacoast with concrete and steel defences. This article describes these German fortifications and how the First Canadian Army participated in capturing these defensive positions. Includes reading list.

CBC visits a former nuclear war bunker in Nanaimo, BC, to investigate what is to become of it in the post-Cold War era.

This report has been prepared for the purpose of supplying background information on German defences in the Dieppe sector. After the summer of 1941, the defence of the Continental coasts became a matter of ever-increasing urgency and importance to the Germans.

As the spring of 1941 approached, Germany stepped up the scale of attack. To counteract this mounting menace from German submarines, new types of vessels were constructed and scientists worked desperately to design new methods of locating and destroying the submarine. Canada's fleet was augmented by several new types of vessels of which the corvette was the most famous. These small ships were invaluable in the anti-U-boat war.

With its obvious strategic location, Signal Hill became the site of harbour defences from the 18th century through the Second World War. The last battle of the Seven Years' War in North America was fought here in 1762.

In June of 1941 the 2nd Canadian Division exchanged roles with 55 Division of the British Army. This meant that these Canadian soldiers would move from their previous position of Aldershot to beach defences on the greater part of the coast of East Sussex. Major Stacey relates the more practical aspects of this movement.

This report discusses the defence plans and measures undertaken by Canada and the United States for the protection of the canals and waterway at Sault Ste. Marie during the Second World War. Sault Ste. Marie headed the list of vulnerable points "to be afforded military protection from the beginning of the precautionary stage or on the outbreak of war".

This photograph shows men of the 22nd (Canadien-Français) Battalion, CEF mending trenches. Note the 'duckboards' on the ground to help give secure footing when rain turned the ground to mud. The corrugated iron panel seen in the foreground would help reinforce the trench wall in such conditions. Between September 1915 and November 1918, the 'Van Doos' built a formidable fighting record. (Library and Archives Canada, PA-253)

Students are provided with information on the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada, to understand why it has recently received designation as a world heritage site

Peter Gzowski talks to former Diefenbunker employees about their unique jobs inside the government nuclear war bunker.