2nd Canadian Division

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The 2nd Canadian Division was an infantry formation that saw service in the First World War. A 2nd Canadian Infantry Division was raised for the Second World War.

History

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 Division remained in Great Britain only a short time before embarking for France in September 1915. It joined the 1st Canadian Division to form the Canadian Corps. The division was under the command of Major-General R.E.W. Turner, and its members spent a long and bitterly cold winter in a Belgian section of the front between Ploegsteert Wood and Saint-Eloi, south of Ypres. Infantry units as well as artillery units of the 2nd Canadian Division served in both France and Flanders until Armistice Day.

Infantry Units

4th Canadian Brigade: (Formed after the original 4th Brigade was dispersed)

• 18th (Western Ontario) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 1, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 19th (Central Ontario) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 19, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 20th (Central Ontario) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 21st (Eastern Ontario) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 19, 1914 - November 11, 1918.

5th Canadian Brigade:

• 22nd (Canadien Francais) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 21, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 24th (Victoria Rifles) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 22, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 25th (Nova Scotia) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 28, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 26th (New Brunswick) Battalion Canadian Infantry. November 2, 1914 - November 11, 1918.

6th Canadian Brigade

• 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 21, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 28th (North West) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 19, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 29th (Vancouver) Battalion Canadian Infantry. October 24, 1914 - November 11, 1918;
• 31st (Alberta) Battalion Canadian Infantry. November 16, 1914 - November 11, 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 the St. Eloi Craters - March 27 - April 16
• Battle of Mount Sorrel - June 2–13
• Battle of Flers - Courcelette - September 15–22
• Battle of Thiepval - September 26–28
• Battle of Le Transloy - October 1–18
• Battle of the Ancre Heights - October 1 - November 11

1917:

• Battle of Vimy Ridge - April 9–14
• Attack on La Coulotte - April 23
• Battle of Arleux - April 28–29
• Third Battle of the Scarpe - May 3–4
• Battle of Hill 70 - August 15–25
• Second Battle of Passchendaele - October 26 - November 10
• Battle of Cambrai (1917) - November 20 - December 3

1918:

• First Battle of Arras - March 28
• Battle of Amiens - August 8–11
• Actions round Damery - August 15–17
• Battle of the Scarpe - August 26–30
• The Pursuit to the Selle - October 9–12
• Passage of the Grande Honelle - November 5–7

External references