6th Canadian Infantry Division

Last updated

6th Canadian Infantry Division
6 Canadian Infantry Division patch.svg
Formation patch of the 6th Canadian Infantry Division.
ActiveMarch 1942–31 January 1946 [1]
CountryCanadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Canada
Branch Lesser badge of the Canadian Army.svg Canadian Army
Type Infantry
Size Division
Engagements World War II
Commanders
Notable
commanders

The 6th Canadian Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Canadian Army, formed in 1942 during the Second World War. It was attached to Pacific Command. The division had a brigade sent to the Aleutian Islands Campaign, particularly at Kiska, but never saw action. [1] The 6th Division was to have been part of a proposed Commonwealth Corps, formed for a planned invasion of Japan, but was disbanded on 31 January 1946, after the surrender of Japan in August 1945.

Contents

History

The 6th Canadian Infantry Division was raised as part of a home-defence scheme in Canada, the culmination of various mobilizations throughout 1941 and 1942. The 6th was raised in March 1942 with its headquarters on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Various composite units were stationed at Port Alberni, Vancouver Island and Vernon. Throughout 1943, the division lost its artillery units to coastal defence work, and other battalions were shipped overseas. In June 1943, these units were sent to Kiska only to find the island abandoned, and in late 1943, the 7th Canadian Infantry Division was disbanded and various battalions were amalgamated into the 6th. By January 1944, the units had returned from Kiska, having not taken part in any fighting. On 1 December 1944, the need for coastal defence having lessened, it was decided that the division should be disbanded. [1]

However, planning for a proposed Allied invasion of Japan called for a Canadian division to be a component of a combined Commonwealth Corps. Disbandment of the 6th halted and it was re-formed as the main component of the Canadian Army Pacific Force, with the inclusion of units that served with other divisions.

The re-formed division was commanded by Major General Bert Hoffmeister and its primary units were named after the components of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. However, its battalions were to be organized along the lines of a US Army infantry division and would be equipped primarily with US-made weapons, vehicles and equipment.

Following the surrender of Japan, the division's disbandment continued. The remaining units were disbanded by 31 January 1946. [1]

Order of battle

March 1942

August 1943 at Kiska

November 1943

November 1944

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Canadian Division</span> Canadian Army formation

The 3rd Canadian Division is a formation of the Canadian Army responsible for the command and mobilization of all army units in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, as well as all units extending westwards from the city of Thunder Bay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5th Canadian Division</span> Canadian Army formation

The 5th Canadian Division is a formation of the Canadian Army responsible for the command and mobilization of most army units in the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador; as well as some units in Kingston, Ontario. The division is recognized by the distinctive maroon patch worn on the sleeve of its soldiers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment)</span> Military unit of the Canadian Army

The Lorne Scots is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. It is part of the 4th Canadian Division's 32 Canadian Brigade Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brockville Rifles</span> Military unit

The Brockville Rifles is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. The unit is a part of the 33 Canadian Brigade Group, 4th Canadian Division. It is fifteenth in the order of precedence of Canadian Army Infantry Regiments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5th Canadian Infantry Brigade</span> Brigade of the Canadian Army

The 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the Canadian Army that fought during World War I and World War II. Raised in 1915, it formed part of the 2nd Canadian Division and fought on the Western Front during World War I before being disbanded. Later, it was re-raised in September 1939 and subsequently took part in Allied operations in north-west Europe in 1944 and 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)</span> Military unit

The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army based on Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">7th Canadian Infantry Division</span> Military unit

The 7th Canadian Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Canadian Army, mobilized in the spring of 1942 and assigned for home defence within Atlantic Command, during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">41 Canadian Brigade Group</span> Brigade of the Canadian Army

41 Canadian Brigade Group is a Canadian Army formation of the 3rd Canadian Division. The formation is composed of Army Reserve units within the province of Alberta and the Northwest Territories. The headquarters of the brigade is in Calgary.

The Order of battle of the East African campaign shows the ground forces of both sides in East Africa on the date that the Italians declared war on Britain and France, 10 June 1940 and for the British and Commonwealth forces involved in the 1941 offensive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8th Canadian Infantry Division</span> Military unit

The 8th Canadian Infantry Division was a military formation of the Canadian Army that served within Pacific Command in Western Canada during World War II. The Division units were raised on 18 March 1942 and the HQ was raised on 12 May 1942 at Prince George, BC. The Division was a home defence unit, initially consisting of the 19th, 20th, and 21st Canadian Infantry Brigades. In July the home Defence Divisions were reorganised and the 8th Division consisted of the 14th and 16th Infantry Brigades. The 19th Brigade went to the 6th Canadian Infantry Division, the 20th went to the 7th Canadian Infantry Division, and the 21st would remain at Valcartier, PQ as a strategic reserve. The 8th Canadian Infantry Division was disbanded on 15 October 1943, along with the 16th Brigade. The 14th Brigade returned to the 6th Division.

In September 1939, the British Army was in process of expanding their anti-aircraft and mobile assets. Among these new changes was the formation of Anti-Aircraft Command which was formed on 1 April 1939, and the 1st Armoured Division formed in 1937. The list below will include the British Army units, colonial units, and those units which were in the process of formation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juno Beach order of battle</span> Military unit

This is the Juno Beach order of battle on D-Day.

The 56th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery is a Canadian Army Reserve artillery regiment based in Brantford, Ontario. The regiment is currently part of 4th Canadian Division's 32 Canadian Brigade Group.

The 222nd Infantry Brigade was a Home Service formation of the British Army that existed under various short-lived titles in both the First and Second World Wars

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment)</span> Canadian infantry regiment

The Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment) was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. It was placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle in 1965. In 2002, it was taken off the Supplementary Order of Battle and amalgamated with The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own).

The Order of battle, Keren 1941 shows Italian army forces that participated in the Battle of Keren from February to March 1941 and British troops in Sudan on 20 January 1941, which participated in military operations against Eritrea during the East African Campaign 1940–1941.

The 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade was a formation of the Canadian Army that served in both World Wars. During World War I, the brigade formed part of the 5th Canadian Division. However, the 13th Brigade never saw combat as the brigade along with the 5th Canadian Division was broken up to provide reinforcements to the 4 other divisions of the Canadian Corps. During the Second World War, the brigade formed part of the 6th Canadian Infantry Division serving on the west coast in the home defence role and in June 1943, the brigade took part in Operation Cottage on Kiska during the Aleutian Islands campaign.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6th Canadian Division at Canadian Soldier, Retrieved 22 November 2007
  2. 1 2 3 The Canadian Army, 1943–44 Archived 3 November 2005 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 20 November 2007