An Introduction to Canada’s Air War – A Chronology

Paul Squires

Canada and Newfoundland made a vital contribution to the Allied victory in the Second World War, leveraged by our strategic location, vast resources, industrial capacity, high education standards, and historic European connections.

However, our specific achievements often go unrecognized for several reasons. One is the integration into the Commonwealth forces, where Canadian contributions were frequently grouped and listed in histories as “British.” Another is the cultural influence of our much larger neighbor, whose globally dominant “entertainment” industry focuses on telling its own story, often overshadowing other historical facts—not maliciously, but because these details may not be commercially viable. Finally, Canadians tend to be modest; once a difficult job is done, we move on without expecting lavish public acknowledgment.