2nd Canadian Division
| 2nd Canadian Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1915-1919 |
| Country | Canada |
| Allegiance | Allies |
| Branch | Canadian Expeditionary Force |
| Type | Infantry |
| Engagements | World War I -Somme -Vimy Ridge -Passchendaele |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | n/a |
| Notable commanders | General Guy Simonds |
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