2nd Canadian Division during World War II: Difference between revisions

Throughout 1943, the 2nd Division focused on rebuilding its ranks, having lost close to half its strength at Dieppe. In April 1943, Major General [[Guy Simonds]] assumed command of the division, taking over from Roberts,<ref>Stacey 1955, p. 249</ref> before handing over the following month to Major General [[E. L. M. Burns|Eedson Burns]]. In January 1944, Major General [[Charles Foulkes (Canadian Army general)|Charles Foulkes]]—the first officer to command the division who had not served in the [[World War I|Great War]]—replaced Burns.<ref name="Copp35">Copp, p. 35</ref> The following month, all three brigade commanders were replaced as part of a general move to modernize the Canadian forces' higher echelons;<ref>Copp, p. 37</ref> further sweeping changes throughout all levels of command, coupled with the lingering effects of the large influx of new personnel during 1943, lowered morale in the division.<ref name="Copp35"/> However, in March 1944, training again intensified, heralding the coming [[Operation Overlord|invasion of Europe]]. On 9{{nbsp}}March, the 2nd Division was inspected by [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King]] [[George VI]],<ref>Copp, p. 38</ref> and by May the division numbered close to 18,000 fully equipped and trained soldiers.<ref>Copp, p. 39</ref> When D-Day arrived on 6{{nbsp}}June 1944, the main Canadian assault was led by the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, while the 2nd Division was held in reserve.<ref>Copp, p. 41</ref> At this time, the division consisted of three brigades—4th, 5th and 6th—each of three infantry battalions,<ref>Hart 2016, p. 24</ref> and a brigade ground defence platoon provided by [[The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment)|Lorne Scots]].<ref>Rottman, p. 60</ref> In addition, at divisional level there was a machine gun battalion and a reconnaissance regiment provided by the [[The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own)|Thethe Toronto Scottish Regiment]] (machine gun) and 8th Reconnaissance Regiment (14th Canadian Hussars), as well as various combat support and service support elements including field, anti-tank and anti-aircraft artillery, field engineers, electrical and mechanical engineers, and signals, medical, ordnance, service corps troops and provosts.<ref>English, p. 177</ref><ref>Hart, p. 24</ref>