First Canadian Army

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Canadian servicemen were first sent overseas in December 1939, not long after the outbreak of the Second World War. As numbers increased, it became necessary to reorganize the Canadian forces serving overseas. First Canadian Army was formed in 1942 under Lieutenant-General A.G.L. McNaughton. It comprised approximately 170,000 men organized in two corps (I Canadian Corps and II Canadian Corps).

First Canadian Army spent much of 1942 training in England, preparing for invasion. McNaughton's aim was to keep the Canadian Army together to lead the cross-channel assault on northwest Europe. Instead, the Canadian government sent I Canadian Corps (including 1st Canadian Infantry Division, 5th Canadian Armoured Division and 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade) to serve in the Italian campaign in 1943 so that Canadian troops could see action. Because the existence of an identifiably Canadian army was important at home, Allied formations were added to First Canadian Army to keep it up to strength.

In June 1944, First Canadian Army (now commanded by Lieutenant-General H.D.G. “Harry” Crerar) went into battle on the left flank in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, clearing the Channel coast after the Normandy Invasion. At that point, it had more Allied than Canadian troops; in addition to II Canadian Corps, the army now included contingents of British, Polish, American and Dutch infantry and armoured soldiers.

In the winter of 1945, First Canadian Army was fighting its way towards Germany (see Battle of the Rhineland), while I Canadian Corps moved from Italy and through southern France. In March 1945, the two Canadian corps reunited and fought together to liberate the Netherlands.

Commanders

A.G.L. McNaughton (6 April 1942–26 December 1943)
Kenneth Stuart (acting command 27 December 1943–20 March 1944)
H.D.G. Crerar (20 March 1944–30 July 1945)
Guy Simonds (acting command 27 September 1944–8 November 1944)