Formation and early war service

The 1st Canadian Infantry Division was one of the first Canadian formations mobilized for overseas service during World War II. It deployed to the United Kingdom in 1939 as part of Canada’s early commitment to the war in Europe. The division was commonly known as the “Old Red Patch” a reference to its formation insignia carried over from the First World War.

Early history

Following its mobilization for World War II, the 1st Canadian Infantry Division was organized as part of Canada’s initial contribution to Allied forces. The division was placed under the command of Major-General Andrew G. L. McNaughton in October 1939 and underwent initial preparation and concentration in Canada.

The division departed for overseas service in December 1939, embarking from Canada for the United Kingdom, and arrived in Britain on 1 January 1940, where it became one of the first Allied formations deployed to defend the British Isles against a potential German invasion.

During its early period in the United Kingdom, the division conducted intensive training and defensive duties as part of the Canadian Corps. In June 1940, elements of the division were temporarily deployed to France as part of the Second British Expeditionary Force before being withdrawn back to Britain following the collapse of Allied positions.

The division remained in the United Kingdom for several years, continuing training and preparation until it was committed to combat operations in the Mediterranean Theater in 1943, participating in the invasions of Sicily and Italy before later transferring to northwest Europe in 1945.

Command Chronology (World War II)

Major-General Andrew G. L. McNaughton — Oct 1939 – Jul 1940
Major-General George R. Pearkes — Jul 1940 – Sep 1942
Major-General Harry Salmon — Sep 1942 – Apr 1943
Major-General Guy Simonds — Apr 1943 – Oct 1943
Major-General Christopher Vokes — Nov 1943 – Nov 1944
Major-General Harry Foster — Dec 1944 – Sep 1945

Order of Battle (World War II)

Infantry Brigades and Battalions

1st Canadian Infantry Brigade

• The Royal Canadian Regiment
• The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
• 48th Highlanders of Canada

2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade

• Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
• The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
• The Loyal Edmonton Regiment

3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade

• Royal 22e Régiment
• The Carleton and York Regiment
• The West Nova Scotia Regiment

Division Artillery

• 1st Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
• 2nd Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
• 3rd Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
• 4th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
• 1st Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
• 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery

Reconnaissance and Support Units

• 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards (Reconnaissance Regiment)
• 1st Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers
• 2nd Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers
• 3rd Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers
• 1st Canadian Division Signals

Additional Division Units

• Royal Canadian Army Service Corps companies
• Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps units
• Ordnance and workshop units (RCEME)

Mediterranean Campaign

Sicily (July–August 1943)

The division first saw combat during the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943. Landing on the southeastern coast of Sicily, Canadian forces advanced inland against German and Italian resistance. The campaign marked the division’s introduction to large-scale combat operations.

Italian Campaign

Following Sicily, the division was committed to the Italian mainland, where it participated in sustained operations against German defensive lines.

It took part in major engagements including:

• The fighting along the Gustav Line
• The Battle of Ortona in December 1943

The fighting in Ortona involved intense urban combat and is often referred to as “Little Stalingrad.” Canadian forces adapted their tactics to the environment, including the use of demolition charges to move between buildings (“mouse-holing”) in order to avoid exposed streets and German defensive positions.

Continued Operations in Italy (1944–1945)

The division remained in Italy throughout 1944, participating in operations aimed at breaking German defensive positions and advancing northward.

These operations were characterized by:

• Difficult terrain
• Strong defensive positions
• Prolonged, attritional combat

Transfer to Northwest Europe

In early 1945, the division was redeployed from Italy to northwest Europe as part of Operation Goldflake, a large-scale logistical movement of Canadian forces.

Northwest Europe (1945)

Following its transfer, the division participated in operations in the Netherlands and Germany during the final phase of the war, contributing to the defeat of German forces and the liberation of occupied territories.

Operational significance

The combat record of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division reflects its role across multiple theaters of the war:

• Early deployment: United Kingdom (1939)
• Amphibious assault: Sicily (1943)
• Attritional combat: Italian Campaign
• Urban warfare: Ortona
• Strategic redeployment: Operation Goldflake
• Final operations: Netherlands and Germany (1945)

The division’s prolonged experience in the Italian campaign made it one of the more seasoned Canadian formations by the final stages of the war.