Formation and early war service

The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division was authorized on 17 May 1940 as part of Canada’s expanding commitment to the war in Europe. Unlike earlier Canadian formations, the division was specifically prepared for future offensive operations, including amphibious warfare.

Early history

Following its formation in 1940, the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division began organization and training in Canada. The division’s brigades were formed later that year, and its units underwent preparation for overseas deployment.

The division deployed to the United Kingdom in stages during 1941. The 8th and 9th Canadian Infantry Brigades embarked in July 1941, arriving in Britain later that month, while the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade followed in August 1941, arriving in early September. 

Once in Britain, the division became part of the Canadian Corps and undertook extensive training, including specialized amphibious and combined operations training in preparation for an eventual invasion of northwest Europe. It remained in the United Kingdom for several years, developing into one of the most highly trained assault formations in the Canadian Army.

After this prolonged period of preparation, the division was selected as the assault formation for the Canadian landings in Normandy.

Command Chronology

Major-General Ernest W. Sansom
1940–1941
Major-General Charles B. Price
1941–1942
Major-General Rod Keller
1942–1944
Major-General Daniel Spry
1944–1945
Major-General Ralph H. Keefler
1945

Order of Battle

Infantry Brigades and Battalions

7th Canadian Infantry Brigade

• The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
• The Regina Rifle Regiment
• The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s)

8th Canadian Infantry Brigade

• The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada
• The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment
• Le Régiment de la Chaudière

9th Canadian Infantry Brigade

• The Highland Light Infantry of Canada
• The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders
• The North Nova Scotia Highlanders

Division Artillery

• 12th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
• 13th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
• 14th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
• 3rd Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
• 4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery

Reconnaissance and Support Units

• 7th Reconnaissance Regiment (17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars)
• 16th, 17th, and 18th Field Companies, Royal Canadian Engineers
• 3rd Canadian Division Signals

Additional Division Units

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

Normandy Campaign

Landing in Normandy (6 June 1944)

The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division landed on Juno Beach on D-Day June 6, 1944, forming part of the Allied invasion of Normandy under the British Second Army. Its mission was to establish a beachhead and advance inland toward key objectives, including Carpiquet airfield.

The division landed in multiple brigade groups along a heavily defended coastline and encountered strong German resistance, including fortified positions and counterattacks. Despite this, Canadian forces pushed inland farther than many other Allied formations on D-Day.

Operations in Normandy

Following the landings, the division participated in a series of operations aimed at securing Caen and breaking German defensive positions.

It was heavily engaged in:

• Operations around Caen
• The advance toward Carpiquet airfield (Operation Windsor)
• The Falaise campaign

The division faced determined resistance, including counterattacks by German armored units, but maintained steady progress inland.

Breakout and advance

After the Allied breakout from Normandy in late July 1944, the division participated in the advance across France. It was involved in the clearing of Channel ports, helping secure vital supply routes for Allied forces.

The Battle of the Scheldt

In the autumn of 1944, the division played a key role in the Battle of the Scheldt, tasked with clearing German forces from flooded and fortified terrain in the Breskens Pocket.

The harsh conditions of this campaign led to the division being nicknamed:

 “Water Rats”

This nickname was given in recognition of the difficult terrain and amphibious-style fighting conditions. 

Continued Operations (1944–1945)

Following the Scheldt campaign, the division continued operations in the Netherlands and Germany as part of the First Canadian Army.

It participated in:

• The Rhineland campaign
• The final advance into Germany
• The liberation of occupied territories in 1945

Operational significance

The combat record of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division reflects its central role in the Allied campaign in northwest Europe:

• Amphibious assault: Juno Beach (D-Day)
• Sustained combat: Normandy (Caen and Falaise)
• Strategic operations: Channel ports
• Critical logistics campaign: Scheldt estuary
• Final operations: Netherlands and Germany

The division’s successful assault on Juno Beach and subsequent operations made it one of the most effective Canadian formations in the European Theater.