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Topic spans: 1939 - 1945
1939-1945: A Soldier's War
From 1939 to 1945 Canadian soldiers, sailors and air force personnel lived and died in lands far from home. CBC Radio was one of the few links friends and family in Canada had to their loved ones abroad. Through reports from the front, dramatizations and direct greetings from soldiers, CBC revealed what life on the battlefront was like.
18 radio clips
Canadian troops depart for Europe
Broadcast Date: Dec. 18, 1939
December 1939: Canada is at war with Germany and the first of our soldiers are departing for the war in Europe. At a location called (for security reasons) "an eastern port," thousands of Canadian men arrive by train and quickly board five grey ships bound for England.Canadian troops depart for Europe
• The Second World War began on Sept. 1, 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later and Canada declared war on Sept. 10.• After war was declared, Canada readied its coastal defences and mobilized its armed forces, including thousands of volunteers; almost 60,000 men and women enlisted in September alone. The first Canadian troops sailed for Britain on Dec. 10, 1939.
• Over one million Canadians served in the Second World War and approximately 45,000 gave their lives.
Photo: Canada Dept. of National Defence / National Archives of Canada PA-137186
Canadian troops depart for Europe
Medium: Radio
Program: CBC Radio News Special
Broadcast Date: Dec. 18, 1939
Guest(s):
Reporter: J. Frank Willis
Duration: 8:20
Photo: Canada Dept. of National Defence / National Archives of Canada PA-137186
Last updated:
Aug. 27, 2009
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18 clips in this topic . page
Radio
25:28
May 7, 1945
Victory flags are flying high, church bells are ringing, and people are celebrating in the streets. It's May 7, 1945, and the Allies have secured victory in Europe.
Radio
3:27
Dec. 30, 1941
Winston Churchill delivers an electrifying address to the Canadian Parliament during the Second World War.
Canadian troops depart for Europe.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: Aug. 27, 2009.
[Page consulted on Feb. 15, 2012.]