On the morning of September 1st, news rocked the world that Germany was again at War. True to the promises made by the Allies, Neville Chamberlain announced that if no agreement towards the withdrawal of German men from Poland is submitted to the British Diplomat by Eleven that day, The British Empire would officially join the war. No such agreement was reached.
On September 3rd, Britain and France declared war on Germany. Canada following a special gathering of Parliament followed suit on September 10th. Poland would fall within a month, as Pinsers from Rundstedt, and Von Bock met in the Polish Capital with Poland capitulating on October 6.
The period which came to follow this rapid and comprehensive defeat became a time referred to as the Phoney War, or through popular media, the “Sitzkreig”. This was the time between September 3rd, and the commencing of “Fall Gelb” translated as “Case Yellow” or the Von Manstein plan, the invasion of France on the 10th of May 1940.
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This buffer time became vital for the Canadian war effort, allowing necessary time to ship divisions to France, establish air wings, and importantly consolidate support on the home front. During these months little conflict occurred on the Western Front along the Maginot line, and Rheinland regions. Hence the name the “Phoney War”, both sides opting instead to spend the remainder of 1939 scheming for the following year’s affairs, which would be of vital importance.
Despite the superiority of German commanders and armour, having 7 independent Panzer divisions. The Polish campaign accounted for 236 lost tanks, practically an entire division’s worth. Furthermore, under the guides or Commanders such as Heinz Guderian, GeneralOberst in the Heer and author of “Achtung Panzer”, the Germans adopted a unique strategy centred around fast moving coordinated armoured thrusts aimed to breakthrough the enemy line, outflank, and harass enemy communications and supply lines.
This proved devastatingly effective. With all this in mind Canadian commanders sought to bolster their numbers. During the period from September to May the following year the Canadians would get this chance. Following WWI, Canadians had made a name for themselves during bloody battles such as Vimy Ridge, and Ypres.
This unofficial boost in autonomy national pride and patriotism carried into the Second World War. During the month of September alone 58,337 men enlisted in the Canadian armed forces completely independent of conscription which Mackenzie King was opposed to, although this would ultimately change with the “National Resources Mobilization Act”.Particularly concerning possible clashes over mandatory conscription, as during the Great War, this had a strain on Canadian unity. Nonetheless many Canadians were steadfast. Although this hadn’t always been the attitude.
On March 12, 1938 the “Anschluss” of Austria occurred, incorporating the nation into the German Reich directly. Later on the 30th of September following the Munich conference the Sudetenland was Handed over to Germany overseen by the British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, with Mussolini acting as mediator. This event pressured the government into doubling the defence budget at this point, much to the delight of many Canadians.
As the ambitions of Hitler became more prevalent across Europe, and abroad a change in Canadian attitude towards war prevailed, and after the remainder of Czechoslovakia fell into the grip of German rule many Canadians yearned to cease the ambitious, territorial conquest being undertaken by Hitler.
With Canada’s entry into the war, public opinion was quite high both for the government, and for the war. This would soon turn later into 1940-1941 due to the inaction of Canadian forces deployed in Europe. Nevertheless public support and morale remained high, regardless of the impending disaster in France.
Moving away from the homefront upon the decision Canada would enter the war Parliament limited the Armed Forces to dispatching one division to Europe whilst maintaining a second division for home defence. Although an Axis invasion of Canada was not at all possible without even placing supply lines, and the Royal Navy into the equation.
The stellar victory in the invasion of Poland worried Allied Command. With the Canadian Expeditionary Force making haste to arrive in France for the upcoming engagements. Allied Commanders had anticipated a repeat of the First World War with German commanders opting to follow the “Schlieffen Plan” which postured German divisions to strike through neutral Belgium and bypass French defenses on the Maginot line.
Thus, upon the arrival of contingents of the “1st Canadian Infantry Division” in December of 1939 the division was placed to intercept an oncoming German invasion, along with the formidable French 1st Army, and the British Expeditionary Force. At the helm of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division was Major General Andrew McNaughton (Later Lt. General, commander of the 1st Canadian Corps.)
All with a unanimous course to intercept German spearheads at the Meuse, and Senne rivers in Belgium. Upon the arrival of the first contingents of Canadian men, “they soon realized the barracks were not finalized and they were lacking gear. As a result, they spent the next few months training with wooden bullets.” Major reasons behind the Phoney war were exactly that, attrition and the Canadians began to get their first taste of it.
