Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King’s statement
July 10, 1943
The war for the liberation of the conquered and enslaved countries of Europe has just entered upon a new and vital phase.
Armed forces of Britain, the United States and Canada now are in the forefront of an attack which has, as its ultimate objective, the unconditional surrender of Italy and Germany.
All Canada will be justifiably proud to know that units of the Canadian Army are a part of the Allied force engaged in this attack.
A communiqué just received reports that early in the morning of July 10 – which has already dawned in Europe – Allied forces under the command of Gen. Eisenhower began landing operations in Sicily. The landings were preceded by Allied air attack. Allied naval forces escorted the assault forces and bombarded the coast defenses during the assault.
After Dunkerque, the Canadian Army became a living shield of defense against the threatened invasion of Britain. When the British Expeditionary Force which survived Dunkerque reached England’s shores, it had lost large numbers of men, and practically all its weapons, munitions and equipment. Almost the only land force in the United Kingdom, at that time, equipped to meet an invader, was the 1st Canadian Division.
The role of defenders of Britain was thrust in this way upon the Canadians. As successive divisions and reinforcements crossed the Atlantic from Canada, they were fitted into that role.
For the three years since, the Canadian Army in Britain has helped to maintain the security of the world’s citadel of freedom. This has been in accordance with the strategy planned by those who have had the supreme direction of the war.
The news we have received marks for Canada the beginning of a new phase of the war. The Canadian Army has had few opportunities for active combat with the enemy. This has not been through any fault of its own or because of any policy of the Canadian government.
From the outbreak of war, the government of Canada has adhered to the position that Canadian forces, in whole or in part, should be used where and when they can make the best contribution to the winning of the war.
When French resistance collapsed in June 1940, Canadian troops were in France on the point of entering the battle. I have mentioned the vital share the Canadian Army has had in the defense of Britain in the subsequent three years. During that long period, as months grew into years, Canada’s army in Britain grew in numbers, in efficiency, in mobility and in armament.
Its presence in Britain was the means of holding in Western Europe German forces many times its size.
Meanwhile, by a strange turn of the wheel of fortune in this global war, it fell to other units of Canada’s army, at the other side of the world, to see the first action in which Canadian soldiers took part. When, in overwhelming force, Japan struck her treacherous blow, Canadian troops at Hong Kong fought heroically against hopeless odds.
It was not until many months later, at Dieppe, that units of the army in Britain first went into action against the enemy. That gallant though costly operation was a preparation for further operations, some of which have already developed.
Both at Dieppe and at Hong Kong, the courage and the daring of Canadian soldiers reflected undying honor upon themselves and upon our country.
More recently, in order to gain experience in leadership under fire, officers and non-commissioned officers from our army in Britain went into battle with the British 1st Army in Tunisia. That experience was also a part of the preparation for the coming days.
In this new phase of the war for Canada, the Army will share with the Navy and the Air force the heat of combat and also inevitable sufferings and losses.
We can expect no easy victories and no quick successes. Rather must we be prepared for fierce fighting and for a long struggle.
We shall need firmness and steadiness in the individual citizen. We shall need calm and fortitude in the homes of Canada.
The soldiers of Canada have gone into battle exceptionally well-trained, superbly equipped, keen and full of spirit, ready for offensive warfare.
The fighting men of Canada – on land, at sea and in the air – are risking their lives to preserve everything that all of us hold dear. They are joined together, in the cause of freedom, in the service of their fellowmen, and by an abiding attachment to their homeland.
All Canada will share the pride of their loved ones in their courage and in their achievements.
Of one thing we may be assured! They will not fail us.
We must not fail them.
They will fight better for the assurance of the support of a united Canada. We, too, shall need all the strength that comes from a deep feeling of unity.
I repeat, we must not fail our fighting men. In the name of Canada, I give to them the assurance that Canada will not fail her fighting men.
