Contemporary Accounts

The Victoria Cross

This booklet honours Canadians who were awarded the Victoria Cross from the beginning of the Second World War to 1944.

The Canadian Daily Record

Distributed free of charge through all Canadian military units in Europe, the "Record" contained a mix of international and domestic news, to keep soldiers informed of what was going on in the wider world. It was printed on thin newsprint, so many of the surviving copies are in poor condition.

Winners of the Victoria Cross

To assist people who were called upon to give public addresses about the war, the federal government provided this digest of Victoria Cross-winning deeds, which could be used to add interest to any speech.

For Valor.pdf (38.16 MB)

Battalion mascots

Winnie the Pooh was only the most famous of the black bears to be adopted by Canadian units as mascots during the First World War.

Canada At War, Issue 2

First published in August of 1940, the Canada at War series was designed to provide Canadians with the most up-to-date information on the war effort, both overseas and at home. This is the second issue in the French-language edition of that series.

Canada at War, Nov. 1942

First published in August of 1940, the Canada at War series aimed to provide Canadians with the most up-to-date information on the war effort, both overseas and at home. This booklet is one of two supplementals to that series, published in September and October of 1942, especially devoted to the subject of the Canadian people and the war effort.

Canada at War, No. 40

First published in August of 1940, the Canada at War series aimed to provide Canadians with the most up-to-date information on the war effort, both at home and overseas. This is the 40th issue in the French-language version of that series.

The Extent of Canada's War Effort

Highlighting the fractured public opinion towards conscription and the "total war" effort that characterized the Canadian home front by 1942, this speech by the Minister of National Defence to the House of Commons attempted to identify the main issues of contention and examine Canada's role as it might evolve in the remaining years of the war.

The war so far

Intended for wide distribution within the armed forces, this booklet provided an incredibly concise account of the first five years of the Second World War.

2nd Tactical Air Force

This brief summary of the tactical use of air power was published just months before the Normandy invasion, when Allied mastery of the skies would be a critical factor in victory.

Man Overhead.pdf (15.84 MB)