The 6th Canadian Infantry Division was an

infantry Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...

division of the

Canadian Army The Canadian Army () is the command (military formation), command responsible for the operational readiness of the conventional ground forces of the Canadian Armed Forces. It maintains regular forces units at bases across Canada, and is also re ...

, formed in 1942 during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. It was attached to Pacific Command. The division had a

brigade A brigade is a major tactical military unit, military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute ...

sent to the

Aleutian Islands Campaign The Aleutian Islands campaign () was a military campaign fought between 3 June 1942 and 15 August 1943 on and around the Aleutian Islands in the American theater (World War II), American Theater of World War II during the Pacific War. It was t ...

, particularly at

Kiska Kiska (, ) is one of the Rat Islands, a group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. It is about long and varies in width from . It is part of Aleutian Islands Wilderness and as such, special permission is required to visit it. The island has ...

, but never saw action. The 6th Division was to have been part of a proposed

Commonwealth Corps The Commonwealth Corps was the name given to a proposed British Commonwealth army formation, which was scheduled to take part in the planned Allied invasion of Japan during 1945 and 1946. The corps was never formed, however, as the Japanese sur ...

, formed for a planned invasion of Japan, but was disbanded on 31 January 1946, after the

surrender of Japan The surrender of the Empire of Japan in World War II was Hirohito surrender broadcast, announced by Emperor Hirohito on 15 August and formally Japanese Instrument of Surrender, signed on 2 September 1945, End of World War II in Asia, ending ...

in August 1945.

History

The 6th Canadian Infantry Division was raised as part of a home-defence scheme in Canada, the culmination of various mobilizations throughout 1941 and 1942. The 6th was raised in March 1942 with its headquarters on

Vancouver Island Vancouver Island is an island in the northeastern Pacific Ocean and part of the Canadian province of British Columbia. The island is in length, in width at its widest point, and in total area, while are of land. The island is the largest ...

in British Columbia. Various composite units were stationed at Port Alberni, Vancouver Island and Vernon. Throughout 1943, the division lost its artillery units to coastal defence work, and other battalions were shipped overseas. In June 1943, these units were sent to

only to find the island abandoned, and in late 1943, the

7th Canadian Infantry Division The 7th Canadian Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Canadian Army, mobilized in the spring of 1942 and assigned for home defence within Atlantic Command, during World War II. At the time it was assumed it would consist of volun ...

was disbanded and various battalions were amalgamated into the 6th. By January 1944, the units had returned from Kiska, having not taken part in any fighting. On 1 December 1944, the need for coastal defence having lessened, it was decided that the division should be disbanded. However, planning for a proposed Allied invasion of Japan called for a Canadian division to be a component of a combined

. Disbandment of the 6th halted and it was re-formed as the main component of the Canadian Army Pacific Force, with the inclusion of units that served with other divisions. The re-formed division was commanded by Major General

Bert Hoffmeister Major General Bertram Meryl Hoffmeister, (15 May 1907 – 4 December 1999) was a Canadian Army officer, businessman, and conservationist. He served with distinction during the last two years of the Second World War, becoming, in Jack Granatstei ...

and its primary units were named after the components of the

1st Canadian Infantry Division The 1st Canadian Division (French: ) is a joint operational command and control formation based at CFB Kingston, and falls under Canadian Joint Operations Command. It is a high-readiness unit, able to move on very short notice, and is staffed a ...

. However, its battalions were to be organized along the lines of a US Army infantry division and would be equipped primarily with US-made weapons, vehicles and equipment. Following the surrender of Japan, the division's disbandment continued. The remaining units were disbanded by 31 January 1946.

Order of battle

March 1942

* Headquarters, Sixth Division ** 6th Division Intelligence Section * No. 6 Field Security Section * No. 6 Defence and Employment Platoon (

Lorne Scots The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment) is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. It is part of the 4th Canadian Division's 32 Canadian Brigade Group. Organization The sub-units of the Lorne Scots are in the follo ...

) * Machine gun battalion – 1st Battalion,

The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) __FORCETOC__ The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was an infantry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia (now the Canadian Army). In 1954, the regiment was amalgamated with the Oxford Rifles to form the L ...

13th Canadian Infantry Brigade The 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade was a formation of the Canadian Army that served in both World Wars. During World War I, the brigade formed part of the 5th Canadian Division. However, the 13th Brigade never saw combat as the brigade along wi ...

** 2nd Battalion,

The Canadian Scottish Regiment The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army based on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The regiment is in Victoria, Nanaimo, and Courtenay, British Columbia. It is part of the 3 ...

** 1st Battalion,

The Brockville Rifles The Brockville Rifles is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. The unit is a part of the 33 Canadian Brigade Group, 4th Canadian Division. It is fifteenth in the order of precedence of Canadian Army Infantry Regiments. Badge ...

** 1st Battalion,

The Edmonton Fusiliers The Edmonton Fusiliers was an infantry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia and later the Canadian Army. First raised in 1908 as part of the 101st Regiment Edmonton Fusiliers, it became a separate regiment in 192 ...

** No. 13 Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots) *

14th Canadian Infantry Brigade 14 (fourteen) is the natural number following 13 and preceding 15. Mathematics Fourteen is the seventh composite number. Properties 14 is the third distinct semiprime, being the third of the form 2 \times q (where q is a higher prime). ...

** 1st Battalion, The Kent Regiment ** 1st Battalion,

The King's Own Rifles of Canada The Saskatchewan Dragoons is a Primary Reserve armoured regiment of the Canadian Army. The unit is based in Moose Jaw. Their primary job is to assist the Regular Force in meeting Canada's military commitments. Their training and equipment closely ...

** 1st Battalion,

The Midland Regiment (Northumberland and Durham) The Midland Regiment was an infantry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia and later the Canadian Army. The regiment was formed in 1936 by the Amalgamation of The Northumberland Regiment and The Durham Regiment. In 19 ...

** No. 14 Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots) *

15th Canadian Infantry Brigade In music, a fifteenth or double octave, abbreviated ''15ma'', is the interval between one musical note and another with one-quarter the wavelength or quadruple the frequency. It has also been referred to as the bisdiapason. The fourth harmonic, ...

** 1st Battalion,

Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. It is based in Sherbrooke, Quebec, with a sub-unit in Granby. Badge A grenade with the Crown superimposed upon the ball within an annulet inscribed ''Les ...

** 1st Battalion, Le Régiment de Montmagny ** 1st Battalion, Le Régiment de Québec ** No. 15 Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots) *

Canadian Armoured Corps The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (RCAC; ) is the armoured corps within the Canadian Army, including 3 Regular and 18 Reserve Force regiments,The Regiments and Corps of the Canadian Army (Queen's Printer, 1964) as well as the Royal Canadian Armo ...

31st (Alberta) Reconnaissance Battalion 31 (thirty-one) is the natural number following 30 and preceding 32. It is a prime number. Mathematics 31 is the 11th prime number. It is a superprime and a self prime (after 3, 5, and 7), as no integer added up to its base 10 digits resu ...

Royal Canadian Artillery The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery () is the artillery personnel branch of the Canadian Army. History Many of the units and batteries of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery are older than the Dominion of Canada itself. The first arti ...

** Headquarters, Sixth Divisional Artillery, RCA ** 19th Field Regiment ** 20th Field Regiment ** 21st Field Regiment ** 9th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment *** 25th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery *** 46th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery *** 48th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery *** 79th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery ** 6th Anti-Tank Regiment *** 33rd Anti-Tank Battery *** 56th Anti-Tank Battery *** 74th Anti-Tank Battery *** 103rd Anti-Tank Battery *

Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers The Canadian Military Engineers (CME; ) is the military engineering personnel branch of the Canadian Armed Forces. The members of the branch that wear army uniform comprise the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE; ). The mission of the Canadia ...

** Headquarters 6th Divisional Engineers, RCE ** 7th Field Park Company, RCE ** 20th Field Company, RCE ** 25th Field Company, RCE ** 26th Field Company, RCE *

Royal Canadian Corps of Signals The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS or RC Sigs; ) is a component within the Canadian Armed Forces' Communications and Electronics Branch, consisting of all members of that personnel branch who wear army uniform. Prior to 1968 it was a combat ...

** Headquarters 6th Divisional Signals RCCS''6th Canadian Division''
at Canadian Soldier, Retrieved 22 November 2007 *

Royal Canadian Army Service Corps The Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) was an administrative and transport corps of the Canadian Army. The Canadian Army Service Corps was established in the Non-Permanent Active Militia in 1901 and in the Permanent Active Militia in 19 ...

** 6th Divisional Petrol Company, RCASC.

August 1943 at Kiska

* 9th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA * 19th Field Regiment, RCA * 20th Field Regiment, RCA (shared with the

) * 21st Field Regiment, RCA * 24th Field Regiment, RCA (shared with the

) * 25th Field Regiment, RCA * 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade ** 1st Battalion,

** 1st Battalion,

The Winnipeg Grenadiers The Winnipeg Grenadiers was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. First formed on 1 April 1908 under General Order No. 20. Initially it was raised with headquarters at Morden, Manitoba, and companies at: A Company at Morden, B Co ...

** 1st Battalion,

The Rocky Mountain Rangers The Rocky Mountain Rangers is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army, one of only four infantry regiments in British Columbia, and the only infantry unit that recruits in Northern BC and much of the Interior. The regimental hea ...

** 1st Battalion, Le Régiment de Hull ** 24th Field Regiment, RCA ** 46th Light AA Battery, RCA ** 24th Field Company, RCE ** "C" Company, 1st Battalion, The Saint John Fusiliers (Machine Gun)The Canadian Army, 1943–44
Retrieved 20 November 2007

November 1943

* No. 6 Defence and Employment Platoon (

) * 31st (Alberta) Reconnaissance Regiment ** 15th, 25th, 26th Field Companies, RCE * 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group ** 24th Field Regiment, RCA ** 46th Light AA Battery, RCA ** 1st Battalion,

** 1st Battalion,

** 1st Battalion, ** 1 Company, 1st Battalion, The Saint John Fusiliers (Machine Gun) ** 24th Field Company, RCE ** No. 13 Defence Platoon (

) * 14th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group ** 25th Field Regiment, RCA ** 48th Light AA Battery, RCA ** 1st Battalion,

The Winnipeg Light Infantry The Winnipeg Light Infantry was an infantry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia (now the Canadian Army). In 1955, the regiment was amalgamated with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. Lineage The Winnipeg Light Infantr ...

** 1st Battalion, ** 1st Battalion,

The Oxford Rifles The Oxford Rifles were an infantry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia (now the Canadian Army). In 1954, the regiment was amalgamated with The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) to form The London and Oxf ...

** 1st Battalion,

The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment) The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment) was an infantry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia (now the Canadian Army). It was formed in 1936 by the amalgamation of The Peterborough Rangers and the 3rd Prin ...

** 1 Company, 1st Battalion, The Saint John Fusiliers (Machine Gun) ** No. 14 Ground Defence Platoon (

) * 15th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group ** 20th Field Regiment, RCA ** 25th Light AA Battery, RCA ** 1st Battalion, The

Prince Albert Volunteers The Prince Albert Volunteers (PAV) is the name of two historical infantry units headquartered in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The unit was first raised in 1885 during the North-West Rebellion and disbanded after hostilities ceased. In the 20th cen ...

** 1st Battalion, ** 1st Battalion,

The Prince Edward Island Highlanders The Prince Edward Island Highlanders was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. In 1946, the regiment was amalgamated with The Prince Edward Island Light Horse to form The Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC). Lineage The Prince Edward I ...

** 1st Battalion,

The Royal Rifles of Canada The Royal Rifles of Canada was a rifle regiment in the Canadian Army and fought alongside The Winnipeg Grenadiers in the Battle of Hong Kong during World War II. In November 1966, it was reduced to nil strength and placed on the Supplementary Orde ...

** No. 15 Ground Defence Platoon (

) ** 1 Company, 1st Battalion, The Saint John Fusiliers (Machine Gun)

November 1944

*No. 6 Defence and Employment Platoon (

) * 31st (Alberta) Reconnaissance Regiment ** 1st Battalion, The Saint John Fusiliers (Machine Gun) ** 20th, 24th, 25th Field Regiments, RCA ** 22nd Heavy AA Battery (Mobile), RCA ** 25th, 46th, 48th Light AA Batteries, RCA ** 15th, 24th, 25th, 26th Field Companies, RCE * 14th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group ** 1st Battalion, The Winnipeg Light Infantry ** 1st Battalion, Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke ** 1st Battalion, The Oxford Rifles ** No. 14 Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots) * 15th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group ** 1st Battalion, The Prince Albert Volunteers ** 1st Battalion, Les Fusiliers du S^t-Laurent ** 1st Battalion, The Prince Edward Island Highlanders ** No. 15 Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots) * 16th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group ** 1st Battalion,

** 1st Battalion, The Royal Rifles of Canada ** 1st Battalion, The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Canadian Infantry Division 6 Infantry divisions of Canada 06 Military units and formations established in 1942 Aleutian Islands campaign