The 8th Canadian Infantry Division was a military formation 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 ...

that served within Pacific Command in Western Canada during

World War II 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 ...

. The Division units were raised on 18 March 1942 and the HQ was raised on 12 May 1942 at Prince George, BC. The Division was a home defence unit, initially consisting of the 19th, 20th, and 21st Canadian Infantry Brigades. In July the home Defence Divisions were reorganised and the 8th Division consisted of the 14th and 16th Infantry Brigades. The 19th Brigade went to the

6th Canadian Infantry Division The 6th Canadian Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Canadian Army, formed in 1942 during the Second World War. It was attached to Pacific Command. The division had a brigade sent to the Aleutian Islands Campaign, particularly at ...

, the 20th went to 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 ...

, and the 21st would remain at Valcartier, PQ as a strategic reserve. The 8th Canadian Infantry Division was disbanded on 15 October 1943, along with the 16th Brigade. The 14th Brigade returned to the 6th Division. Throughout its relatively brief existence, the division was commanded by Major General Hardy N. Ganong.

Order of battle

June 1942 * Headquarters, 8th Division ** 8th Division Intelligence Section ** No. 8 Field Security Section ** No. 8 Defence and Employment Platoon ( Lorne Scots) * Machine Gun Battalion - 1st Battalion, The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment) * 19th Brigade ** 3rd Battalion, Irish Fusiliers (Vancouver Regiment) ** 1st Battalion, The Winnipeg Light Infantry ** 1st Battalion, The Prince Albert Volunteers ** No. 19 Defence Platoon * 20th Brigade ** 3rd Battalion, The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada ** 3rd Battalion,

The Royal Winnipeg Rifles The Royal Winnipeg Rifles (R Wpg Rif) are a Primary Reserve one-battalion infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. Nicknamed the "Little Black Devils", they are based at Minto Armoury in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles are part of 3rd ...

** 1st Battalion, 2nd/10th Dragoons ** No. 20 Defence Platoon * 21st Brigade ** 3rd Battalion,

Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. Lineage File:FMR Colours.jpg, The regimental colour of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal. File:FMR Camp Flag.jpg, The camp flag of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal. File:Fusilie ...

** 3rd Battalion, Le Régiment de Maisonneuve ** 1st Battalion, Le Régiment de Lévis ** No. 21 Defence Platoon Units of the supporting arms included: *

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, Eighth Divisional Artillery, RCA ** 25th Field Regiment *** 114th Field Battery *** 115th Field Battery *** 116th Field Battery ** 26th Field Regiment *** 117th Field Battery *** 118th Field Battery *** 119th Field Battery ** 27th Field Regiment *** 120th Field Battery *** 121st Field Battery *** 122nd Field 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 8th Divisional Engineers, RCE *** 21st Field Company, RCE *** 24th Field Company, RCE * Royal Canadian Corps of Signals: ** Headquarters 8th Divisional Signals RCCS * Canadian Provost Corps: ** Provost Company Plus units of the RCASC, RCAMC, RCOC, CPC, etc.

References

{{Infantry Division of Canada Infantry divisions of Canada Canadian World War II divisions Military units and formations established in 1942 Military units and formations disestablished in 1943