At ease,
For anyone interested in delving deeper into the various major battles and campaigns fought by the Canadian Army in WWII, may I heartily recommend you consider the Canadian Battle Series of books written by Mark Zuehlke, an award-winning author, generally considered to be Canada’s foremost popular military historian. This series of 13 books to-date (each one thoroughly covering a pivotal point of the Canadian war effort on the ground) is the most exhaustive recounting of the various individual battles and campaigns fought in the many various European theaters by any nation during World War II to have been written by a single author, and each of them brings to life in exquisite detail the critical strategic, tactical and individual actions of those times.
And if your interests are more tuned to the perspective of the individual experience, then may I recommend two books in particular (And No Birds Sang & My Fathers Son) written by renown Canadian author Farley Mowat who recounts his own WWII experiences as a wet behind the ears, green, idealistic second lieutenant and platoon leader barely out of his teens bound for war in the Italian theater. Beautifully written, together they provide a compelling reflection on the tragedy, suffering, bravery, chaos, and occasional comedy of war and the coming of age of a young man and solider.
Lastly, Mowat also penned a third book about the war in his volume titled "The Regiment" which is more specifically about the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment (The Hasty P's) with whom he served, and who were Canada's most decorated regiment of the second world war. Here he tells the story of this regiment from their recruitment in September 1939 until the end of the war, and writes movingly of the trials and tribulations endured by his follow soldiers.
Good reading and cheers!
For anyone interested in delving deeper into the various major battles and campaigns fought by the Canadian Army in WWII, may I heartily recommend you consider the Canadian Battle Series of books written by Mark Zuehlke, an award-winning author, generally considered to be Canada’s foremost popular military historian. This series of 13 books to-date (each one thoroughly covering a pivotal point of the Canadian war effort on the ground) is the most exhaustive recounting of the various individual battles and campaigns fought in the many various European theaters by any nation during World War II to have been written by a single author, and each of them brings to life in exquisite detail the critical strategic, tactical and individual actions of those times.
And if your interests are more tuned to the perspective of the individual experience, then may I recommend two books in particular (And No Birds Sang & My Fathers Son) written by renown Canadian author Farley Mowat who recounts his own WWII experiences as a wet behind the ears, green, idealistic second lieutenant and platoon leader barely out of his teens bound for war in the Italian theater. Beautifully written, together they provide a compelling reflection on the tragedy, suffering, bravery, chaos, and occasional comedy of war and the coming of age of a young man and solider.
Lastly, Mowat also penned a third book about the war in his volume titled "The Regiment" which is more specifically about the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment (The Hasty P's) with whom he served, and who were Canada's most decorated regiment of the second world war. Here he tells the story of this regiment from their recruitment in September 1939 until the end of the war, and writes movingly of the trials and tribulations endured by his follow soldiers.
Good reading and cheers!
