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 Kiska, but never saw action.[1] The 6th Division was to have been part of a proposed Commonwealth Corps, formed for a planned invasion of Japan, but was disbanded in 1945, after the war was ended by the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

6th Canadian Infantry Division
6th Canadian Infantry Division formation patch.
Active1942–1944
Country Canada
Branch Canadian Army
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
EngagementsAleutian Islands Campaign
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Major General E.A. Potts, CBE, ED (20 May 1942 – 11 October 1943)
Major General H.N. Ganong, CBE (16 October 1943 – 15 December 1944)

History

The 6th 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 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 Kiska only to find the island abandoned, and in late 1943, the 7th Canadian Infantry Division 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.[1]

However, planning for a proposed Allied invasion of Japan called for a Canadian division to be a component of a combined Commonwealth Corps. 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 and its primary units were named after the components of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. 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 1945.[1]

Order of battle

March 1942

August 1943 at Kiska

November 1943

November 1944
  • No. 6 Defence and Employment Platoon (Lorne Scots)
  • 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 St-Laurent
    • 1st Battalion, The Prince Edward Island Highlanders
    • No. 15 Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)
  • 16th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group

Notes
  1. 6th Canadian Division at Canadian Soldier, retrieved 22 November 2007
  2. The Canadian Army, 1943–44 retrieved 20 November 2007
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