6th Canadian Infantry Division
Encyclopedia
The 6th Canadian Infantry Division was a Canadian
infantry
division
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. 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.
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, the division was disbanded, the process completing by 31 January 1945. Remaining units loaned from other, now defunct divisions, were finally disbanded in January 1946.
intended to be used in Operation Olympic, the planned 1945 invasion of Japan. The division was to be commanded by Major General Bert Hoffmeister
. 6th Division was organized on American lines and with U.S. equipment, but units were named after the component units of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division
. The division was disbanded after Japan's surrender made the Corps's use unnecessary.
Canadian Forces Land Force Command
The Canadian Army , previously called Land Force Command, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of the Army is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers...
infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
formed in 1942 during the Second World War. It was attached to Pacific Command
Pacific Command (Canadian Army)
Pacific Command was a formation of the Canadian Army created during the Second World War to strengthen and administer home defence facilities on Canada's Pacific Coast against possible Japanese attack. A second major function was to train reinforcements to be sent to the Canadian divisions in...
. The division had a brigade sent to the Aleutian Islands Campaign, particularly at Kiska
Kiska
Kiska is an island in the Rat Islands group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska located at . It is about long and varies in width from - Discovery :...
, but never saw action. The 6th Division was to have been part of a proposed Commonwealth Corps
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 in during 1945 and 1946. The corps was never formed however, as the Japanese surrender obviated any need for it...
, formed for a planned invasion of Japan
Operation Downfall
Operation Downfall was the Allied plan for the invasion of Japan near the end of World War II. The operation was cancelled when Japan surrendered after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet Union's declaration of war against Japan. The operation had two parts: Operation...
, but was disbanded in 1945, after the war was ended by the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Home defence
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 IslandVancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
in British Columbia. Various composite units were stationed at Port Alberni, Vancouver Island
Port Alberni, British Columbia
Port Alberni is a city located in the province of British Columbia in Canada. It is the location of the head offices of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. The city has a total population of 17,743, and the census agglomeration area a total of 25,396....
and Vernon
Vernon, British Columbia
Vernon is a city in the south-central region of British Columbia, Canada. Named after Forbes George Vernon, a former MLA of British Columbia who helped found the famed Coldstream Ranch, the City of Vernon was incorporated on December 30, 1892. The City of Vernon has a population of 35,944 , while...
. 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
Kiska
Kiska is an island in the Rat Islands group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska located at . It is about long and varies in width from - Discovery :...
only to find the island abandoned, and in late 1943, the 7th Canadian Infantry Division
7th Canadian Infantry Division
The 7th Infantry Division of the Canadian Army was mobilized in the spring of 1942 and assigned for home defence within Atlantic Command.At the time is was assumed it would consist of volunteers and proceed overseas...
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, the division was disbanded, the process completing by 31 January 1945. Remaining units loaned from other, now defunct divisions, were finally disbanded in January 1946.
Reformation as part of CAPF
The Division was reformed as part of the Canadian Army Pacific Force, and was to be a component of the Commonwealth CorpsCommonwealth 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 in during 1945 and 1946. The corps was never formed however, as the Japanese surrender obviated any need for it...
intended to be used in Operation Olympic, the planned 1945 invasion of Japan. The division was to be commanded by Major General Bert Hoffmeister
Bert Hoffmeister
Major General Bertram Meryl Hoffmeister, OC, CB, CBE, DSO and Bar, ED was a Canadian Army officer, businessman, and conservationist.-Biography:...
. 6th Division was organized on American lines and with U.S. equipment, but units were named after the component units of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division
1st Canadian Infantry Division
The 1st Canadian Infantry Division was a formation mobilized on 1 September 1939 for service in the Second World War. The division was also reactivated twice during the Cold War....
. The division was disbanded after Japan's surrender made the Corps's use unnecessary.
March 1942
- Headquarters, Sixth Division
- 6th Division Intelligence Section
- No. 6 Field Security Section
- No. 6 Defence and Employment Platoon (Lorne Scots)
- Machine gun battalion – 1st Battalion, The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
- 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade
- 2nd Battalion, The Canadian Scottish Regiment
- 1st Battalion, The Brockville RiflesThe Brockville RiflesThe Brockville Rifles is a Primary Reserve Infantry Regiment of the Canadian Forces. It is fifteenth in the order of precedence.The motto of the regiment is Semper Paratus meaning 'Always Ready'.-History:...
- 1st Battalion, The Edmonton Fusiliers
- No. 13 Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)
- 14th Canadian Infantry Brigade
- 1st Battalion, The Kent RegimentThe Kent RegimentThe Kent Regiment was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. In 1954 it was amalgamated with The Essex Scottish Regiment to form The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment....
- 1st Battalion, The King's Own Rifles of Canada
- 1st Battalion, The Midland Regiment (Northumberland and Durham)
- No. 14 Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)
- 1st Battalion, The Kent Regiment
- 15th Canadian Infantry Brigade
- 1st Battalion, Les Fusiliers de SherbrookeLes Fusiliers de SherbrookeLes Fusiliers de Sherbrooke is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. It is based in Sherbrooke, Quebec, with a sub-unit in Granby.-Armourial description:...
- 1st Battalion, Le Régiment de Montmagny
- 1st Battalion, Le Régiment de Québec
- No. 15 Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)
- 1st Battalion, Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke
- Canadian Armoured Corps
- 31st (Alberta) Reconnaissance Battalion
- Royal Canadian Artillery
- 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
- 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
August 1943 at Kiska
- 9th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
- 19th Field Regiment
- 20th Field Regiment (shared with the 7th Canadian Infantry Division7th Canadian Infantry DivisionThe 7th Infantry Division of the Canadian Army was mobilized in the spring of 1942 and assigned for home defence within Atlantic Command.At the time is was assumed it would consist of volunteers and proceed overseas...
) - 21st Field Regiment
- 24th Field Regiment (shared with the 7th Canadian Infantry Division7th Canadian Infantry DivisionThe 7th Infantry Division of the Canadian Army was mobilized in the spring of 1942 and assigned for home defence within Atlantic Command.At the time is was assumed it would consist of volunteers and proceed overseas...
) - 25th Field Regiment
- 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade
- The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
- The Winnipeg Grenadiers
- The Rocky Mountain Rangers
- Le Régiment de Hull
- 24th Field Regiment, RCA
- 46th Light AA Battery, RCA
- 24th Field Company, RCE
- 1 Company, St. John Fusiliers M-G
November 1943
- No. 6 Defence and Employment Platoon (Lorne Scots)
- 31st (Alberta) Reconnaissance Regiment
- 15th, 25th, 26th Field Companies, RCE
- 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group
- 24th Field Regiment, RCA
- 46th Light AA Battery, RCA
- The Canadian Fusiliers
- The Winnipeg Grenadiers
- The Rocky Mountain Rangers
- Le Regiment de Hull
- 1 Company, St. John Fusiliers M-G
- 24th Field Company, RCE
- No. 13 Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)
- 14th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group
- 25th Field Regiment, RCA
- 48th Light AA Battery, RCA
- The Winnipeg Light Infantry
- Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke
- The Oxford Rifles
- The Prince of Wales's Own Rangers
- 1 Company, St. John Fusiliers M-G
- No. 14 Ground Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)
- 15th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group
- 20th Field Regiment, RCA
- 25th Light AA Battery, RCA
- The Prince Albert Volunteers
- Les Fusiliers du St. Laurent
- Prince Edward Island Highlanders
- The Royal Rifles of Canada
- No. 15 Ground Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)
- 1 Company, St. John Fusiliers M-G
November 1944
- No. 6 Defence and Employment Platoon (Lorne Scots)
- 31st (Alberta) Reconnaissance Regiment
- St. John Fusiliers M-G
- 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
- The Winnipeg Light Infantry
- Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke
- The Oxford Rifles
- No. 14 Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)
- 15th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group
- The Prince Albert Volunteers
- Les Fusiliers du St. Laurent
- Prince Edward Island Highlanders
- No. 15 Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)
- 16th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group
- The Midland Regiment
- The Royal Rifles of Canada
- The Prince of Wales's Own Rangers