Battles and stages

Afghanistan Stage 1

Canada joins the efforts

After terrorist attacks on the United States, Canadian Armed Forces joined international efforts to secure and rebuild Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Stage 2

Combat in Kandahar

The conflict enters its most dangerous phase for Canadians. Our troops led their largest combat operation since the Korean War.

Afghanistan Stage 3

Training and rebuilding

Canada's combat role ended. Our main role shifted to more humanitarian efforts and helping the Afghanistan government become independent and look after their own country's security.

Rwanda Stage 1

Background to the conflict

Violence between Rwanda's governing Hutus and the Rwandan Patriotic Front headed toward a full-scale civil war.

Rwanda Stage 2

The world responds

The Rwandan government and the Rwandan Patriotic Front signed the Arusha Peace Agreement.

Rwanda Stage 3

Genocide

President Habyarimana's assassination led Rwanda into 100 days of horrific violence. More than 800,000 Rwandans died.

Rwanda Stage 4

Canada and UNAMIR II

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda II is created to stop massacres, protect civilians and provide humanitarian aid.

Rwanda Stage 5

Aftermath

Canadian Armed Forces members leave Rwanda. Despite Canadians' efforts being restricted during the genocide, they saved many Rwandans.

Balkans Stage 1

A war-torn land

After the breakup of Yugoslavia, the international community began peace support missions in the war-torn Balkans. Canada played a major role.

Balkans Stage 2

The Medak Pocket

Tasked with protecting civilians in Croatia, Canadian Armed Forces came under heavy fire.

Balkans Stage 3

NATO efforts in the Balkans

Canadian Armed Forces warplanes took part in NATO air strikes in Kosovo. They saw some of their heaviest action since the Korean War.

Gulf War Stage 1

Tension in the Persian Gulf

Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, Canadian Armed Forces members deployed to the region. They joined the largest international coalition of military forces since the Second World War.

Gulf War Stage 2

The Coalition offensive begins

After Iraq refused to withdraw, the Coalition forces began a massive air campaign. Our CF-18 jets launch Canada's first air-to-surface attacks since the Korean War.

Cyprus Stage 1

Background to the conflict

Tensions grew between the Greek and Turkish people. Violence and unrest spread across Cyprus.

Cyprus Stage 2

Canada and the world respond

On 4 March 1964, the United Nations set up the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus to help restore order. Canada has participated since the beginning.

Battle of Kapyong

On 24-25 April 1951, Canadian troops fought a difficult battle in the hills above the Kapyong Valley.

Hill 355

Canadian soldiers saw heavy action on several occasions in the area of the front lines around Hill 355.

Canadians in South-east Asia

Despite the hardships faced in places like Hong Kong and Burma, brave Canadians did their part to help the Allies triumph.

Liberation of the Netherlands

Town by town, canal by canal, Canadian soldiers pushed back the occupying German forces in the Netherlands.

Battle of the Atlantic

Canadian naval and air forces helped protect the vital flow of Allied shipping across the Atlantic.

Dieppe Raid

In 1942, Canadians tried to raid Dieppe. It was the single bloodiest day of the war for our troops.

Italian Campaign

Canadian soldiers fought their way north in Italy from the summer of 1943 to early 1945.

D-Day and the Battle of Normandy

Canadians landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, 6 June 1944, and helped begin the liberation of Western Europe.

Liberation of Belgium

In the fall of 1944, Canadian troops helped liberate Belgium in northwest Europe.

Battle of the Scheldt

To help the Allies gain access to the port of Antwerp, Canadians fought to clear the Germans from the Scheldt.

2nd Battle of Ypres

Facing the first poison gas attack of the war, Canadian troops helped hold the line against the Germans.

Battle of the Somme

Canadians faced months of hard fighting at the Somme in the late summer and fall of 1916.

Battle of Beaumont-Hamel

Soldiers from Newfoundland suffered massive losses on one of the bloodiest days of the entire war.

Battle of Vimy Ridge

Ample planning helped Canadians achieve a major victory on the Western Front.

Battle of Hill 70

Canadians fought a major battle to capture Hill 70 and the town of Lens in northern France.

Monchy-le-Preux

A few Newfoundlanders bravely held off a larger German force.

Battle of Passchendaele

Canadian soldiers fought through hard rains, deep mud and heavy enemy fire to take Passchendaele.

Gallipoli Campaign

Newfoundland Regiment participated in the Gallipoli Campaign from September 1915 to January 1916, where 30 were killed in action and 10 more died of disease.

Battle of Paardeberg

In February of 1900, Canadian soldiers played an important role in the first major British victory of the South African War.

Battle of Leliefontein

In November 1900, during the South African War, the Royal Canadian Dragoons held the line when tasked with covering a British withdrawal.

Battle of Hart's River

The Battle of Hart's River in March 1902 was one of the bloodiest days of the South African War for Canadian troops.