It promises to be a long and exhausting struggle  The Battle of the Atlantic  Submarines attack in the St. Lawrence The Dieppe Raid

In 1939, well aware that the coming conflict would be long and demanding, Canadians went to war at Britain's side. The Canadian government took immediate measures to increase its military strength, to revitalize industry and to mobilize all the resources of the country in preparation for a sustained war effort.

Early in the war, the Atlantic Ocean came under threat from the German submarine fleet, as the Royal Canadian Navy battled an invisible foe, the U-boats. Anxious, many Canadians men and women enlisted in the Army, Navy or Air Force to take part in the great war that loomed ahead. Canadian industry revved up to produce war material and agriculture fed the troops.

At first, although many Canadian households wished to remain optimistic, uncertainty prevailed. The media announced defeat upon defeat: France has fallen, German submarines spotted in Canadian waters, Hong-Kong taken by the Japanese, Catastrophe at Dieppe…

Summoning all its strength, Canada entered in the order of battle for the decisive assault.