The Canadian First Army was the overall command for the Canadian military forces in Europe during World War II.

It was formed in early 1942 to command two corps composed of the three infantry divisions, two armoured divisions, and two armoured brigades that had assembled in England. At first under the command of General A.G.L. "Andy" McNaughton, in 1944 General H. D. G. "Harry" Crerar took charge.

Units of the army led the ill-fated Dieppe Raid and participated in the invasion of Sicily and mainland Italy, subordinated to the British Eighth Army.

The Army proper first went into action in the battle of Normandy, with the headquarter becoming operational on 23 July 1944. It effectively became an international force, commanding Polish, Dutch, Belgian, American, and British troops at various times.

After conducting attacks on Falaise and helping close the Falaise pocket, the First Army moved along the coast towards Belgium, with the Canadian 2nd Division entering Dieppe at the beginning of September. The critical Battle of the Scheldt in October and November opened Antwerp to Allied shipping.

The First Army held a static line along the Maas from December through February, then launched Operation Veritable in early February, cracking the Siegfried Line and reaching the banks of the Rhine in early March.

In the final weeks of the war in Europe, the First Army cleared the Netherlands of German forces.

External link

• Veterans Affairs Canada history