Canadian Forces in World War II

Réné Chratrand's book on the Canadian military during the last war packs a lot of information in a slender volume. It's a good 'bridge' book because it supplments Brian Jewell's companion volume on the British Battledress, on Mike Chappell's on the Canadian Army at war from the same series as well as adding another combattant nation to Osprey's reinvigorated, ever-burgeoning series on the Second World War.Chartrand briefly summarizes the country's political and military situation during the inter-war years. He even diplomatically discusses the events that lead to the 1944 conscription crisis.Nevertheless, the bulk of the book is on Canada's military contribution in all branches- not just the traditional services but even lesser known such as the Canadian navy's Ferry Command and the women's auxiliary services. Indeed, Chartrand reminds his readers that from the fall of France until America's entry into the war, Canada was the second largest power. Even after the latter's entry, Canada was still an important contributor both militarily and industrially despite having a population less than half of today's.Ron Volstad's colour plates are the among the best of his career as an illustrator. The degree of detail and realism is really exceptional and esthetically very pleasing. A real tour de forceNevertheless, I do have criticisms. I found the large table that covers every Canadian army unit of the war to be unnecessary. It takes up valuable space on subject matter on more interesting subject matter. Such questions as, how did the war radically change Canadian military training during and after the conflict? How did the war affect Canada's identity? How were the Francophones incorporated into the military? Were there any social tensions due to the language differences? What was the Canadian soldier, airman and sailor's reputation in the eyes of its allies and enemies? Chartrand missed an opportunity to delve into such interesting questions. Surely, if Canada was such a major contributor, why give the same mini-series treatment to country's military contributions that the German, Italian, American, British and Japanese armies have with the same imprint? In spite of some shortcomings, this book is outstanding and would make a welcome addition to any modelbuilder's, re-enactor's and militaria collector's library.Highly recommended.