Maple Leaf Against the Axis

A very readable and enjoyable book on Canada's participation in WW2. The author wastes no time about domestic and home front issues, believing rightly, these have been covered extensively elsewhere. In general the work is critical of the command structure and organization that sent Canadian forces to war. The Canadian Navy for the first half of the battle of the Atlantic was woefully unprepared to deal with U-Boats and convoy escourting. Short sightediness and desperation sent these ill-eqipped RCN vessels on patrol in the Atlantic, where they could barely defend the convoys entrusted to them. Over time the RCN gained expereince, training, and better gear, but it was a difficult process with the U-boats scoring hits in Canadian home waters right up to the end of the war. The RCAF enters the conflict only marginally better off than the RCN. Pilots are trained and many RCAF personel end up flying directly in the RAF, thereby depriving many nascent RCAF sqadrons of their expertise and numbers. Over time the Canadian squadrons become adept in their place within Bomber Command, and their contrinution to the Allied bombing effort while perhaps controversial, became no less significant. The chapters dealing with the Canadian army must wait until later in the book as these forces do not become engaged until late 1943. In general the author is highly critical of the sluggish command structure which tends to insist on set piece battles with little room for initative. In Italy the Canadian 5th armored division is prevented from exploiting what could have become a major breakthrough because of sluggish command control. Canadian higher command suffers from the British tendency of fighting in very set-piece fashion. This often prevents taking advantage of the very good fighting qualities of the Canadian infantry who create tactical opportunities that are often sqaundered by their commanders. In all a very readable work that is often highly critical of allied strategy and tactics. While seeing Canadian short-commings the author points out how faulty assumptions by US commanders before D-Day would see raw US infantry trying to over-come strong German beach defenses with little or no armor support. This would cost them dearly at Omaha. A different look indeed on how the US manages the war in a somewhat heavy-handed fashion. Montgomery's plodding advance before the Falise encirclement allows additional German forces to escape the pocket, and again prevents Canadian breakthrough opportunities. Seen in the context of the over all Allied effort Canada's contribution appears significant. The constant concern of Canadian politicians is that their forces maintain independence of command, and not simple incorporation as just another commonwealth element in the British war effort. For the most part Canada succeeds in these goals, and the nation fields over five large divisions to play its part in the European theater of operations. This boo

Bercuson draws a fine line between being overly patriotic about the actions of Canadian forces during the Second World War and giving a realistic and factual overview of the actions of the Army, Navy, Air Force and political forces behind them. Bercuson certainly has a way with words; as a former student of his to this I can attest. Although not a piece to be looked upon for research material in an upper level history course, it offers young history students and anyone interested in the topic a detailed, provocative perspective of the somewhat forgotten history of Canada during WW2.

As required reading for my Canadian Military History class and coming from a military family, I found this to be a very interesting book. It's a very good overview of the Canadian contribution during WWII. I could be somewhat biased though since Dr. Bercuson is my professor for the mentioned class, either way it is a good read

Canada's contribution to the Allied war effort in WWII is often overlooked, especially when considering army and air campaigns. Indeed, a good many Canadians served in the British military instead of the Canadian (especially the RAF), and they get lost in the shuffle. Contrasted against that, however, is the fact that the Canadian army had a D-Day beach to itself (Juno), and this army played a major role in the continental campaign that followed (just ask the Dutch and Belgians), not to mention the previous battles in Italy. This book helps to fill the gap in nicely, if in less detail than I would have liked. It is obvious that Bercusen has studied his material. The addition of some photos was a nice touch. Recommended for anyone with an interest in Canada's contribution in the "last great war." I look forward to reading his offering on Canada's effort in the Korean War (Blood on the Hills).

For anyone who ever wondered what role Canadians had in WW II, Maple Leaf against the Axis is a comprehensive and enjoyable read. Although Bercuson doesn't go into great detail describing key battles he gives you an overview of the Canadian contributions in WW II. He describes the mental and military conditions of the Canadian Army before and during the war. It is an easy and unbiased read; Bercuson is not shy to point out the inadequacies and problems with the Canadian army. In conclusion, Bercuson is able to describe what the allies truly accomplished..."the sheer determination of mortal men who pitted flesh against steel and concrete, and finally prevailed"