List of military equipment of the Canadian Army during the Second World War

At the beginning of the Second World War, Canada did not have an extensive manufacturing industry besides car manufacturing. Furthermore, it was only partially independent from the United Kingdom. Therefore, most of Canadian weapons and equipment during the war was imported from either Britain or the US.

Knives and bayonets

ModelFromBlade lengthComments
Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife194118 cmVarious models.
Ross bayonet1905?Stepped guard on early model, flat on later model. Sharpened later models were taken overseas in World War I.
P1907 bayonet1907?Used on No. 1 rifle (previously called SMLE)
No. 4 MK. II bayonet1941?Used on No. 4 MK. I, No. 4 MK. I* and Sten MK. V
M346?90mmStandard issue containing a 90mm sheeps foot blade, a 40mm stab/can opener blade, a 100mm fid/ marlin spike and a lanyard bale wire loop, based on the Case Model 6353/1905. Manufactured by Case in the USA for the Canadian Military until 1948 when production moved to Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada. Markings include "Case XX Metal Stampings" on the base of the sheeps foot blade and a C with a broad arrow inside stamped on the scales (case) normally near the rivet holding the blades.[1]
Standard issue knife for Canadian troops in WW2. Similar versions from different manufacturers were issued from WW1 through 1970s.

Small arms

Pistols (manual and semi-automatic)

TypeBase modelMakerRoundsCartridgeFrom:ProducedWeightComment
Colt Model 1911 & Model 1911A1Colt Model 1911various7.45 ACP (11.43×23mm)191427000001.1 kgsemi-automatic. Canada purchased some in World War I and more in World War II.
Smith & Wesson Triple Lock 2nd modelSmith & Wesson Triple LockSmith & Wesson6.44 Special (10.9×29mm)1917?1.08 kgrevolver, low-cost version
Pistol No. 1 MK. I & No 2 Mk 1Browning Hi-PowerJohn Inglis and Company139×19mm Parabellum1944?1.08 kgsemi-automatic, Belgian blueprints
S&W Victory Model (S&W Military&Police)Smith & Wesson Model 10Smith & Wesson6.38-200 (9.2×19.7mm)19425700000.91 kgrevolver
Webley .455 Mk VIWebley RevolverWebley & Scott6.455 Webley (11.5×19.6mm)1915?1.1 kgrevolver, obsolete, secondary sidearm
Enfield No. 2 Mk 1Enfield RevolverRoyal Small Arms Factory, Albion Motors, others6.38-200 (9.2×19.7mm)1932?0.765 kgrevolver, secondary sidearm
Colt Police PositiveColt New Police RevolverColt's Manufacturing Company6.38 S&W (9.2×19.7mm)1907?0.74 kgrevolver, secondary sidearm

Automatic pistols and submachine guns

TypeBase modelMakerRoundsCartridgeFrom:ProducedWeightComment
Thompson submachine gun 1928, 1928A1, M1 & M1A1Thompson submachine gunSavage Arms30.45 ACP (11.43×23mm)194215000004.9 kg
Sten Mk II - Mk VStenLong Branch Arsenal & British Factories329×19mm Parabellum194137000003.2 kglow-cost
M50 ReisingM50 ReisingH & R Firearms20.45 ACP (11.43×23mm)19411000003.1 kgbad reliability in field

Rifles

(see canadiansoldiers.com site for detailed data)

TypeBase modelMakerRoundsCartridgeFrom:ProducedWeightComment
No. 1 Mk. III & No. 1 MK. III*Lee–Enfieldvarious10.303 British Mk VII(7.9×56.4mm)?4 kg
Number 4 Mk.I, No.4 MK. I*Lee-Enfieldvarious10.303 British Mk VII(7.9×56.4mm)1943?4 kgmain Canadian rifle of World War II
Pattern 14EnfieldWinchester, Remington5.303 British Mk VII(7.9×56.4mm)191412352984.25 kgtraining only
M1917EnfieldSpringfield Armory, others6.30-06 Springfield (7.62×63mm)191721934294.17 kglimited use in Canadian homeland

Grenades and grenade launchers

This list is grossly incomplete, listing a small fraction of approximately 30 grenade varieties used by Canadians during World War II.

GrenadeLauncherIntroducedTypeWeight, gcomments
No. 36 M MK. Icup discharger for No. 1 rifle1915fragmentation765most common hand grenade during World War II
No 68 AT Grenade1940HEAT89452 mm RHA penetration
No. 69 grenadeNo1942high-explosive383bakelite case
No. 73 grenadeNo1940high-explosive200051mm RHA penetration, used mostly for demolition
No. 74 Sticky bombNo1940HESH~900low-cost
No. 75 AT Hawkins MineNo1942high-explosive1020most common Canadian AT weapon & demolition charge during World War II
No. 82 GammonNo1943universal1140soft body

Flamethrowers

Flamethrower, Portable, No 2 "Ack-Pack"

Machine guns

Infantry and dual-purpose machine guns

TypeProductionFire rate, RPMEffective rangeCartridgeFrom:ProducedWeightComment
Bren Gun (various marks)Inglis, Toronto510600.303 British (7.7×56mmR)193959900010.35 kgreplacement for Lewis gun
Lewis gun (standard model; U.S. version; Automatic Ship's Lewis Gun)550800.303 British (7.7×56mmR) or .30/061917?13 kgoccasional AA gun, limited production during World War II
Vickers machine gun (various marks and models)4752000.303 British (7.7×56mmR)1912?23 kgVickers Gas Operated was standard flexible MG on aircraft early in World War II.
M2HB Browning machine gun5501800.50 BMG (12.7×99mm)1921300000023 kgused until present (2014)
M1919A45001400.30/061919500000014 kgIn 1970s converted to 7.62 NATO

Vehicle and aircraft machine guns

Artillery

Infantry mortars

ModelCaliberMax. rangeFromProducedWeight, kgfire rate, RPMComment
2 inch Mortar (standard and airborne lightweight models)50.8mm4601937?4.88elevated by hand
M19 mortar60mm17901942?9.38received after M19 was rejected by US military
3 inch Mortar Mk. II81.2mm14631931?50.815crew of 3
M2 4.2 inch mortar106.7mm40231943?1515prepared for chemical bombs delivery, never used

Heavy mortars & rocket launchers

Land Mattress C-21 UCM -

Field artillery

ModelCaliberMax. rangeFromProducedWeight, kgfire rate, RPMComment
QF 18-pounder83.8mm596619041046912824obsolete at start of World War II
QF 25-pounder87.6mm1225319401300016337main Canadian World War II field gun/howitzer
BL 4.5 inch Medium Field Gun114mm180001938?61902.5built in UK by Canadian companies
BL 5.5 inch Medium Gun140mm165501941?59002received from UK
BL 60-pounder127mm155001905175644002in Canadian service until start of World War II

Anti-tank guns

ModelCaliberPenetration 1Penetration 2Muzzle speedMax. rangeFromProducedWeight, kgfire rate, RPMComment
QF 2-pdr40 mm37 mm @ 457 m27 mm @ 914 m792100019361200081422
QF 6-pdr57 mm88 mm @ 100 m-88416001941?1140?produced in both UK and Canada
QF 17-pdr76.2 mm130 mm @ 500 m119 mm @ 1000 m88018001942?3050?-

Anti-tank weapons (besides anti-tank guns)

Bangalore torpedo (not a grenade or anti-tank)

Anti-aircraft weapons

ModelCaliberEff. alt.FromProducedWeight, kgfire rate, RPMComment
QF 3.7-inch AA gun Mk194mm73001941?931715
Bofors 40 mm gun L/6040mm4100193222501981120still in service (2014)
Polsten-Oerlikon gun20mm10001944574000450low-cost

Vehicles

Canada have produced a wide variety of combat vehicles during World War II domestically, but all primary fighting vehicles there imported because of manufacturing quality concerns.

Tankettes

Carden Loyd Mk IV tankette - not used in combat

Tanks

ModelFromArmor max.
(mm)
Primary armamentSecondary armamentWeight
( t)
Power
(kW)
Range
(km)
#
Produced[note 1]
CrewComments
Stuart tank19415137mm Gun M3 L/243×.30-06 Browning M1919A4 MG14.7190119250004imported
Churchill tank Mk 11941102QF 2-pdr2 × 7.92 mm Besa machine gun38.52619073684given to Canada for Dieppe Raid
Churchill Oke1942102QF-2-pdr
Ronson flamethrower
2 × 7.92 mm Besa machine gun38.52619034all destroyed in Dieppe Raid
Centaur IV194476Ordnance QF 95 mm howitzer2×7.92mm Besa machine gun284502701145support tank
Sherman I, III, V19427675 mm Gun M2/M3/M61 × 12.7mm Browning M2HB and 2 × 7.8mm Browning M1919A430.3298193?5Lend-Lease
Sherman Firefly IC & VC194389QF 17-pdr12.7mm Browning M2HB and 7.8mm Browning M1919A4332981932,1504American chassis with British gun
Sherman V DD19427675 mm Gun M2/M3/M61×12.7mm Browning M2HB and 2×7.8mm Browning M1919A430.3298193?5M4 with flotation screen and propeller
Ram Badger flame tank194187QF 6-pdrWasp II flamethrower and 2×7.62mm machine guns29298232?5later versions had flamethrower replacing main gun
Sherman Badger flame tank19427675 mm Gun M2/M3/M6Wasp IIC flamethrower and 2×7.8mm Browning M1919A430.3298193?5replacement for Ram Badger flame tank
Grizzly I19437575 mm M3 L/40 gun2×.30-06 Browning M1919A4 MG29.912981931885Canadian-built modified M4 Sherman, chassis used for Sexton self-propelled gun
M10 tank destroyer19425776.2 mm Gun M71×12.7mm Browning M2HB29.627630067065tank destroyer
Achilles194457.2QF 17-pdr (76mm)1×12.7mm Browning M2HB29.62763001,1005tank destroyer M10 with British gun
Archer194360QF 17-pdr (76mm)1× .303 Bren LMG151452306554tank destroyer
Light Tank Mk VIA193614Vickers .50 machine gun (12.7mm)1× .303 Vickers machine gun4.93672101,6823not used in combat
Ram tank I and II194187QF 6-pdr3×7.62mm machine guns2929823220005In field conversions saw combat in Europe, based on M3 hull.
Valentine Mk.VI194165QF 2-pdr (40mm)1×.30-06 Browning M1919A4 MG16.510413014203Canadian-built, provided to USSR
Matilda II infantry tank193778QF 2-pdr (40mm)1×7.92 mm Besa machine gun257225729874not used in combat
M3 Lee/Grant19415175mm M2/M3 gun(2-4)×7.8mm Browning M1919A4273001936258?not used in combat

Self-propelled guns

Tank-based

NameChassisGunDevelopedManufacturedRole
SextonM3 LeeQF 25-pdr (87.6 mm) Mk II19422150self-propelled gun
M7 PriestM3 LeeM101 howitzer (105mm)19424443self-propelled gun
Crusader III, AA Mk.ICrusaderBofors 40 mm gun1944?self-propelled AA gun
Mk.II/IIICrusaderOerlikon 20mm gun1944?self-propelled AA gun
Skink anti-aircraft tankM4 ShermanPolsten (20mm)19443self-propelled AA gun

Other

M3 75mm Gun Motor Carriage - M3 Half-track equipped with the M1A1 75 mm gun

Armored cars

Model/TypeYears in UseManufacturerDetails
Daimler Dingo United Kingdom
Daimler Mk. I Armoured Car United Kingdom
Humber Mk. I Scout Car United Kingdom
Humber Mk. IV Armoured Car United Kingdom
M3 Scout Car United States
Morris Light Reconnaissance Car United Kingdom
Staghound Armoured Car United States
Fox Armoured Car CanadaHumber Armoured Car design modified for Canadian production
Otter Light Reconnaissance Car CanadaSimilar to Humber Light Reconnaissance Car
Lynx Scout Car CanadaSimilar to Dingo

Engineering and command

Model/TypeYears in UseManufacturerDetails
Ram ARV Mk I and II Canada
Valentine Bridgelayer United Kingdom
Sherman V ARV United States

Tractors & prime movers

Model/TypeYears in UseManufacturerDetails
Kangaroo (armoured personnel carrier) Canada
Loyd Carrier United Kingdom
Wasp United KingdomA Universal Carrier with flame-thrower equipment
T-16 Carrier United StatesLend-Lease based upon Universal Carrier, used to tow artillery
Windsor Carrier Canadavariation of Universal Carrier
M3A1 Half-trackVarious,  United States
M5 Half-trackInternational Harvester,  United Statessimilar to M3 produced for Lend-Lease
M9A1 Half-trackInternational Harvester,  United StatesVariant of M5
M14 Half-trackInternational Harvester,  United StatesM3 Half-track with anti-aircraft turret
M5 "Recce" United StatesA turretless M5 light tank used for reconnaissance

Miscellaneous vehicles

Chevrolet C8 4x2 CMP
Ford F60A 4x4 CMP
Model[2]BuilderCountryLoad / Comments
AEC MatadorAECUKField Artillery Tractor
Corbitt 6-ton 6x6VariousUS6-ton (5440kg)
Diamond T 4-ton 6x6Diamond TUS4-ton (3630kg)
Dodge D8A (T212)DodgeCanada8cwt (800lbs, 360kg)
Ford GP, GPA FordUS14-ton 4x4, GPA amphibian
Morris C8Morris-CommercialUKField Artillery Tractor
Willys MB/Ford GPW Willys/FordUS"Jeep" 14-ton 4x4
C/F-8, C/F-8A CMPChevrolet/FordCanada8cwt (800lbs, 360kg)
C/F-15, C/F-15A CMPChevrolet/FordCanada15cwt (34-ton, 630kg)
C/F-30, C/F-30A CMPChevrolet/FordCanada30cwt (1 12-ton, 1360kg)
C/F-60, C/F-60A CMPChevrolet/FordCanada60cwt (3-ton, 2720kg)
C-60X 6x6 CMPChevroletCanadathree driven axles
F-60H 6x4 CMPFordCanadathree axles, rear un-driven
C/F-GT CMPChevrolet/FordCanadaField Artillery Tractor

Aircraft

Although the Canadian government purchased and built thousands of military aircraft for use by the RCAF Home War Establishment (RCAF Eastern Air Command and RCAF Western Air Command) and the Canadian-based units of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, under the provisions of the plan Canada was to provide the training aircraft and facilities and a very large number of Canadian airmen would be committed to go overseas to fight in Article XV squadrons formed in the Great Britain and known as 400 series squadrons of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Forty-four of these squadrons were formed and most under this agreement were equipped by the British largely from their stocks and that is why many of the types of aircraft flown in combat in great numbers (such as the North American Mustang, Boulton Paul Defiant, Bristol Beaufighter, hundreds of Supermarine Spitfires of various marks, British built Avro Lancasters, Vickers Wellington, Hawker Typhoon, Short Sunderland, etc.) by most of the RCAF squadrons engaged in the fighting are missing from the following list altogether (or the quantities actually used by the RCAF overseas are not included in the numbers given below).

Fighters

NamePlace of
manufacture
Primary
role(s)
Service
period
#
Number used
Armstrong Whitworth SiskinUKfighter1926194012
Hawker HurricaneUK/Canadafighter19391948502
Grumman GoblinUS/Canadafighter1940194215
North American NA-44USfighter/utility194019441
Supermarine SpitfireUKfighter194019508
Curtiss KittyhawkUSfighter19411946134
Curtiss WarhawkUSfighter194219439
Hawker Sea HurricaneUKfighter194219431
Curtiss TomahawkUSfighter194319464
de Havilland MosquitoUK/Canadabomber/fighter-bomber19431951444
Gloster MeteorUKfighter194519554

Attack aircraft

NamePlace of
manufacture
Primary
role(s)
Service
period
#
used
Blackburn Shark Mk.II & IIIUKtorpedo bomber1936194426
Bristol BeaufortUKtorpedo bomber/strike/minelayer1941194415
Brewster BermudaUSdive bomber194319463
Fairey Swordfish Mk.II & IIIUKtorpedo bomber19431947105
Fairey AlbacoreUKtorpedo bomber194319496

Bombers

Name1968 CF
designator
Place of
manufacture
Primary
role(s)
Service
period
#
used
Lockheed Hudsonn/aUSbomber19391948247
Hawker Hartn/aUKbomber193719433
Douglas Digbyn/aUSbomber1939194620
Fairey Battlen/aUKbomber/trainer/target tug19391946740
Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroken/aCanadabomber/trainer19391947626
Handley Page Harrown/aUKbomber/transport194019412
Northrop Nomadn/aUSlight bomber1940194532
Avro Ansonn/aUK/Canadamedium bomber/trainer194019474413
Handley Page Hampdenn/aUKbomber1941194496
Bristol Blenheim Mk.IVn/aUKmedium bomber/gunnery trainer194119451
Douglas Bostonn/aUSbomber194119453
Avro Lancastern/aUK/Canadaheavy bomber19441965229
Martin Baltimoren/aUSbomber194219421
North American Mitchelln/aUSbomber19421963164
Boeing Fortress Mk.IIn/aUSlong-range patrol bomber194319466
Handley Page Halifaxn/aUKheavy bomber19441947

Reconnaissance aircraft

Name1968 CF
designator
Place of
manufacture
Primary
role(s)
Service
period
#
used
Canadian Vickers Vedetten/aCanadapatrol flying boat1925194144
Canadian Vickers Vancouvern/aCanadapatrol flying boat192919406
Armstrong Whitworth Atlasn/aUKspotting/liaison1927194216
Westland Wapitin/aUKspotting/liaison1930194425
Hawker Audaxn/aUKspotting/liaison193319436
Supermarine Stranraern/aCanadapatrol seaplane1938194640
Westland Lysandern/aUK/Canadaspotting/liaison/target tug19391946329
Consolidated Catalina/Canson/aUS/Canadamaritime patrol seaplane19411962254
Lockheed Venturan/aUSmaritime patrol/target tug1942194728
Supermarine Walrusn/aUKfleet spotter/utility amphibian194319478
Consolidated Liberatorn/aUSmaritime patrol1943194814

Trainers

Name1968 CF
designator
Place of
manufacture
Primary
role(s)
Service
period
#
used
De Havilland Mothn/aUKtrainer1928194889
Curtiss-Reid Ramblern/aCanadatrainer/utility192919549
Hawker Tomtitn/aUKtrainer193019432
Avro Tutor (Avro 621)n/aUKtrainer193119457
Fleet Fawnn/aCanadaelementary trainer1931194751
Avro Prefect (Avro 626)n/aUKtrainer1937194512
de Havilland DH.82C Tiger Mothn/aCanadatrainer193819481410
Airspeed Oxfordn/aUKtrainer (navigation, bombing & radio)19391947819
Fleet Finchn/aCanadaelementary trainer19391947431
North American Harvardn/aUS/Canadaadvanced trainer193919682156
North American NA-26n/aUStrainer194019421
de Havilland Menasco Mothn/aCanadatrainer19411947136
Cessna Cranen/aUStrainer19411949826
Fleet Fortn/aCanadaintermediate/radio trainer19411945101
Hawker Hindn/aUKinstructional airframe194219434
Stearman Kaydet (Model 75)n/aUSelementary trainer19421943301
General Aircraft Hotspur Mk.IIn/aUKtraining glider1942194522
Fairchild Cornelln/aUSelementary trainer194219481555

Transports

Name1968 CF
designator
Place of
manufacture
Primary
role(s)
Service
period
#
used
Consolidated Couriern/aUSutility192819413
Fairchild 71, 71B & 71Cn/aUS/Canadatransport1929194223
Bellanca CH-300 Pacemakern/aUStransport1929194413
Fairchild 51 & 51An/aUS/Canadatransport193019469
de Havilland Puss Mothn/aUKtransport1931194419
Fairchild Super 71n/aCanadatransport193619402
Northrop Deltan/aCanadatransport/patrol1936194520
Grumman Goosen/aUSutility amphibian1938195631
Barkley-Grow T8P-1n/aUStransport193919411
Lockheed Electran/aUStransport1939194615
Boeing 247Dn/aUStransport194019428
de Havilland Dragonflyn/aUKtransport194019456
Fairchild Argusn/aUSutility194019452
Lockheed Electra Juniorn/aUStransport1940194510
Lockheed Model 212n/aUStransport194019461
North American Yalen/aUSintermediate/radio trainer19401946119
Stinson Voyager (Model 105)n/aUSutility1940194625
Noorduyn Norsemann/aCanadautility transport19401957100
de Havilland Fox Mothn/aCanadatransport194119451
Beechcraft ExpeditorCT-128USutility/trainer19411972394
Waco AQC-6n/aUSutility194219421
Fleet Freightern/aCanadatransport194219442
Curtiss Seamewn/aUSutility floatplane1943194482
Lockheed Lodestarn/aUStransport1943194818
Douglas DakotaCC-129UStransport19431990169
Waco Hadrian Mk.IIn/aUStransport glider1944194932

Radars

  • Night Watchman (NW), 200-MHz, 1-kW prototype of SW radars (from 1940)
  • SW1C - surface-warning radar for merchant ships and frigates (from 1941)
  • SW2C - frequency changed to 215 MHz (1942)
  • SW3C - miniaturization to fit on torpedo boats, plan-position indicator (1943)
  • CD radar - coastal defense only (from 1942)
  • CDX radar - improvements and export to USSR (from 1943)
  • GL IIIC - mobile air search radar (from 1941)
  • Type 268 – 10 GHz submarine snorkel search radar (from 1944)
  • MEW/AS - 2.8 GHz, 300 kW submarine detection radar (from 1943)
  • MEW/HF - air search radar (from 1943)
  • 2 other unknown radar types used operationally
  • 18 radar types developed but never used

Cartridges and shells

Model/TypePeriod or Years in UseManufacturer/Origins
.303 British United Kingdom
.455 Webley United Kingdom

Uniforms, Load Bearing and Protective Equipment

Uniforms

Model/TypePeriod or years in useManufacturer/origins
Canadian Pattern and British Pattern
Khaki Drill
Battle Dress 1939-early 1970s United Kingdom
Denison smock Used by the Airborne United Kingdom

Load bearing equipment

Model/TypePeriod or Years in UseManufacturer/Origins
1937 Pattern Web Equipment United Kingdom
1942 Battle Jerkin United Kingdom

Head dress

Model/TypePeriod or Years in UseManufacturer/Origins
Glengarry United Kingdom
Tam o'shanter United Kingdom
Field Service Cap United Kingdom
Beret United Kingdom
Helmet, MK II United Kingdom
Mk III Turtle helmet United Kingdom

See also

  • List of infantry weapons of the Canadian military

References

  1. Total manufacturered, not number used by Canadian forces
  1. British and Commonwealth Military Knives ISBN 978-1574270921
  2. Ware, Pat (2014). The Illustrated Guide to Military Vehicles. Anness. ISBN 978-1-78214-192-1.
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