Guide to Sources for Research into Military History

Canadian Military History: General

The Armed Forces of Canada, 1867-1967: A Century of Achievement – Les Forces armées du Canada, 1867-1967 : un siècle de grandes réalisations : D.J. Goodspeed (Queen’s Printer, Imprimeur de la Reine, 1967)

Compiled on the occasion of Canada's Centennial, and against the backdrop of the impending unification of the Canadian Armed Forces, this volume considers, for the first time, the history of all three services as an organic unity. The text, together with the nearly 250 photographs and illustrations, describes the origins and development of the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force, and relates the distinguished part that Canadian servicemen have played in the history of Canada, both in peace and war.

Publié à l'occasion du centenaire du Canada et dans le contexte de l’unification imminente des Forces armées canadiennes, ce volume considère, pour la première fois, l’histoire des trois services comme une unité organique. Le texte, ainsi que les quelques 250 photographies et illustrations, décrit les origines et le développement de l'Armée canadienne, de la Marine royale canadienne et de l'Aviation royale canadienne, et raconte le rôle distingué que les militaires canadiens ont joué dans l'histoire du Canada, en paix et en guerre.

The Canadian Government's publication data is available in English et également en français.

Canada and the Battle of the Atlantic – Le Canada et la Bataille de l'Atlantique : Roger Sarty (Art Global, 1998)

A Commemorative History celebrating the 55th Anniversary of Canada's contribution in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Histoire commémorative à l'occasion du 55e anniversaire de la participation du Canada à la Bataille de l'Atlantique.

The Canadian Government's publication data is available in English et également en français.

Normandy 1944: The Canadian Summer – Normandie 1944 : l’été canadien : Bill McAndrew, Don Graves and Michael Whitby (Art Global, 1994)

Commemorative Edition celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy.

Édition commémorative du 60e anniversaire du débarquement Jour-J en Normandie.

Liberation: The Canadians in Europe – La Libération : les Canadiens en Europe : Bill McAndrew, Bill Rawling and Michael Whitby (Art Global, 1995)

Commemorative Edition celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Édition commémorative du 60e anniversaire de la libération des Pays-Bas et de la fin de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale en Europe.

The Canadian Government's publication data is available in English et également en français.

Canada and the Korean War – Le Canada et la Guerre de Corée : Stephen J. Harris (project director) (Art Global, 2002)

A Commemorative History celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, Canada and the Korean War recounts Canada's contribution to the “Forgotten War” relating the history of the three services – the Army, Navy and Air Force – in words and images (extensive maps, photographs and War art), and reconstituting the political and diplomatic context of the time.

Histoire commémorative à l'occasion du 50e anniversaire de la participation du Canada à la Guerre de Corée, cet ouvrage retrace la contribution du Canada à cette « guerre oubliée » en racontant l'histoire des trois armes, l'armée de terre, l'aviation et la marine, en mots et en images (de nombreuses cartes, photos et peintures), et en restituant le contexte politique et diplomatique de l'époque.

The Canadian Government's publication data is available in English et également en français.

A History of Women in the Canadian Military – Les femmes dans le patrimoine militaire canadien : Barbara Dundas (Art Global, 2001)

This book traces the rich history that has emerged from the original dispatch of nurses westward to care for the sick and wounded during the North West Rebellion through to the present day where women play a full and equal role in the defence of Canada. This work includes a 16-page colour section of war paintings by women artists, including a recent interview with Molly Lamb Bobak, the first female war artist.

Ce livre retrace une histoire remarquable, depuis le premier contingent d'infirmières qui accompagna l'expédition du Nord-Ouest en 1885, jusqu'à la pleine intégration des femmes dans les Forces actuelles. L'ouvrage contient une section en couleur de 16 pages sur les peintres de guerre féminines, incluant une entrevue avec la première, Molly Lamb Bobak.

The Canadian Government's publication data is available in English et également en français.

Canadian Military Heritage, Volume III: 1872-2000 – Le patrimoine militaire canadien d'hier à aujourd'hui, Tome III, 1872-2000 : Serge Bernier (Art Global, 2000)

From the North-West Campaign of the late 19th century to the U.N. missions of the late 20th century, from the heights of glory to the depths of indifference on the part of politicians and the public, through two world wars and unification of the Forces, this third and final volume of Canadian Military Heritage covers more than a century of armed services history.

De la rébellion métis aux missions de l'ONU, des moments glorieux au désintérêt total des politiciens et de la population pour l'institution militaire, en passant par deux conflits mondiaux et la restructuration des forces armées, c'est plus d'un siècle d'histoire militaire qui est évoqué dans ce troisième et dernier tome de Patrimoine militaire canadien.

The Canadian Government's publication data is available in English et également en français.

Canada's RMC: A History of the Royal Military College : Richard Arthur Preston (University of Toronto Press, 1969)

From the preface: "The Royal Military College of Canada was from its inception distinctive among military colleges and academies for two reasons: it was the first to be established in a colonial dependency and it had a double function, the preparation of cadets for civilian careers as well as for militar commissions.  The dual role did not lead, as sceptics might suspect, to failure to achieve success in either objective.  On the contrary, RMC maintained a standard of excellence on both sides that has not been surpassed elsewhere."

Our Bravest and Our Best: The Stories of Canada's Victoria Cross Winners : Arthur Bishop (McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd, 1995)

From the dust jacket: "Between 1854 and 1945 more Canadians per capita were awarded the Victoria Cross than members of any other Commonwealth country.  In all, ninety-five Canadians won the British Commonwealth's highest honour for valour in combat.  Our Bravest and Our Best presents the memorable and inspiring stories of these men who were willing to lay down their lives for our freedom.  Their courageous actions set them apart as the 'bravest and best' examples of Canadian heroism."

The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force: Canadian Airmen and the First World War : Sydney F. Wise (University of Toronto Press, 1980)

From the dust jacket: "The first of four projected volumes of the Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force, this book provides the definitive story of Canadian airmen in World War I and, moreover, a revisionist account of the war in the air. [...] Illustrated with specially prepared colour and sketch maps and over 200 photographs, many of them published here for the first time, this book should prove invaluable to the military historian and of wide appeal to the aviation enthusiast and general reader alike."

Clio's warriors : Canadian historians and the writing of the world wars : Tim Cook (Vancouver : UBC Press, 2006) (Studies in Canadian military history; no. 10.)

One of Canada's leading military historians examines the subject of historical memory and writing, the creation of archives, and the war of reputations that followed each of the world wars. While not an “official history” in itself, and being largely “army” in focus, there are significant entries on each of the Navy and Air Force. Writing the World Wars -- 1 Documenting War and Forging Reputations, 1914-18 -- 2 The War of Reputations, 1918-39 -- 3 Clio in the Service of Mars, 1939-45 -- 4 History Wars and War History, 1945-48 -- 5 Official History, Contested Memory, 1948-60 -- 6 Forging the Canon of Canadian World War History, 1960-2000 -- Conclusion: An Ongoing Dialogue -- Notes -- Select Bibliography of Official and Semi-Official Canadian Histories.