Canadian Military Headquarters (CMHQ) reports 1940 to 1948

Canadian Military Headquarters (CMHQ) reports chronicle Canadian action in the Second World War.

The Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force appointed historical officers to produce reports for future records. These would form the basis of future Canadian Military Official Histories (for example: Canadian Army Official History).

The Canadian Military Headquarters (CMHQ) reports are the most formal and comprehensive collection of reports. They were researched and written by Canadian military historical officers at the CMHQ in London, England (1940 to 1948).

Major (later Colonel) C.P. Stacey became Historical Officer, General Staff, at the Canadian Military Headquarters (CMHQ), on October 11, 1940. Lieutenant-General H.D.G. Crerar, Chief of the General Staff, recommended Stacey's appointment. Stacey's task was “the collection and preparation of material for future use of the official historian and the placing on the record of historical material not otherwise recorded or available. ^{Footnote 1}

The CMHQ reports below have been declassified and are being placed online over time. You can view hard copies at the DHH military history archive research room. Historical documents in their own right, these reports are available only in English.

When referencing the online versions of these texts, use paragraph numbers rather than page numbers, and indicate that the electronic version was used. These are all preliminary narratives and should not be regarded as authoritative. They have not been checked for accuracy in all aspects, and their interpretations are not necessarily those of the Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH)

Title	Date	Report #
Trans-Atlantic Voyage. Conditions in London.	31 Dec 1940	1
Work of the Public Relations Officer, CMHQ.	7 Jan 1941	2
Further on Public Relations; Interview with Mr. James Spence, etc.	10 Jan 1941	3
Visit to Borden Camp; Br. Page's reminiscences of Iceland, etc. The War and the English Countryside.	10 Jan 1941	4
Canadian Military Headquarters, London: Description	17 Jan 1941	5
The Records Branch, CMHQ.	20 Jan 1941	6
Visit to Welwyn. Sketch of Canadian Medical Establishments in the U.K. Further on the wartime aspect of the English Countryside.	22 Jan 1941	7
Conditions in London.	24 Jan 1941	8
Canadian Auxiliary Services in the United Kingdom.	31 Jan 1941	9
Visit to Headquarters Canadian Corps; interview with Lieut-Gen McNaughton. Present state of the Corps, and plans for its development.	18 Feb 1941	10
Canadian Corps Exercise "FOX"; Redhill by-pass.	22 Feb 1941	11
Visit to 2nd Divisional Signals, Aldershot.	24 Feb 1941	12
Canadian Corps Exercise "DOG".	8 Mar 1941	13
Visit to Canadian Junior War Staff Course.	10 Mar 1941	14
Activities of Canadian Forces in the U.K. 1939-40.	13 Mar 1941	15
Canadian Section, G.H.Q., 2nd Echelon.	17 Mar 1941	16
Renewal of Enemy air activity over Britain. The Present Phase of the War.	18 Mar 1941	17
Visit to Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Units, Colchester.	22 Mar 1941	18
Royal Inspection of 2nd Canadian Division, 27 Mar 41.	3 Apr 1941	19
Cinema Films Taken at Canadian Corps HQ; Newsreel Films of Canadian Activity	4 Apr 1941	20
Closing Exercises, Second Course, Canadian O.C.T.U.; Training of Junior Officers.	24 Apr 1941	21
Closing Exercises, Canadian Junior War Staff Course.	24 Apr 1941	22
Canadian Corps Exercise "HARE".	26 Apr 1941	23
Recent Enemy Air Raids on London.	30 Apr 1941	24
Canadian Casualties in Recent London Raids.	5 May 1941	25
Representation of the War in Art in the UK.	8 May 1941	26
Present Phase of the War. Recent Enemy Air Raids on Britain.	23 May 1941	27
The Loss of the S.S. “Nerissa”.	31 May 1941	28
Visit to Units of the Canadian Forestry Corps, Scotland. Notes on the History and Work of this Corps	31 May 1941	29
Canadian Tunnelling Detachment at Loch Laggan.	4 Jun 1941	30
No. 1 Canadian Convalescent Depot, Brixham, Devon	7 Jun 1941	31
Canadian Base Depot - Activities of Personnel of this Depot During Merseyside Air Raids.	13 Jun 1941	32
Situation of the Canadian Forces in the United Kingdom, Summer of 1941: I - Position and Role of the Canadian Forces.	23 Jun 1941	33
South-Eastern Command Exercise "WATERLOO".	21 Jun 1941	34
Co-operation of Canadian Base Depot with Home Guard Units.	21 Jul 1941	35
Situation of the Canadian Forces in the United Kingdom, Summer, 1941. Part II: Recent Changes in Commands and Staffs.	7 Jul 1941	36
Presentation of Colours by HM The King to Carleton and York Regiment and Edmonton Regiment, Dominion Day, 1941.	15 Jul 1941	37
Situation of the Canadian Forces in the United Kingdom, Summer, 1941. Part III: The Problem of Accommodation.	28 Jul 1941	38
Mock Attack in City of London, 27 Jul 1941.	30 Jul 1941	39
55th Division Exercise "ALBERT" (Divisional phase): 31 Jul - 2 Aug 41.	7 Aug 1941	40
Movement of Second Canadian Division to South Coast.	9 Aug 1941	41
Visit to Canadian Army Tank Brigade.	13 Aug 1941	42
Arrival of Main Body of Third Canadian Division in the United Kingdom, Jul 1941.	15 Aug 1941	43
Demonstration of "Offensive Demolitions" by 5 Corps, 18 Aug 41.	20 Aug 1941	44
Situation of the Canadian Forces in the United Kingdom, Summer, 1941. Part IV: Growth of Canadian Military Force in the United Kingdom. Progress of Canadian Overseas Army Programme, 1941. Notes on Sea Transport.	2 Sep 1941	45
Situation of the Canadian Forces in the United Kingdom, Summer, 1941. Part V: The Problem of Equipment.	19 Sep 1941	46
Visits of Rt. Hon. W.L. Mackenzie King to Canadian Troops in England.	23 Sep 1941	47
Royal Inspection of Third Canadian Division, 18 Sep 41.	23 Sep 1941	48
Home Forces Exercise "BUMPER" (Army Manoeuvres), 29 Sep - 3 Oct 41.	27 Oct 1941	49
Presentation of Colours by Her Majesty The Queen to Saskatoon Light Infantry (M.G.), 24 Oct 41.	31 Oct 1941	50
Censorship of Mail, Canadian Army Overseas. Field Censors' Notes as Material for History.	31 Oct 1941	51
Visit of Minister of National Defence and Chief of the General Staff to the Canadian Army Overseas, Oct 41.	12 Nov 1941	52
The Educational Programme of the Canadian Army Overseas, 1940-41.	30 Nov 1941	53
Arrival of Fifth Canadian (Armoured) Division in the United Kingdom, Oct-Nov 41.	30 Nov 1941	54
Situation of the Canadian Forces in the United Kingdom, Winter, 1941. Part I: Recent Changes in Commands and Staff.	9 Dec 1941	55
The Spitzbergen OPERATION, August-September 1941 (Special Expedition 111; Exercise "HEATHER"; OPERATION "GAUNTLET").	20 Dec 1941	56
Canadian Anti-Aircraft Units Deployed in Air Defence of Great Britain.	30 Dec 1941	57
Situation of the Canadian Forces in the United Kingdom, Winter, 1941-42. Part II: Position and Role of Canadian Forces.	19 Jan 1942	58
Situation of the Canadian Forces in the United Kingdom, Winter, 1941-42. Part III: Growth of Canadian Military Force in the United Kingdom, September 1941 - January 1942.	29 Jan 1942	59
Canadian Corps Study Week, 19-23 Jan 1942. Corps Training Programme, Winter, 1941-42.	29 Jan 1942	60
Correspondence of General McNaughton with British Officers, etc., 1940-1941.	13 Feb 1942	61
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces in the United Kingdom, Winter, 1941-42. Part IV: Progress in Equipment.	22 Feb 1942	62
Passing-out ceremony, eighth course, Canadian Officer Cadet Training Unit, 7 Mar 42. Transfer of Canadian O.C.T.U. to Canada.	18 Mar 1942	63
War Artists Programme, Canadian Army Overseas.	18 Mar 1942	64
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces in the United Kingdom, Spring, 1942. Part I: Recent Changes in Commands and Staffs.	31 Mar 1942	65
Further Material on Educational Programme of the Canadian Army Overseas.	10 Apr 1942	66
Plans for British Official Histories of the Present War.	17 Apr 1942	67
Visit of Their Majesties The King and Queen to Fifth Canadian (Armoured) Division, 24 Apr 42. Progress of Canadian Armoured Formations.	29 Apr 1942	68
Formation of Headquarters, First Canadian Army (6 Apr 42).	18 May 1942	69
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces in the United Kingdom, Spring, 1942. Part II: Training Programme of 1st Canadian Corps. Exercises "BEAVER III", 22-24 Apr 42, and "BEAVER IV", 10-13 May 42.	18 May 1942	70
Taking of Conscription Plebiscite for Canadian Forces Overseas	18 May 1942	71
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces in the United Kingdom, Spring, 1942. Part III: Position and Roles of Canadian Forces.	3 Jun 1942	72
South Eastern Command Exercise "TIGER", 19-30 May 42.	24 Jun 1942	73
Further material on the Spitzbergen OPERATION Aug-Sep 1941.	24 Jun 1942	74
Material on General Activities of Canadian Army Overseas, 1941-1942.	30 Jun 1942	75
Further material on British Plans for Preparation of Official Histories. Present state of Canadian Army Historical Activities Overseas.	2 Jul 1942	76
Canadian Confederation Anniversary Service, Westminster Abbey, Dominion Day, 1942.	6 Jul 1942	77
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces in the United Kingdom, Summer, 1942. Part I: Recent Changes in Commands and Staffs.	31 Jul 1942	78
Courses for Canadian Service Personnel at Oxford and London Universities.	12 Aug 1942	79
Work of Canadian Tunnelling Units at Gibraltar, 1940-1942.	17 Aug 1942	80
Canadian Participation in OPERATION "ABERCROMBIE", 22 Apr 42.	26 Aug 1942	81
Further Material on Work of War Artists, Canadian Army Overseas.	19 Sep 1942	82
Preliminary Report on OPERATION "JUBILEE" (The Raid on Dieppe) 19 Aug 42.	19 Sep 1942	83
Project for Preliminary Historical Narrative, Canadian Army Overseas, 1939-40.	14 Oct 1942	84
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces in the United Kingdom, Autumn, 1942. Part I: Growth of the Force in the United Kingdom, January-September, 1942.	30 Oct 1942	85
Further Material Relative to Canadian Participation in OPERATION "ABERCROMBIE" 22 Apr 42, and to Projects for Cross-Channel Raiding by Canadian Troops, Sep 1941 - Apr 1942.	21 Nov 1942	86
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces in the United Kingdom, Autumn, 1942. Part II: Recent Changes in Commands and Staffs.	21 Nov 1942	87
Third Anniversary of Landing of First Flight of 1st Canadian Division.	28 Dec 1942	88
The OPERATION at Dieppe, 19 Aug 42: Personal Stories of Participants.	31 Dec 1942	89
The OPERATION at Dieppe, 19 Aug 42: Further Personal Stories of Participants.	18 Feb 1943	90
Press Conference Concerning Organization of First Cdn Army and Arrangements for Press Representatives, 25 Feb 43.	16 Mar 1943	91
General Activities, Canadian Army Overseas, Jun 1942 - Apr 1943.	27 Apr 1943	92
Combined Operations Training, 1st Canadian Corps.	29 Apr 1943	93
G.H.Q. Exercise "SPARTAN", March 1943.	12 May 1943	94
Attachment of Canadian Officers and Soldiers to First British Army in Tunisia, 1942-1943	12 May 1943	95
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces in the United Kingdom, Spring, 1943. Part I: Recent Changes in Commands and Staffs.	20 May 1943	96
The Canadian Forestry Corps, 1941-1943.	1 Jun 1943	97
Article Dealing with the OPERATION at Dieppe, 19 Aug 42.	15 Jul 1943	98
Progress of War Artist Programme, Canadian Army Overseas.	15 Jul 1943	99
OPERATION "JUBILEE": The Raid on Dieppe, 19 Aug 42. Part I: The Preliminaries of the OPERATION.	16 Jul 1943	100
OPERATION "JUBILEE": The Raid on Dieppe, 19 Aug 42. Part II: The Execution of the OPERATION. Section 1: General Outline and Flank Attacks.	11 Aug 1943	101
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces Overseas, Summer, 1943. Part I: Recent Changes in Commands and Staffs.	3 Sep 1943	102
Canadian Operations in Sicily, July-August 1943: Preliminary Report.	8 Oct 1943	103
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces Overseas, Autumn, 1943. Part I: Position and Roles of Canadian Forces in the United Kingdom.	13 Oct 1943	104
The Work of the Canadian Tunnelling Units at Gibraltar, 1942-43.	26 Oct 1943	105
Enemy Air Action and the Canadian Army in the United Kingdom, 1939-43.	29 Nov 1943	106
The OPERATION at DIEPPE, 19 Aug 42: Further Personal Stories of Participants.	29 Nov 1943	107
OPERATION “JUBILEE”: The Raid on Dieppe, 19 Aug 42. Part II: The Execution of the Operation. Section 2: The Attack on the Main Beaches.	17 Dec 1943	108
OPERATION “JUBILEE”: The Raid on Dieppe, 19 Aug 42. Part III: Some Special Aspects.	17 Dec 1943	109
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces Overseas, Autumn, 1943. Part II: Growth of the Canadian Army Overseas, October 1942 – October 1943.	20 Dec 1943	110
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces Overseas, Autumn, 1943. Part III: Recent Changes in Commands and Staffs.	31 Dec 1943	111
Policy with Respect to Honours and Awards, Canadian Army Overseas, 1939-44.	25 Jan 1944	112
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces Overseas, Winter, 1943-4. Part I: Progress in Equipment (Feb 1942 - Dec 1943).	26 Jan 1944	113
War Artists’ Activities, Mediterranean Area.	6 Mar 1944	114
Contributions of Canadian Tunneling Companies to the War Effort in the British Isles, 1942-43.	5 May 1944	115
OPERATION “JUBILEE”: The Raid on Dieppe, 19 Aug 42. Additional Information from German Sources.	10 May 1944	116
The Canadian Forestry Corps, 1943-1944.	25 May 1944	117
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces Overseas, Spring, 1944. Recent Changes in Commands and Staffs.	13 Jun 1944	118
Canadian Relations with the People of the United Kingdom, and General Problems of Morale, 1939-44.	30 Jun 1944	119
The Canadian Women’s Army Corps Overseas. September 1939 – June 1944.	31 Jul 1944	120
Canadian Operations in the LIRI Valley (Italy), May – June 1944.	8 Aug 1944	121
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces Overseas, Spring, 1944. Growth of the Canadian Army Overseas, October 1943 – May 1944.	29 Aug 1944	122
Battle Drill Training.	31 Aug 1944	123
Return and Leave to Canada for Personnel of the Canadian Army Overseas.	12 Oct 1944	124
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces Overseas, Summer, 1944. Recent Changes in Commands and Staffs.	25 Oct 1944	125
Canadian Operations in Sicily, July – August 1943. Part I: The Preliminaries of OPERATION “HUSKY” (The Assault on Sicily).	16 Nov 1944	126
Canadian Operations in Sicily, July – August 1943. Part II: The Execution of the Operation by 1 Cdn Inf Div. Section 1: The Assault and Initial Penetration Inland.	16 Nov 1944	127
The OPERATION at DIEPPE, 19 Aug 42. Some New Information.	20 Nov 1944	128
Canadian Operations in Italy. September – December 1943: Preliminary Report.	25 Nov 1944	129
The OPERATION at DIEPPE, 19 Aug 42: Pictorial and Cartographical Material.	27 Nov 1944	130
OPERATION “OVERLORD” and its Sequel: Canadian Participation in the Operations in North-West Europe, 6 Jun – 31 Jul 44 (Preliminary Report).	12 Feb 1945	131
Canadian Operations in Sicily, July – August 1943. Part III: The Story of 1 Cdn Army Tk Bde.	27 Feb 1945	132
Organization of the Canadian Reinforcement Units (United Kingdom): Historical Outline, 1940 - 45.	29 Mar 1945	133
Historical Sketch, Rates of Wastage of Personnel, Canadian Army Overseas, 1939-45.	5 Apr 1945	134
Canadian Operations in Sicily, July – August 1943. Part II: The Execution of the Operation by 1 Cdn Inf Div. Section 2: The Pursuit of the Germans from VIZZINI to ADERNO 15 Jul – 6 Aug.	4 May 1945	135
Canadian Operations in Sicily, July – August 1943. Part II: The Execution of the Operation by 1 Cdn Inf Div. Section 3: Special Aspects of the Sicilian Campaign.	4 May 1945	136
Enemy Air Attacks and the Canadian Army in the United Kingdom, 1943-45: The V-Weapons.	29 May 1945	137
The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion; Organization and Training, July 1942-June 1944.	7 Jul 1945	138
The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion in France (6 June – 6 September 1944)	7 Jul 1945	139
Canadian Participation in Civil Affairs - Military Government. Part I: Background and Beginnings.	10 Jul 1945	140
Situation of the Canadian Military Forces Overseas. Progress in Equipment (January – December 1944).	18 Jul 1945	141
OPERATION “JUBILEE”: The Raid on Dieppe, 19 Aug 42. Further New Information.	18 Jul 1945	142
Canadian Operations in Italy. 4 Jun 44 – 23 Feb 45.	4 Aug 1945	143
Canadian Operations in Italy. September 1943.	8 Sep 1945	144
The “CANLOAN” Scheme, 1943 to July 1945	27 Sep 1945	145
Operations of First Canadian Army in North-West Europe, 31 Jul – 1 Oct 44 (Preliminary Report).	10 Oct 1945	146
Canadian Participation in the Operations in North-West Europe, 1944. Part I: The Assault and Subsequent Operations of 3 Cdn Inf Div and 2 Cdn Armd Bde, 6-30 Jun 44.	3 Dec 1945	147
Canadian Participation in Civil Affairs - Military Government. Part II: Planning and Training, 31 Jan 44 – 30 Jul 44.	11 Jan 1946	148
Canadian Participation in Civil Affairs - Military Government. Part III: France, General Historical Survey, July-October 1944.	18 Jan 1946	149
The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada in OPERATION "SPRING", 25 Jul 44.	12 Feb 1946	150
The Canadian Forestry Corps 1944-45.	18 Mar 1946	151
The Concluding Phase: The Advance into North-West Germany and the Final Liberation of the Netherlands 23 Mar - 5 May 45.	21 Mar 1946	152
Operation "JUBILEE": The Raid on Dieppe , 19 Aug 42. New Light on Early Planning	22 Mar 1946	153
Clearing the Scheldt Estuary and Opening the Port of Antwerp: Operations of 1st Canadian Army in North-West Europe, 1 Oct - 8 Nov 44 (Preliminary Report).	5 May 1946	154
OPERATION "VERITABLE": The Winter Offensive Between the Maas and the Rhine, 8-25 Feb 45 (Preliminary Report).	16 May 1946	155
Selection and Training of Officers for the Canadian Army Overseas - 1940-1945.	31 Jul 1946	156
Visit of the Prime Minister of Canada to Battlefields in France, August 1946. Notes on topography, etc.	29 Aug 1946	157
Operations of the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade in Italy, May 1944 to February 1945. Part I: The Gustav and Hitler Lines.	27 Sep 1946	158
OPERATION "JUBILEE": The Raid on Dieppe 19 Aug 42. Additional Information on Planning.	5 Oct 1946	159
Operations of the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade in Italy, May 1944 to February 1945. Part II: The Advance to Florence, 3 Jun - 1 Sep 44.	9 Oct 1946	160
Canadian Operations in Italy, October - November, 1943.	16 Oct 1946	161
Canadian Participation in the Operations in North-West Europe, 1944. Part II: Canadian Operations in July.	8 Nov 1946	162
Canadian Participation in the Defence of Hong Kong, Dec 1941.	14 Nov 1946	163
The Problem of Selection and Reallocation of Personnel in the Canadian Army Overseas, 1939-1946.	19 Nov 1946	164
Operations of 1 Cdn Inf Div and 1 Cdn Armd Bde in Italy, 25 Nov 43 - 4 Jan 44.	27 Nov 1946	165
Administrative Aspects of the Operations of 1 Cdn Inf Div in Italy, Dec 1943.	29 Nov 1946	166
The Participation of First Cdn Army in Strategical Planning in 1942.	3 Dec 1946	167
The Organization of First Canadian Army.	12 Dec 1946	168
Canadian Participation in the Operations in North-West Europe, 1944. Part III: Canadian Operations, 1-23 August.	14 Jan 1947	169
OPERATION "TIMBERWOLF": The Movement of 1 Cdn Corps to the Mediterranean, 1943.	10 Feb 1947	170
OPERATION "BLOCKBUSTER": The Canadian Offensive West of the Rhine, 26 Feb - 23 Mar 1945 (Preliminary Report).	5 Mar 1947	171
Canadian Participation in Civil Affairs - Military Government. Part IV: Belgium and the Netherlands, General History Survey.	11 Mar 1947	172
The Watch on the Maas 9 Nov 44 - 8 Feb 45.	25 Mar 1947	173
The Canadian Army Occupation Force in Germany, May 1945 to June 1946.	25 Mar 1947	174
Operations of the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade in Italy, May 1944 to Feb 1945. Part III: The Gothic Line.	26 Mar 1947	175
Canadian Participation in Civil Affairs - Military Government. Part V: Germany, General Historical Survey.	19 Jun 1947	176
The Repatriation of the Canadian Military Forces Overseas, 1945-1947.	4 Jul 1947	177
Canadian Operations in Italy, 5 Jan - 21 Apr 44.	22 Jul 1947	178
Canadian Operations in the Liri Valley, May-Jun 44.	25 Jul 1947	179
The Visiting Forces Act 1941-44.	29 Jul 1947	180
OPERATION "GOLDFLAKE", the Move of 1 Cdn Corps from Italy to North-West Europe, Feb-Mar 1945.	7 Aug 1947	181
The Strategical Role of First Canadian Army, 1942-1944.	22 Aug 1947	182
Canadian Participation in the Operations in North-West Europe, 1944. Part IV: First Canadian Army in the Pursuit 23 Aug - 30 Sep.	22 Sep 1947	183
Canadian Participation in the Operations in North-West Europe, 1944. Part V: Clearing the Channel Ports, 3 Sep 44 - 6 Feb 45.	24 Sep 1947	184
OPERATION "VERITABLE": The Winter Offensive between the Maas and the Rhine, 8-25 Feb 45.	24 Sep 1947	185
OPERATION "BLOCKBUSTER": the Canadian Offensive West of the Rhine 26 Feb - 23 Mar 45.	25 Sep 1947	186
Operations of 1 Cdn Corps, 4 Jun 44 to 24 Sep 44: the Breaking of the Gothic Line and the Capture of Rimini.	26 Sep 1947	187
Canadian Participation in the Operations in North-West Europe, 1944. Part VI: Canadian Operation, 1 Oct - 8 Nov. The Clearing of the Scheldt Estuary.	7 Apr 1948	188