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List of military equipment of the Canadian Army in World War II

At the beginning of the Second World War, Canada did not have an extensive manufacturing industry besides car manufacturing. Therefore, most of Canadian weapons and equipment during the war were imported from either Britain or the US.

Flag of Canada used during WWII

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

ModelOriginAcquiredTypeCartridgeVariantsNotes
Colt Model 1911  United States1914Semi-automatic.45 ACP
  • Model 1911
  • Model 1911A1
Canada purchased some in World War I and more in World War II.
Smith & Wesson Triple Lock  United States1917Revolver.44 Special
  • 2nd Model
Low-cost version
Browning Hi-Power  Belgium1944Semi-automatic9×19mm Parabellum
  • Pistol No.1 Mk.1
  • Pistol No.2 Mk.1
Produced under license in Canada by John Inglis & Company
Smith & Wesson Model 10  United States1942Revolver.38-200
  • S&W Victory Model
Webley Revolver  United Kingdom1915Revolver.455 Webley
  • Webley .455 Mk.VI
Obsolete, secondary sidearm
Enfield No. 2  United Kingdom1932Revolver.38-200
  • Mk.1
Secondary sidearm
Colt Police Positive  United States1907Revolver.38 S&WSecondary sidearm

Submachine guns

ModelOriginAcquiredActionCartridgeVariantsNotes
Thompson  United States1942Blowback, "Blish Lock".45 ACP
  • Model 1928
  • Model 1928A1
  • M1
  • M1A1
Sten  United Kingdom  Canada1941Blowback, Open bolt9×19mm Parabellum
  • Mk. II
  • Mk. III
  • Mk. V
M50 Reising  United States1941Blowback, Closed bolt.45 ACP
  • M50
Extremely limited use, primarily by the Veterans Guard of Canada for guard duties.

Rifles

ModelOriginAcquiredActionCartridgeVariantsNotes
Lee–Enfield No.1  United Kingdom1916Bolt-action.303 British Mk.VII
  • Mk.III
  • Mk.III*
Lee–Enfield No.4  United Kingdom1943Bolt-action.303 British Mk.VII
  • Mk.I
  • Mk.6*
Primary service rifle.
Pattern 1914 Enfield  United Kingdom1914Bolt-action.303 British Mk.VIIFor training and use by snipers.[2]
M1917 Enfield  United States1917Bolt-action.30-06 SpringfieldLimited domestic use.
Ross  Canada1910Straight pull bolt-action.303 British Mk.VII
  • Mk.III
  • Mk.III*
For training and Veteran's Guard of Canada use only.

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 MattressC-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 produced a wide variety of combat vehicles during World War II domestically, but all primary fighting vehicles were 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/IIICrusader2×Oerlikon 20mm gun1944?self-propelled AA gun
Skink anti-aircraft tankM4 Sherman4×Polsten (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[3]BuilderCountryLoad / Comments
AEC MatadorAECUKField Artillery Tractor
Corbitt 6-ton 6x6VariousUS6-ton (5440 kg)
Diamond T 4-ton 6x6Diamond TUS4-ton (3630 kg)
Dodge D8A (T212)DodgeCanada8cwt (800 lbs, 360 kg)
Ford GP, GPAFordUS1⁄4-ton 4x4, GPA amphibian
Morris C8Morris-CommercialUKField Artillery Tractor
Willys MB/Ford GPWWillys/FordUS"Jeep" 1⁄4-ton 4x4
C/F-8, C/F-8A CMPChevrolet/FordCanada8cwt (800 lbs, 360 kg)
C/F-15, C/F-15A CMPChevrolet/FordCanada15cwt (3⁄4-ton, 630 kg)
C/F-30, C/F-30A CMPChevrolet/FordCanada30cwt (1+1⁄2-ton, 1360 kg)
C/F-60, C/F-60A CMPChevrolet/FordCanada60cwt (3-ton, 2720 kg)
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 SiskinUKfighter1926–194012
Hawker HurricaneUK/Canadafighter1939–1948502
Grumman GoblinUS/Canadafighter1940–194215
North American NA-44USfighter/utility1940–19441
Supermarine SpitfireUKfighter1940–19508
Curtiss KittyhawkUSfighter1941–1946134
Curtiss WarhawkUSfighter1942–19439
Hawker Sea HurricaneUKfighter1942–19431
Curtiss TomahawkUSfighter1943–19464
de Havilland MosquitoUK/Canadabomber/fighter-bomber1943–1951444
Gloster MeteorUKfighter1945–19554

Attack aircraft

NamePlace of
manufacture		Primary
role(s)		Service
period		#
used
Blackburn Shark Mk.II & IIIUKtorpedo bomber1936–194426
Bristol BeaufortUKtorpedo bomber/strike/minelayer1941–194415
Brewster BermudaUSdive bomber1943–19463
Fairey Swordfish Mk.II & IIIUKtorpedo bomber1943–1947105
Fairey AlbacoreUKtorpedo bomber1943–19496

Bombers

Name1968 CF
designator		Place of
manufacture		Primary
role(s)		Service
period		#
used
Lockheed Hudsonn/aUSbomber1939–1948247
Hawker Hartn/aUKbomber1937–19433
Douglas Digbyn/aUSbomber1939–194620
Fairey Battlen/aUKbomber/trainer/target tug1939–1946740
Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroken/aCanadabomber/trainer1939–1947626
Handley Page Harrown/aUKbomber/transport1940–19412
Northrop Nomadn/aUSlight bomber1940–194532
Avro Ansonn/aUK/Canadamedium bomber/trainer1940–19474413
Handley Page Hampdenn/aUKbomber1941–194496
Bristol Blenheim Mk.IVn/aUKmedium bomber/gunnery trainer1941–19451
Douglas Bostonn/aUSbomber1941–19453
Avro Lancastern/aUK/Canadaheavy bomber1944–1965229
Martin Baltimoren/aUSbomber1942–19421
North American Mitchelln/aUSbomber1942–1963164
Boeing Fortress Mk.IIn/aUSlong-range patrol bomber1943–19466
Handley Page Halifaxn/aUKheavy bomber1944–1947

Reconnaissance aircraft

Name1968 CF
designator		Place of
manufacture		Primary
role(s)		Service
period		#
used
Canadian Vickers Vedetten/aCanadapatrol flying boat1925–194144
Canadian Vickers Vancouvern/aCanadapatrol flying boat1929–19406
Armstrong Whitworth Atlasn/aUKspotting/liaison1927–194216
Westland Wapitin/aUKspotting/liaison1930–194425
Hawker Audaxn/aUKspotting/liaison1933–19436
Supermarine Stranraern/aCanadapatrol seaplane1938–194640
Westland Lysandern/aUK/Canadaspotting/liaison/target tug1939–1946329
Consolidated Catalina/Canson/aUS/Canadamaritime patrol seaplane1941–1962254
Lockheed Venturan/aUSmaritime patrol/target tug1942–194728
Supermarine Walrusn/aUKfleet spotter/utility amphibian1943–19478
Consolidated Liberatorn/aUSmaritime patrol1943–194814

Trainers

Name1968 CF
designator		Place of
manufacture		Primary
role(s)		Service
period		#
used
De Havilland Mothn/aUKtrainer1928–194889
Curtiss-Reid Ramblern/aCanadatrainer/utility1929–19549
Hawker Tomtitn/aUKtrainer1930–19432
Avro Tutor (Avro 621)n/aUKtrainer1931–19457
Fleet Fawnn/aCanadaelementary trainer1931–194751
Avro Prefect (Avro 626)n/aUKtrainer1937–194512
de Havilland DH.82C Tiger Mothn/aCanadatrainer1938–19481410
Airspeed Oxfordn/aUKtrainer (navigation, bombing & radio)1939–1947819
Fleet Finchn/aCanadaelementary trainer1939–1947431
North American Harvardn/aUS/Canadaadvanced trainer1939–19682156
North American NA-26n/aUStrainer1940–19421
de Havilland Menasco Mothn/aCanadatrainer1941–1947136
Cessna Cranen/aUStrainer1941–1949826
Fleet Fortn/aCanadaintermediate/radio trainer1941–1945101
Hawker Hindn/aUKinstructional airframe1942–19434
Stearman Kaydet (Model 75)n/aUSelementary trainer1942–1943301
General Aircraft Hotspur Mk.IIn/aUKtraining glider1942–194522
Fairchild Cornelln/aUSelementary trainer1942–19481555

Transports

Name1968 CF
designator		Place of
manufacture		Primary
role(s)		Service
period		#
used
Consolidated Couriern/aUSutility1928–19413
Fairchild 71, 71B & 71Cn/aUS/Canadatransport1929–194223
Bellanca CH-300 Pacemakern/aUStransport1929–194413
Fairchild 51 & 51An/aUS/Canadatransport1930–19469
de Havilland Puss Mothn/aUKtransport1931–194419
Fairchild Super 71n/aCanadatransport1936–19402
Northrop Deltan/aCanadatransport/patrol1936–194520
Grumman Goosen/aUSutility amphibian1938–195631
Barkley-Grow T8P-1n/aUStransport1939–19411
Lockheed Electran/aUStransport1939–194615
Boeing 247Dn/aUStransport1940–19428
de Havilland Dragonflyn/aUKtransport1940–19456
Fairchild Argusn/aUSutility1940–19452
Lockheed Electra Juniorn/aUStransport1940–194510
Lockheed Model 212n/aUStransport1940–19461
North American Yalen/aUSintermediate/radio trainer1940–1946119
Stinson Voyager (Model 105)n/aUSutility1940–194625
Noorduyn Norsemann/aCanadautility transport1940–1957100
de Havilland Fox Mothn/aCanadatransport1941–19451
Beechcraft ExpeditorCT-128USutility/trainer1941–1972394
Waco AQC-6n/aUSutility1942–19421
Fleet Freightern/aCanadatransport1942–19442
Curtiss Seamewn/aUSutility floatplane1943–194482
Lockheed Lodestarn/aUStransport1943–194818
Douglas DakotaCC-129UStransport1943–1990169
Waco Hadrian Mk.IIn/aUStransport glider1944–194932

Radars

  • Night Watchman (NW), 200-MHz, 1-kW prototype of SW radars (from 1940)
  • CSC - anti-submarine radar, same as SW1 series
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • GL Mk. III(c) - microwave-frequency anti-aircraft gun-laying radar (from 1941)
  • Zone Position Indicator (ZPI) - VHF tactical control radar used in concert with GL Mk. III
  • Microwave Zone Position Indicator (MZPI) - replacement for ZPI using microwave electronics from GL Mk. III
  • 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

Notes

References

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