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One day after the Soviet Union approved the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (non-aggression treaty between Germany and the Soviet Union), Germany invades Poland. On 17 September, the Soviet Union also invades and Poland is split between the two aggressors.
Only four cavalry/tank units are mobilized in the fall of 1939. The 1st Hussars and the Ontario Regiment (Tank) are called out to support the 1st Division. The Fort Garry Horse and the Three Rivers Regiment (Tank) will support 2nd Division.
The Canadian Armoured Fighting Vehicle School (CAFVS) at Camp Borden is also called to active service and has its name changed to Canadian Armoured Fighting Vehicle Training Centre (CAFVTC). In spite of the official changes it is still commonly referred to as the School.
Canada declares war on Germany.
The signing of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan in December leads the government to stopping all recruiting activities except for the 1st Division. Their hope is that the air force will become Canada’s major contribution to the war. In this environment, there is even less interest in the tank.
For the same reason courses in the fall and winter for both 1st Hussars and Ontario Regiment personnel were cancelled.
A number of influential businessmen including H. L Gordon (Accountant and future Minister of Finance), J. M. MacDonnell (Lawyer and future Minister), R. S. McLaughlin (Founder of GM Canada) amongst others raised a private fund for the CAFVTC.
This fund was used to purchase radios and other wireless training equipment. Equipment for a modern kitchen such as dishwashers, peelers, beaters etc. was also procured.
GM and Ford donated not just engines and spare parts but also sent instructors and engineers to the School.
In January 1940, Lieutenant-Colonel F.F. Worthington is called to Ottawa to be told that the CAFVTC is to be closed. The army does not expect to use tanks in this war. He is to do one more course on armoured cars for the RCD and LSH and then switch to training infantry carrier drivers.
Worthington chooses to ignore the orders. He does not disband the radio, gunnery, or tactics sections. He just includes them on the infantry carrier drivers courses for the next 400 driver candidates. He also continues to train the Ontario Regiment in tank tactics when possible.
(Picture - German troops disembarking from ships in Norwegian harbour) From the first declaration of war between the Allies and Germany, no real movement has taken place on the Western Front. This quiet time is called the “Phony War” or “Sitzkrieg.” It comes to an end when Germany invades Denmark and Norway in April.
(Picture - Panzer II tank crossing into Belgium) In 1936, Belgium’s King Leopold III announced that in the event of another European war, Belgium would remain neutral. Germany accepted this in 1937. However, on 10 May 1940, the Germans invaded and Belgium fell in 18 days.
From 1-4 June 1940, more than 338,000 British and French soldiers were evacuated from Dunkirk. Many others were left to be captured along with all of their equipment.
A few days later, on 22 June, France signed an armistice and the Battle for France was over.
The Canadian Government’s reaction to Dunkirk was to restart recruiting for the 2nd Division and to authorize a third. As well, the creation of a tank brigade was under study. On 10 June 1940, the Minister of National Defence, Norman Rogers, was to fly to Toronto to meet with Worthington to discuss the organisation and training needs of a new armoured organization. Unfortunately, his plane crashed on the way and the minister was killed. His replacement, Colonel (retd) J.L. Ralston, asked Worthington to resubmit a planning paper on creating an Armoured Corps. On 19 June, Worthington resubmitted his paper, along with recommendations for training and organisation.
In June 1940, Germany had secured most of continental Europe and its attention turned to England.
German plans indicated a desire to blockade England and gain a negotiated peace or if necessary; invade. Either option required neutralization of the Royal Air Force.
This led to the Battle of Britain and then the Blitz.
By October 1940, it was evident that the Luftwaffe had not achieved it objectives. Britain lost a total of 1,494 aircrew from all commands while the Luftwaffe aircrew losses were counted at 2,662.
Under General Order 250, the creation of the Canadian Armoured Corps was authorized under the command of Colonel Worthington.
Initially, four units were allocated to the Corps: Fort Garry Horse, 1st Canadian Calvary Regiment (Mechanized), Ontario Regiment (Tank), and Three Rivers Regiment (Tank). Seven reserve units were also named: 2nd Fort Garry Horse, Argyll Light Infantry (Tank), 2nd Ontario Regiment (Tank), 2nd Three Rivers Regiment (Tank), Calgary Regiment (Tank), New Brunswick Regiment (Tank), and Essex Regiment (Tank). The 1st Canadian Armour Brigade was also authorised comprised of the Fort Garrys, Ontarios and TRR with the 1st Cavalry Regiment (Mechanised) attached until a second brigade could be raised
(Picture: Camp Borden Rail head; October 1940) Although Canada now had a tank brigade, it still did not have any tanks. A quick solution was the acquisition of M1917 tanks from the United States. The Americans were willing to sell war material to Canada but as they were still formally neutral such sales had to be disguised. Worthington arranged for 250 First World War era M1917 tanks (licensed copies of the Renault FT tank) from Rock Island Arsenal at a cost of 240 dollars each. To hide their use, the manifest and purchase agreements described them as “Scrap Iron” and had them delivered to the “Camp Borden Iron Works” in care of “Mr. Worthington.”
Only 236 tanks were delivered. Although already obsolete, they provided the vehicle training required for the Corps until sufficient modern vehicles became available.
In mid-December of 1940, the British War Office requested that Canada provide a full armoured division as soon as possible. Britain needed nine armoured divisions and requested that Canada supply one.
Britain will supply US-sourced M3 Tanks and training once the division is on the ground in the UK. The British plan is to have the division in England by fall of 1941 and trained for battle by summer 1942
(Picture: 1 Canadian Army Tank Brigade vehicle formation sign)
1Canadian Army Tank Brigade was authorized on 4 February 1941 with the 11th Army Tank Battalion (The Ontario Regiment (Tank)) and the 12th Army Tank Battalion (The Three Rivers Regiment (Tank)). Brigadier Worthington was transferred from 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade to command the new brigade. The headquarters squadron was posted from the New Brunswick Regiment (Tank).
The 14th Army Tank Battalion (The Calgary Regiment (Tank)) joined in March.
The brigade was posted to Camp Borden and trained with M1917 and Canadian-made Valentine tanks before going overseas in July 1941.
On 15 February 1941, the Canadian Armoured Fighting Vehicle Training Centre was split into two different sections.
A8 Canadian Armoured Corps (Advanced) Training Centre would train soldiers for the Army Tank Brigade and reconnaissance units.
A9 Canadian Armoured Corps (Advanced) Training Centre would train soldiers for the newly created 1st Armoured Division.
Colonel E.L.M. Burns replaces Brigadier Worthington as Officer Administering, The Canadian Armoured Corps.
The 1st Canadian Armoured Division was composed of a headquarters squadron, an armoured car regiment and 2 brigades (each comprised of 3 tank regiments and 1 motor infantry battalion).
The formation was mobilised in February but did not reach Camp Borden for training until June.
Some traditional cavalry units are allocated to reconnaissance duties with the existing three infantry divisions.
The 4 Princess Louise Dragoon Guards serve with the 1st Canadian Division, the 14th Hussars with the 2nd, and the 17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars with the 3rd.
These units were equipped with a mix of Universal Carriers, Humber Armoured Cars, and Humber Scout Cars.
The government forms the Canadian Women's Army Corps. The first recruits begin training in September.
In a moment of clarity, the government decides that all divisions should be numbered in sequence so 1st Canadian Armoured Division becomes 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division.
The division trains in Canada and embarks for England in late November 1941.
The first Canadian Ram Cruiser tank comes off the production line at the Montreal Locomotive Works' Canadian Tank Arsenal. One is shipped to England for testing, and another to the Aberdeen Proving Ground in the USA for evaluation. Mass Production starts immediately.
The first Ram Tanks reach Camp Borden in February 1942 for training purposes.
The 4th Division, which was raised as an infantry formation, was
re-designated 4th Canadian Armoured Division (4 CAD) effective 26 January 1942. The Division was quartered in Debert Nova Scotia.
As the units and soldiers of the 4 CAD had no armoured training the entire division had to under basic instruction. Since it was not feasible to move the division to Borden cadres of instructors from each unit were sent to Borden for training. They then returned to Debert to train the units. It was hoped that the training would be complete by June 1942.
Raised on the same date as 4 CAD, 26 January 1942, the 2nd Army Tank Brigade (16/22nd Saskatchewan Horse, Halifax Rifles and Grey and Simcoe Foresters) was equipped with Ram II tanks and was able to train at the newly opened Meaford tank ranges in Ontario. This brigade was the first Canadian tank formation to have tanks at its inception.
The formation embarked for England arriving in June 1943.
In early March 1942, Major-General Worthington arrived in Debert Nova Scotia to take command of 4 CAD. While passing through Halifax he came across 165 new Mark II Ram tanks sitting at the dock awaiting shipment to Britain. The tanks were all missing their 6-pounder main armament. Worthy immediately contacted Ottawa and got them to agree to give 4 CAD 65 of the vehicles. When the 65 tanks arrived at Debert the only two people who knew how to drive a tank were Worthy and his senior staff officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Gaisford. The two senior officers thus had the task of unloading the tank train, much to the amusement of the troops.
Later a tank train carrying Rams equiped with the 6-pounder guns stopped at Debert on its way to Halifax, Worthy arranged to take four of them so that he could do gunnery training. One of them was named Robin in honour of his daughter.
Worthington and his staff were able to convert the infantry division to a capable armoured division in less than five months
By 1942, the training facilities at Camp Borden were being overwhelmed. In May, an instructor’s course was established so that Corps training could be ramped up across the country.
In January 1942, A27 Canadian Armoured Corps Training Centre moved to Camp Dundurn in Saskatchewan.
By July 1942, the Corps Training Group included The Tactical School, The Instructors School, The Experimental Wing, The Armoured Fighting Vehicle Range and Detail, Two demonstration troops, and the Armoured Fighting Vehicle Training Centre.
In July, a large tract of land (7,200 hectares, 18,000 acres) was acquired near Meaford Ontario (approximately 100 km west of Camp Borden). This acquisition allowed for all of the tank training to remain at Borden. Meaford Ranges were officially opened in October.
The Armoured Fighting Vehicle Training Centre is renamed A33 Canadian Armoured Corps Training Establishment.
The three Training Centres (A8, A9, A28) are absorbed and restructured as Armoured Training Regiments. Each regiment has gunnery, wireless (radio), and driver/maintenance sections and train 18 officers and 300 men per month.
At this time, the staff of the training establishment is 2,300 all ranks with a student population of around 3,000.
The Canadian Armoured Corps Band is formed under Bandmaster WO1 C.H. Fowke. The Band tours all of the training centres over the next year.
The German Army invaded France on 10 May 1940. One month later, Italy became an ally of Germany.
British, Indian, and Rhodesian forces were based in Egypt. They assumed defensive positions and the next day, began raids into Libya.
On 25 Jun 1940, the French surrendered - allowing Italian forces facing the French in Tunisia to join the Italian 10th Army. The Italian 10th Army was ordered to invade Egypt by 8 August 1940.
In May of 1944, Maj-General Worthington returns to Camp Borden as Camp Commandant; a post the he holds until retirement. Although not officially, he also commands A33 CACTC and continues to oversee the future of the Corps.
By 1943, 26,000 Canadians are serving in the Canadian Armoured Corps. On strength are four reconnaissance regiments, two armoured car regiments, two armoured divisions and two independent tank brigades.
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In the fall of 1939, Lt Col Worthington approached Ottawa to authorize a distinctive cap badge for the CAFVS. This was the second time as he applied a year earlier and the request was refused. This time, he was successful. The badge is based on the Royal Tank Regiment badge - a First World War tank surrounded by leaves topped by a crown and a scroll with the RTR motto "Fear Naught". The scroll's motto was replaces by the word "Canada". 
The M1917 tank was a US tank manufactured under license from Renault. It was a near-copy of the very successful WW1 Renault FT tank.