The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge The Good Allies - The Canada-US Relationship During WW2 - Encore
Oct 29, 2025
Tim Cook, an award-winning military historian and chief historian at the Canadian War Museum, dives deep into Canada-U.S. relations during WWII. He discusses the haunting imagery of his book cover and the significance of the Devil's Brigade. Tim reveals the complexities of Canada's wartime contributions, balancing diplomatic ties with military needs, and the importance of telling Canada's unique story in the larger narrative of the war. He also shares insights on Canada's critical role in major campaigns and the lessons learned from events like Dieppe.
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Devil's Brigade As A Shared Identity
- The Devil's Brigade symbolized deep Canadian–American military integration during WWII.
- Shared units blurred national identities while preserving distinct cultural boundaries.
North American Defense Required Deep Coordination
- Canada and the U.S. had to coordinate continent-wide defense, industry, finance, and diplomacy.
- That coordination was difficult but essential before Canada could send forces overseas.
Taken For Granted By A Neutral Superpower
- The U.S. initially expected Canadian concurrence and sometimes took it for granted.
- Canada had to balance leaning on the U.S. for help while protecting its sovereignty.
