8th Canadian Infantry Division

The 8th Canadian Infantry Division was a military formation of the Canadian Army that served within Pacific Command in Western Canada during World War II. The Division units were raised on 18 March 1942 and the HQ was raised on 12 May 1942 at Prince George, BC. The Division was a home defence unit, initially consisting of the 19th, 20th, and 21st Canadian Infantry Brigades. In July the home Defence Divisions were reorganised and the 8th Division consisted of the 14th and 16th Infantry Brigades. The 19th Brigade went to the 6th Canadian Infantry Division, the 20th went to the 7th Canadian Infantry Division, and the 21st would remain at Valcartier, PQ as a strategic reserve. The 8th Canadian Infantry Division was disbanded on 15 October 1943, along with the 16th Brigade. The 14th Brigade returned to the 6th Division.

8th Canadian Infantry Division
Formation patch of the 8th Canadian Infantry Division.
Active	18 March 1942 - 15 October 1943
Country	Canada
Branch	Canadian Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Engagements	World War II
Commanders
Notable commanders	Major General Hardy N. Ganong

Throughout its relatively brief existence, the division was commanded by Major General Hardy N. Ganong.

Order of battle

June 1942

• Headquarters, 8th Division
  • 8th Division Intelligence Section
  • No. 8 Field Security Section
  • No. 8 Defence and Employment Platoon (Lorne Scots)
• Machine Gun Battalion -The Prince of Wales Rangers (MG)
• 19th Brigade
  • 3rd Battalion, Irish Fusiliers of Canada
  • Winnipeg Light Infantry
  • Prince Albert Volunteers
  • No. 19 Defence Platoon
• 20th Brigade
  • 3rd Battalion, The Queen's Own Rifles
  • 3rd Battalion, The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
  • 2nd/10th Dragoons
  • No. 20 Defence Platoon
• 21st Brigade
  • 3rd Battalion, Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal
  • 3rd Battalion, Le Regiment de Maisonneuve
  • Le Regiment de Levis
  • No. 21 Defence Platoon

Units of the supporting arms included:

• Royal Canadian Artillery:
  • Headquarters, Eighth Divisional Artillery, RCA
  • 25th Field Regiment
    • 114th Field Battery
    • 115th Field Battery
    • 116th Field Battery
  • 26th Field Regiment
    • 117th Field Battery
    • 118th Field Battery
    • 119th Field Battery
  • 27th Field Regiment
    • 120th Field Battery
    • 121st Field Battery
    • 122nd Field Battery
• Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers:
  • Headquarters 8th Divisional Engineers, RCE
    • 21st Field Company, RCE
    • 24th Field Company, RCE
• Royal Canadian Corps of Signals:
  • Headquarters 8th Divisional Signals RCCS
• Canadian Provost Corps:
  • Provost Company

Plus units of the RCASC, RCAMC, RCOC, CPC, etc.^[1]

References

1. "canadiansoldiers.com". canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved 12 August 2021.