A Thoroughly Canadian General: A Biography of General H. D. G. Crerar
General H.D.G. 'Harry' Crerar (1888-1965) was involved in or directly responsible for many of the defining moments of Canadian military history in the twentieth century. In the First World War, Crerar was nearly killed at the second battle of Ypres, was a gunner who helped to secure victory at Vimy Ridge, and was a senior staff officer during the pivotal battles of the last Hundred Days. During the Second World War, he occupied and often defined the Canadian army's senior staff and...
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General H.D.G. 'Harry' Crerar (1888-1965) was involved in or directly responsible for many of the defining moments of Canadian military history in the twentieth century. In the First World War, Crerar was nearly killed at the second battle of Ypres, was a gunner who helped to secure victory at Vimy Ridge, and was a senior staff officer during the pivotal battles of the last Hundred Days. During the Second World War, he occupied and often defined the Canadian army's senior staff and operational appointments, including his tenure as commander of First Canadian Army through the northwest European campaign.Despite his pivotal role in shaping the Canadian army, however, General Crerar has been long overlooked as a subject of biography. In A Thoroughly Canadian General, Paul Douglas Dickson examines the man and his controversial place in Canadian military history, arguing that Crerar was a nationalist who saw the army as an instrument to promote Canadian identity and civic responsibility. From his days as a student at the Royal Military College in Kingston, to his role as primary architect of First Canadian Army, the career of General H.D.G. Crerar is thoroughly examined with a view to considering and reinforcing his place in the history of Canada and its armed forces.
Acknowledgments ixIntroduction xiiiAbbreviations xxiMaps xxvMap Credits xlivHamilton Roots 3Baptism of Fire 25The Killing Ground 46Learning the Game 69Stagnation 86The Politics of Preparedness 100Limited Liability War 118Chief of the General Staff 137Hong Kong and the Politics of Army Expansion 157Father of First Canadian Army 174Preparing 1st Canadian Corps 184Dieppe 198Replacing McNaughton 211Corps Command in Italy 226Taking Command of the Army 237First Canadian Army and Overlord 260The Normandy Campaign 283The Learning Curve: Totalize and Tractable 304Coalition Battles 321First Canadian Army and the Scheldt 337The Rhineland Offensive 360Veritable: Crerar's Battle 381The Final Campaign 401Casting the Postwar Army 422Fading Away 442Notes 467Bibliography 543Index 559
