Personal Tales Of The War

The Battle of Britain remains one of the most consequential campaigns of the Second World War. Canadians served throughout.

One of them was Bill Sprenger, who would lose his life during the Blitz.

Some of his letters and his Memorial Cross are displayed here.

The Battle of The Atlantic lasted from the first day of the war to the very last day, the longest of the war.

Faces from that era look back at us through time.

In the foreground here is a rocket launcher called a Land Mattress.

This is the life jacket of a German pilot who was shot down in France in July 1944. He ended up a POW, and Canadian officers went from foe to friend, treating him well, signing the jacket.

Alex Campbell was an officer who sought to follow the example of his father, who had served and died in the First World War. He served in North Africa, Sicily, and on the Italian mainland, proving to be courageous under fire and more than capable of leading his men. He would die in the line of duty.

A look at the next space.

Not that many Canadians served in North Africa, but some officers were brought along for combat experience, including Campbell.

It was in the Italian campaign that many Canadians would start to show their merit.

Tank At Crossroads is the title of this 1943 painting by William Ogilvie.