Conflict
By November 1941, Canada’s Home War Establishment had established
just 12 functional combat squadrons. The success of the
December attack on Pearl Harbour by Japan brought renewed
attention to home defence. With war in the Pacific, Canada
now faced defence needs on both coasts, and confidence that
Japan would not attempt an invasion of North America was
shaken. By March 1942, there were 17 squadrons, eight in Eastern
Command, nine in the Western Command and plans to expand to 49
squadrons overall.
The
last number proved impossible and unnecessary. The
Battle of Midway in June 1942 stopped the Japanese advance
in the Pacific, eliminating the danger of a significant
attack on the west coast of North America. Britain and the
United States continued to place a low priority on Canadian defence,
severely limiting the allocation of aircraft to Canadian
soil. The threat on both coasts continued to lessen after
1942, through to the end of the war. Canadian home defence
plans diminished accordingly.
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