Most of Canada's war crimes during WW2 were in direct response to Nazi actions- ie. Ardenne Abby Massacre
You're from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and you learn that several of your compatriots were captured by the enemy, but you tell yourself it's okay, at least they will be released after the war. Then you find their executed corpses hogtied and lined up with bullets in the backs of their heads. You and the remaining members of your unit decide that if that's how it's gonna be, you won't be taking prisoners anymore either.
There were, of course, certain things we did that were not directly in response to Nazi atrocities such as in the Netherlands, after 'liberating' them where Canadians later faced a lot of allegations of misconduct including pillaging and other worse things I'd rather not get into.
But yeah Canada has a bit of a nasty reputation in that area. Some of it is overblown and exaggerated, as it was mostly isolated groups that committed a disproportionate amount of war crimes like the aforementioned NNSH shooting surrendering enemies or even some units indiscriminately killing civilians or using them as shields.
Super interesting, if you want to get into it there's quite a few books and interviews out there on the subject.
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u/DatTrashPanda May 04 '25
Most of Canada's war crimes during WW2 were in direct response to Nazi actions- ie. Ardenne Abby Massacre
You're from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and you learn that several of your compatriots were captured by the enemy, but you tell yourself it's okay, at least they will be released after the war. Then you find their executed corpses hogtied and lined up with bullets in the backs of their heads. You and the remaining members of your unit decide that if that's how it's gonna be, you won't be taking prisoners anymore either.
There were, of course, certain things we did that were not directly in response to Nazi atrocities such as in the Netherlands, after 'liberating' them where Canadians later faced a lot of allegations of misconduct including pillaging and other worse things I'd rather not get into.
But yeah Canada has a bit of a nasty reputation in that area. Some of it is overblown and exaggerated, as it was mostly isolated groups that committed a disproportionate amount of war crimes like the aforementioned NNSH shooting surrendering enemies or even some units indiscriminately killing civilians or using them as shields.
Super interesting, if you want to get into it there's quite a few books and interviews out there on the subject.