The division spent almost two years training in the UK before crossing to Normandy in July 1944. It participated in the advance from Normandy, spent almost two months engaged at the Breskens pocket, wintered in the Netherlands, and took part in the final advance across northern Germany.
Mobilized in September 1940, the 4thCanadianDivision contained in its order of battle, the 10th, 11th and 12th Infantry Brigades.
An armoureddivision called for just two brigades (in the case of 4thArmouredDivision these would be the 3rd and 4thCanadianArmoured Brigades) and so only six of the original nine infantry battalions became armoured regiments, the remaining three battalions being diverted to other formations.
The conversion of the division from infantry to armour - accomplished in the unbelievable period of only five months - was carried out by Major-General F.F. Worthington, known to all as Worthy, the founder of the Royal CanadianArmoured Corps.
Canadian formations in the UK consisted of, by the end of 1943, three infantry divisions, two armoureddivisions, and two independent armoured brigades.
In 1943, the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, 1st CanadianArmoured Brigade, and 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division were detached from the Army for participation in the Italian Campaign.
II Canadian Corps became operational in Normandy in early July 1944, as the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division landed.
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