Monday, September 28, 2026

A Soldier of the 132nd Battalion (North Shore), CEF is Seen Operating a Colt–Browning M1895 "Potato Digger" Machine Gun

 



A soldier from the M1895/14 machine gun is seen operating a Colt–Browning M1895 "Potato Digger" machine gun mounted on a tripod. Introduced in 1895, this air-cooled, belt-fed weapon was notable for its unusual gas-operated mechanism and saw service in various conflicts, including World War I. Some Canadian infantry formations, like the 21st Battalion, CEF used .303-caliber M1895/14 machine guns in combat, as did the 10th Battalion, CEF which employed them until mid-1917 when they were replaced by the Lewis gun. 

The 132nd Battalion, based in Chatham, New Brunswick, began recruiting in late 1915 in North Shore and Northumberland Counties. After sailing to England in October 1916, the battalion was absorbed into the 13th Reserve Battalion on January 28, 1917.


Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Canadian Tank Crews Landing on Juno Beach, June 6, 1944.


Canadian tank crews are seen removing water-proofing from their tanks on the Normandy beachhead during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944.

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The Battle of Caen, July 1944




This photograph was taken in the similar area as the previous one, now is civilian free. This Canadian tank, is stopped in the streets of Caen, France. July 10, 1944.

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The Battle of Caen, July 1944


Canadian tanks in the streets of Caen, France. July 10, 1944.





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Canada's Military History 2.0

Welcome to Canada's Military History 2.0—a dynamic, image-rich archive dedicated to exploring Canada’s military past. From early colonial skirmishes & Indigenous alliances to the global conflicts of today, this site brings history to life through our photographs, archival footage, & original writing. Whether you’re a curious person with a passing interest in our military history, you’ll find lots here that challenge, illuminate, & honour the vastness of our military heritage.



The Battle of Ortona, 1943.


 A lone Canadian fires his 6-pdr at the enemy during the Battle of Ortona. December 1943.

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Sergeant Harold Marshall, Canadian Sniper. World War II


Sergeant Harold A Marshall, a sniper with the Calgary Highlanders, cleans his No. 4 Mk I (T) rifle near Kapellen, Belgium, 6 October 1944.

Sergeant Marshall, was perhaps one of the most famous Canadian images to come out of the Second World War.

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Wartime Parade in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. 1941.

 


Wartime parade during the Apple Blossom Festival in Kentville in 1941.

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Sunrise on the Western Front, April 1917.


 

Sunrise on the Western Front, April 1917.

This footage shows Canadian troops at a front-line machine gun post at dawn, filmed in April 1917, probably during the Second Battle of Arras. 

The Second Battle of Arras was a significant Allied offensive on the Western Front during the First World War. Taking place from April 9 to May 16, 1917, the five-week-long battle was part of the Anglo-French Nivelle Offensive. The battle was significant because of the swift and spectacular gains made by the Allies, especially the capture of Vimy Ridge by the Canadian Corps, which, up to that point, was considered virtually impregnable. Despite this initial success, when the battle ended in a stalemate, both sides had endured over 300,000 casualties. This battle was part of a broader strategy to shatter the German defences and engage the smaller German Army in a war of movement.

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Featured Post

Abbaye d'Ardenne Massacre, June 7-8, 1944

Image: Memorial to Canadian prisoners of war executed in the garden of the Ardenne Abbey, in the Calvados region of Normandy in France. Abba...