Synopses & Reviews
In 1939 Canada's entire regular army could have fit into Maple Leaf Gardens two and a half times over. The navy had no more than six good ships and four coastal vessels while the air force could only muster a collection of flying antiques. Why did this happen?
Military historian Larry D. Rose examines the military's own failures, the hidden agenda of Prime Minister Mackenzie King, and the divisions within Canada. Combined with the Depression they added up to a nation that was near defenceless. Among the results were two of Canada's costliest military defeats ever. Those who lived through the turbulent times recall the disasters of Munich and Appeasement and the heroism and dedication of armed forces members. Extensive research reveals why it all happened.
Review
[Starred Review] The picture Rose paints in the 13 chapters of his book of a Canadian military crippled by governmental foolishness seems oddly familiar to modern eyes; underfunded armed forces and fumbled military acquisitions prove an enduring theme in Canadian history. The author's account is straightforward, well-organized, firmly presented and utterly damning. Blacklock's Reporter
Review
<i>Mobilize!</i> is vivid and wonderfully researched. Blacklock's Reporter
Review
No dull collection of dates, statistics and indecisions but rather a painstakingly researched yet highly entertaining description of Canada sleepwalking to World War Two.
Review
For those who want to know some intriguing facts of our history and why Canada was completely unprepared for the Second World War, this is a must read. The portrait of King is masterful and Rose's writing style makes it an excellent read. As a young soldier who enlisted in the first week of the war I wondered why we were so unprepared. Now I know! George S. MacDonell
Review
Mobilize! is vivid and wonderfully researched. Hong Kong Veteran
Synopsis
Military historian Larry D. Rose examines the military's own failures, those of Prime Minister Mackenzie King, and the divisions within Canada leading up to 1939. Combined with the Depression it all added up to a nation that was near defenceless. Among the results were two of Canada's costliest military defeats ever.
Synopsis
Military specialist Larry D. Rose examines why Canada was not training and preparing to go to war before the declaration in 1939. The failures of all involved are examined, as are the other issues that delayed this important decision resulting in the significant loss of Canadians in Dieppe and in Hong Kong.
Synopsis
Why was Canada not preparing for the Second World War when the rest of the world was ready to meet Hitler's threats?
Despite Canada's active participation in the First World War, which many claimed made Canada a nation, the country was almost defenceless in September 1939 when war was declared again.
Larry D. Rose, a long-time journalist and a military specialist, examines the military's own failures, the hidden agenda of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, and the divisions within Canada leading up to Canada's entry into the war. He suggests that the lack of preparedness was directly responsible for two of Canada's costliest military defeats: the battle of Hong Kong and Dieppe.
About the Author
Larry D. Rose spent twenty-four years at CTV News. He has worked as producer of CTV National News with Lloyd Robertson, and as news director at CTV Kitchener (now CTV Southwest). He has also worked for The Canadian Press and Global News. He lives in Toronto.
J.L. Granatstein, the director of the Canadian War Museum from 1998 to 2000, is a Toronto historian and the author of Who Killed the Canadian Military?.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Foreword by J. L. Granatstein
Chapter One: War Stations
Chapter Two: Close to the Vanishing Point
Chapter Three: The Dazzling Ballistician and the Unspectacular Sailor
Chapter Four: The Fat Little Conjuror
Chapter Five: Canada in a Mad World
Chapter Six: Expanding Torrents, Huff Duff, and the First Letter of Obscene Words
Chapter Seven: Right Up There With Joan of Arc
Chapter Eight: Bren Gun Misfire
Chapter Nine: A Total and Unmitigated Defeat
Chapter Ten: Who Can Hope to Appease a Boa Constrictor?
Chapter Eleven: Fixing to Chaw the Goddam Nazis to Death
Chapter Twelve: Ugly Surprises, Awful Miscalculations
Chapter Thirteen: Pull Down the Blinds and Hide Under the Bed
Appendix
Notes
Interviews