5th Canadian Infantry Brigade

The 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade was mobilized on 1 September 1939 as part of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. The brigade was formed before the declaration of World War II, and the battalions were promptly fleshed out by volunteers. Further expansion of the brigade was hindered by a temporary halt in recruitment and uncertainty about overseas deployment. Consequently, brigade headquarters were not actually formed until May / June 1940. After the Dieppe Raid the brigade, with the 2nd Canadian Division, moved to Normandy in time to serve with the British 2nd Army. They participated in the advance along the Channel Coast with the Canadian 1st Army, including the liberation of Dieppe. The division saw heavy action in the Netherlands in late 1944, and took part in the final offensives in 1945.

Organization
In 1939, the second division was organized along regional lines, like the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. The 5th Infantry Brigade's order of battle was as follows

Fifth Canadian Infantry Brigade – Quebec

 * The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada – Montreal, Quebec
 * Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal – Montreal, Quebec
 * Le Régiment de Maisonneuve – Montreal, Quebec
 * Le Régiment de la Chaudière (Mitrailleuses) – Levis, Quebec



Fifth Canadian Infantry Brigade 1944–45

 * The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada
 * Le Régiment de Maisonneuve
 * The Calgary Highlanders
 * 5 Canadian Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)