03-07-2014, 02:04 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-07-2014, 02:14 AM by Grizzly Dave.)
In June of 1942 The USA had been at war with the Japaneses since December, but Canada was a totally undefended coast until the Canadian Ship SS Fort Camosun was torpedoed by Japanese sub I-25 off Lapush Washington and the Japs also shelled one of our lighthouses at Estevan Point.
Canada had committed most of her troops to the European theater fighting Hitler's huns and a call immediately went out for volunteers to man the home defense against Japan.
Hundreds of men lined up to join to fight the Japanese if they invaded the west coast of Canada arming themselves at their own expense with their own hunting rifles, clothing, food and ammunition.
These men were the vanguard of what became the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers who served through the war until September of 1945 when the units were disbanded.
By 1943 the uniform consisted of a Dry-back canvas coat and booney style hat, by Jones Tent and Awning in Vancouver, B.C. and a Winchester 1894 rifle with hard point solid ammunition to conform with the Geneva Convention. In a scramble to arm the ever increasing Ranger units, the Canadian Government procured some Lee-Enfield No.I mk.IIIs in .303, some P-14s in .303 and some P-17's in 30-06 as well as some Sten guns although most units only trained with them but were never issued.There were also some Bren guns but alot of the weapons were improvised such as molotov cocktails and dynamite filled metal pipes for grenades.
Officers were elected by the men as in the Texas Rangers and were able to resign theit commissioon any time, but enlisted ranks had to serve 30 days notice.
The men were at first taken from the men who worked in the woods and loggers as well as fishermen patrolled at their own expense. Japanese fishermen in Canadian waters were boarded by Rangers operating in their own fishing boats and the Japanese vessels were impounded. By the end of the war several Rangers were as young as 13.
Many of the Patrols were several days in duration through very rough country and the men had to be able to survive weather, terrain and sometimes forage for their food. All government rations went to Europe.
The Pacific Coast Militia Rangers illustrate that when in time of uncertainty and under the threat of aggression, how quickly a people can rise and work together to protect their lands, homes and citizens. Like many WWII veterens there are fewer Rangers with each passing year, but their contribution to the war will not be forgotten at least here in British Columbia.
I think they would have made great Hoodlums <img src='http://hoodswoods.net/IVB/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thumbsup:' />/>
Griz
Canada had committed most of her troops to the European theater fighting Hitler's huns and a call immediately went out for volunteers to man the home defense against Japan.
Hundreds of men lined up to join to fight the Japanese if they invaded the west coast of Canada arming themselves at their own expense with their own hunting rifles, clothing, food and ammunition.
These men were the vanguard of what became the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers who served through the war until September of 1945 when the units were disbanded.
By 1943 the uniform consisted of a Dry-back canvas coat and booney style hat, by Jones Tent and Awning in Vancouver, B.C. and a Winchester 1894 rifle with hard point solid ammunition to conform with the Geneva Convention. In a scramble to arm the ever increasing Ranger units, the Canadian Government procured some Lee-Enfield No.I mk.IIIs in .303, some P-14s in .303 and some P-17's in 30-06 as well as some Sten guns although most units only trained with them but were never issued.There were also some Bren guns but alot of the weapons were improvised such as molotov cocktails and dynamite filled metal pipes for grenades.
Officers were elected by the men as in the Texas Rangers and were able to resign theit commissioon any time, but enlisted ranks had to serve 30 days notice.
The men were at first taken from the men who worked in the woods and loggers as well as fishermen patrolled at their own expense. Japanese fishermen in Canadian waters were boarded by Rangers operating in their own fishing boats and the Japanese vessels were impounded. By the end of the war several Rangers were as young as 13.
Many of the Patrols were several days in duration through very rough country and the men had to be able to survive weather, terrain and sometimes forage for their food. All government rations went to Europe.
The Pacific Coast Militia Rangers illustrate that when in time of uncertainty and under the threat of aggression, how quickly a people can rise and work together to protect their lands, homes and citizens. Like many WWII veterens there are fewer Rangers with each passing year, but their contribution to the war will not be forgotten at least here in British Columbia.
I think they would have made great Hoodlums <img src='http://hoodswoods.net/IVB/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thumbsup:' />/>
Griz
Hopefully the S won't HTF and I pray every day that it won't. It would not be fun.
I have a high art..I wound with cruelty, all who wound me...Archillocus; 650 B.C.
I have a high art..I wound with cruelty, all who wound me...Archillocus; 650 B.C.
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