3rd Canadian Infantry Division

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3rd Canadian Infantry Division
3^rd Canadian Infantry Division Formation Patch
Active	1940-1945
Country	Canada
Allegiance	Allies
Branch	Canadian Army
Type	Infantry
Nickname	The Water Rats
Battles/wars	D-Day, Juno Beach Battle of Normandy The Scheldt
Commanders
Current commander	n/a
Notable commanders	Rod Keller

The formation of the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division was authorized on 17 May 1940. There was then a considerable delay until the brigade and divisional headquarters were formed on September 5, and the first divisional commander was appointed on October 26.

While the division’s components were forming, The Cameron Highlanders were detached and transferred to Iceland as part of Z Force. The battalion spent the winter of 1940–41 there before moving to the UK. The division's 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade and 9th Canadian Infantry Brigades began embarking as early as July 1, 1941 and arrived in the UK at the end of that month. The 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade embarked in August and arrived at the beginning of September. After its arrival, the division spent three uneventful years in garrison and training duties prior to the assault landing on Juno Beach in Normandy, as part of the British 2nd Army, later joining the newly-formed Canadian 1st Army. Battle honours include Caen, Falaise, capturing the Channel ports, the Breskens pocket, and the final offensives of 1945.