Canadian Expeditionary Force | |
---|---|
Active | 1914–1919 |
Country | ![]() |
Role | Expeditionary warfare |
Size | 619,646 men (total) |
Nickname(s) | CEF |
Engagements | World War I |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Lieutenant General Edwin Alderson Lieutenant General Julian Byng Lieutenant General Arthur Currie |
The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was the expeditionary field force of Canada during the First World War. It was formed on 15 August 1914 following Britain’s declaration of war on the German Empire, with an initial strength of one infantry division. The division subsequently fought at Ypres on the Western Front, with a newly raised second division reinforcing the committed units to form the Canadian Corps. The CEF and corps was eventually expanded to four infantry divisions, which were all committed to the fighting in France and Belgium along the Western Front. A fifth division was partially raised in 1917, but was broken up in 1918 and used as reinforcements following heavy casualties.