Canada Declassified

Are you interested in researching Canadian involvement in the War on Terror? The Operation APOLLO files are an excellent research resource. They contain official and logistics documents, communications, and reports elaborating on the impacts of Canadian operations.

“They have everything that any soldier can possibly want: an assortment of guns, hip flasks, poker dice, signed photos of Rita Hayworth, pocketfuls of french letters and occupation money.” – N. Lewis, Naples ’44. Who were these Canadian soldiers?

In 1960 Canadian diplomat Jim Nutt visited Cape Canaveral alongside several NATO representatives. An Atlas missile launch was intended to reassure America’s NATO allies of its nuclear might, but for Jim Nutt, it inspired a sobering reflection.

1955, “The Lobster Festival” was a Department of External Affairs/CBC-IS Cold War cooperative radio propaganda operation. Canadian “Kremlinologists” sought to leverage a perceived rift within the Soviet leadership concerning its relationship with communist China.

A Canadian intelligence officer, diplomat, and historian of Japan, Herbert Norman was posted to US counterintelligence in postwar Tokyo. Norman was tasked with monitoring Japanese patriotic societies and their members to identify possible future confidential informants or inside assets.

Oleg Gordievsky’s exfiltration from the USSR was a daring and dangerous endeavor. Codenamed OVATION during his debriefing in England, the former KGB officer provided incredibly detailed and top-secret information. What did Canada learn in the OVATION files, and what can we learn from them now?

The [Redacted] on Terrorism. What censors were deemed necessary when talking about Canada’s role in Afghanistan after September 11, 2001? How has that changed since 2011, and what does it mean for historians?

In World War II high-ranking Nazi POWs were held at Trent Park near London. Unbeknownst to them a psychological warfare operation was in effect. Recently released documents indicate that Canada supplied recreational materials, such as ping-pong balls to be used in these types of operations.

Intrepid’s man in Canada, Thomas Geoffrey Drew-Brook. More than 75 years after the events of the Second World War we now have access to an oral interview describing Canada’s role in the secret war. Find out why Drew-Brook said, “it had to be Canada.”

In 1957, the US government requested baggage investigatory powers at Canadian rail stations, but why? The plan was to utilize a “Mark II” radioactive detection device to identify attempts to smuggle radioactive materials into the US, however, Canadian officials were less than enthusiastic.

What did the British really think of Canada’s efforts during the Second World War? "Canada stood by us in the dark days..." or "a well-worn theme?"

If the nuclear apocalypse happened in the 60s what was the Canadian continuity of government plan? It started with a ride on the bus “RUSTIC”, only for specific personnel with valid, unbent, and laminated Government of Canada Identification. Exercise ARCADIA was a practice run, lunch not included.

“SECRET, CONFIDENTIAL, AND ALMOST IMPORTANT. TO BE DESTROYED BEFORE READING.” World War II Canada – US baseball games, and martinis for the baserunners! Check out the Substack for more of this bizarre exchange and a rare bit of Canadian military, political, and sports history in one place.

Shopping trips to Zellers, IMINT doodles, and deep undercover work. What were the Canadians doing in Cuba? When and how did Canadian officials find out about the Soviet missile sites that would lead to one of the tensest standoffs of the Cold War? All this, and more on Substack!

Between 1952–62, Canada’s role in NATO comes alive in an articulately annotated briefing book: jets over the Iron Curtain, Cold War planning, even sailors stealing bikes. #CanadaDeclassified #ColdWarHistory #NATOHistory

The secret envelopes of the Korean War reveal extensive USAF bombing runs over the Yalu, NATO–N. Korean logistics contrasts, and Acheson’s view of the war as “an absolute godsend” for implementing Truman administration Cold War policies. #CanadaDeclassified #ColdWarHistory #IntelligenceHistory

In WWII, British Security Coordination in Toronto recruited Yugoslav nationals for guerrilla warfare. Trained at Camp X, they parachuted into occupied Yugoslavia to aid Tito’s partisans. #CanadaDeclassified #WWIIHistory #CampX

Tactical Atomic Target Computer, 1957. Developed by Canada’s 2 Army Operational Research Team. An analog artifact from the nuclear era – fascinating insight into Cold War operational logic and Canada’s technical-military posture. #CanadaDeclassified #ColdWarHistory #MilitaryHistory

1950 Half a million Germans rallied in Berlin. On the surface? A call for unity. Reality? Soviet propaganda spectacle. Canadian officials watched from their side of the Brandenburg Gate – reports described Cold War concerns and increased tension. #CanadaDeclassified #ColdWarHistory #SpecialInterest

📞 The Prime Minister’s Gold Telephone — A Cold War hotline to Washington. Installed after the Cuban Missile Crisis, just as nuclear warhead sharing was finalized. #CanadaDeclassified #ColdWarHistory #SpecialInterest

When the #ColdWar came to #Algonquin Park

"1943, The Montreal Canadiens Invade California!" Get the full story at the Substack. #LesCanadiens #Habs #WWII #Allies #Hockey #Canada #Declassified #CanadianHistory #CanadaHistory #IntelligenceHistory #EspionageHistory #SpyHistory