Preface

The Pacific War, also known as "The War against Japan" during the Second World War, was waged throughout the Far East and the Pacific in regions as diverse as the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Australia, the mid-Pacific, and the North American coastline.In recent times, however, it has sometimes been called "the forgotten war." One military museum I visited not long ago used that very expression in its information card on the conflict.It is difficult to imagine that anyone could ever forget a conflict that claimed millions of lives, ended in nuclear attacks, and gave rise to several new political regimes in the Far East.The Pacific War transformed the conflict that the Allies first faced in 1939.It created conditions that led to the formation of the Grand Alliance between the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Soviet Union, and a host of other "United Nations." It led to the destruction of the Japanese Empire.It was instrumental in America's rise as a global power.Most certainly, the Pacific War and its origins are worthy of study.If the Pacific War is fading from memory, then Canada's participation in that conflict is likely altogether forgotten in some quarters.Canada is not usually seen as a Pacific power, and yet it collected Pacific intelligence for the Allies, immediately declared war on Japan when hostilities broke out, sacrificed many men in the defence of Hong Kong, participated in Allied campaigns against Japan in the Far East, and interned the entire Japanese Canadian community.For these reasons, the Pacific War is an important part of Canadian history.This study of Canada and the Far East crisis in 1941 originated with several questions that I had about Canadian intelligence operations in the Pacific, Canada's role as Britain's senior ally, its relations with Japan, and its treatment of the Japanese Canadian community.Having completed several studies on pre-Pearl Harbor intelligence, with a particular emphasis on the Anglo-American dimension, I wanted to know more about Canadian intelligence and strategy during the Far East crisis.This book attempts to show how Canada became involved in the Pacific War.It looks closely at how Canada formed its Far East policies with respect to domestic issues.It also examines Canada's role within the British Commonwealth and within the Anglo-American alliance that emerged in 1941.

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