which 15,055 (nearly the original strength of the entire Division) were fatal.[2] Twenty-four soldiers of the division were awarded the Victoria Cross. Second World War (1939–1945) The division was remobilized in September 1939, now designated as the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, before Canada's formal entrance into the Second World War, to be later joined by both the 2nd and 3rd Canadian Infantry Divisions. The division, under the command of Major General Andrew McNaughton, left Halifax from Pier 21 in two heavily escorted convoys, the first departing on December 10, three months after the declaration of war, and the second on December 22, 1939, with additional troops reaching England in February 1940. In 1941, the formation adopted the red rectangular battle patch insignia worn by the 1st Canadian Division in The Great War. All elements of the division were far from completely equipped on mobilization: of the artillery and machine guns on hand, most were obsolete, and the troops lacked steel helmets. Only gradually did a full complement of more modern weapons, equipment, and transport begin reaching the division in 1940. Nevertheless, in the wake of the disastrous Battle of France and the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) during the Dunkirk evacuation in May 1940, the 1st Canadian Division was ordered to France the following month. Among the infantry units that landed at Brest were The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), The 48th Highlanders of Canada and The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, all part of the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade. Members of the RCR were present in France at least until 16 June, after the French capital of Paris had fallen to German forces, and returned almost immediately after. The 48th's withdrawal was not without some excitement. The division returned to England for the defence of Great Britain in the case of a German invasion. Soon afterwards Major General McNaughton was promoted to command of the British VII Corps (later designated the Canadian Corps) and was succeeded by Major General George Pearkes. The division transferred to the Mediterranean theatre in June 1943 where the division, now under the command of Major General Guy Simonds after Major General Harry Salmon (who had taken command in September 1942) was killed in an air crash, took part in Operation Husky, code name for the Allied assault landing on Sicily on 10 July 1943, which ended after just 28 days. The division came