What Would A Modern Day Defence Scheme No. 1 Look Like?

But seriously...

I would deploy the regular combat units in Canada's major cities, with orders to engage in house-to-house fighting for as long as they can, inflicting as many casualties on the Americans as possible.

I would disperse the Air Force to remote and concealed airbases, with orders to attack targets of opportunity for as long as they can survive.

I would order any available submarines and other warships to attack American cargo ships for as long as possible, avoiding American warships at all costs.

I would order all reserve units, law enforcement units, and all arme citizens to carry on guerrilla warfare as long as there is a Yankee north of the border.

That is still doomed to fail within.. 1-2 years, max.
 
That is still doomed to fail within.. 1-2 years, max.

but with Europe, China, India, and probably even Russia on our sides?:p

because, unless canada has gone fascist, a good chunk of the 1st world nations and many of the 2nd and 3rd world nations as well would back us up. and despite the US's power, could the US of A stand up to most of the worlds powers for a long time? or would they deem it too risky and call off the attack?
 
but with Europe, China, India, and probably even Russia on our sides?:p

because, unless canada has gone fascist, a good chunk of the 1st world nations and many of the 2nd and 3rd world nations as well would back us up. and despite the US's power, could the US of A stand up to most of the worlds powers for a long time? or would they deem it too risky and call off the attack?

In that case we are looking at the end of the world.

Ever heard of a nation with a panic button? :p

But seriously, you would be looking in the case of the US navy being able to pretty much keep most of what is coming away, so the only alternative is...

NuclearBomb.jpg




Yea...
 
Friendly Invasion?

I wonder about the posibility of there being plans for a "friendly invasion" to save certain US states/regions in the event of another, more realistic, invasion (something similar to Operation Rädda Danmark planed by the Swedes to keep Denmark from the Soviets if they got to close, or even something like the Russian actions in Kosovo). Personally I'd be happy to see a Canadian division flying down the Hudson to prevent New England from falling into a combined Chinese/Mexican force.

Also, what do you think Canada would do if asked to intervene in a new US civil war? (either regional North/South or East/West, or even generalized rebellion).
 
surrender, draft state constitutions and ask for admission to the Union, and then cackle manically as the U.S. is forced to adopt universal single-payer healthcare, public financing for all electoral campaigns, and steep cuts in military spending.



as a howling liberal Yank, I would count this as a win.

it'd be fun watching the jerks who pushed the invasion of Canada ripping their hair out over the "poison pill" result.
 
but with Europe, China, India, and probably even Russia on our sides?:p

because, unless canada has gone fascist, a good chunk of the 1st world nations and many of the 2nd and 3rd world nations as well would back us up. and despite the US's power, could the US of A stand up to most of the worlds powers for a long time? or would they deem it too risky and call off the attack?



Canada would have to liquidate the Inuit and render them into Pina Coladas to make world opinion favor an invading USA over them.
 
As we all know, nations often have emergency war plans to fight wars that will probably never happen, but are made just in case. One example in the 1920s was Defence Scheme No. 1, which detailed Canada's defense plans in case of an attack by the U.S. What would a modern day Defence Scheme No. 1 look like?

I highly doubt the Canadians currently have a plan that calls for a pre emptive strike against the current US military. This may have made sense in the 1920's but I can't see how such an attack would buy Canada anything in today’s world.

I would be surprised if they don't have a plan that involves using their military and police to try and defend their border with the USA. (ie, if there is some form of breakdown of law and order in the US, I can see the Canadians trying to keep bands of armed Americans out of Canada.) In the event of an attack by the US I would expect the Canadians would at least attempt to carry out their plans and the bulk of their military would likely go down fighting against the US.

I also don’t see the US launching an un provoked attack against the Canadians ending well for the US. While they could likely occupy most of Canada with out to much trouble such an attack is going to have the rest of the world pondering their response when the US comes knocking on their door. If the US is prepared to launch an un provoked attack against one of their closest allies, then I would expect other countries to be very nervous about the long term intentions of the US.

I would expect the rest of the world to start forming an anti US alliance and I would also expect any nation with the ability to make their own nuclear weapons to start doing so. In the long run the US is likely to be taken down one way or another.

A prompt nuclear strike against the USA by one of the existing nuclear powers is not out of the question in my mind either.
 
I would expect the rest of the world to start forming an anti US alliance...

Combined with a large number of citizens of the US as well.

The only possible way to make a US Invasion of Canada have popular support is that Inuit thing someone posted above.
 
This is a ridiculous thread. As a holder of dual US-Canadian citizenship, I find it particularly baffling, even as a thought exercise.

So of course, I'll contribute.

Both the Canadian and US military establishments are built and deployed around the idea of the countries being allies - and not just allies, but very close allies. Ever heard of NAFTA?

The build up to any kind of armed conflict between the two would take decades, and a fundemental realignment of the internal politics of BOTH countries. Such a series of event would result in a complete redevelopment and redeployment of both countries' militaries such that any conversation we might have now is moot.

The only scenario (post WWII) that I've read that was even REMOTELY plausible was a Quebec bid for independence that goes very violent, and the US Army moves in to protect the St Lawrence seaway.

Canada has 1/10 the population of the United States, and an indefensible, 4000+-KM border. It will do all it can to avoid a war it can not win.

Mike Turcotte
 
But seriously...

I would deploy the regular combat units in Canada's major cities, with orders to engage in house-to-house fighting for as long as they can, inflicting as many casualties on the Americans as possible.

I would disperse the Air Force to remote and concealed airbases, with orders to attack targets of opportunity for as long as they can survive.

I would order any available submarines and other warships to attack American cargo ships for as long as possible, avoiding American warships at all costs.

I would order all reserve units, law enforcement units, and all arme citizens to carry on guerrilla warfare as long as there is a Yankee north of the border.

I would highly doubt the Canadian government would sanction armed resistance by non combatants unless the US were engaging in Genocide or something similarly awful.

I would expect what resistance was offered by the Canadians would be conducted in accordance with the Canadian interpretation of the customary laws of war. The Canadians would have little to gain and lots to loose by violating the laws of war if the US were to invade.
 
Too many unknown factors

This really would depend on why, and when, and what state both sides were in at the time. As to why, the only reasons I can think of are:

  • A religious-right quasi-coup in the USA (but that would take time and could be parried)
  • Seriously transgressive behaviour on Canada's part, most likely concerning the Northwest Passage (but that too would have to involve many years of change in the relative balance of power)
I know that enough members of the Canadian military, as individuals or small units, would not be giving up, no matter what they were ordered to do or the disposition of forces.

I also know that many members of the US military (more than you might think) would not be very willing to do their best in such a scenario - cross-participation between the two militaries is frequent and friendly at all levels.

Even in a reverse scenario these same caveats would apply.

No one would threaten America with nukes over an invasion of Canada - the risk:return ratio isn't favourable. But they would definitely be arming themselves heavily over the medium term - a new Cold War anyone.

I might finally point out that the US infrastructure may be less vulnerable to terrorism of late - but is still very vulnerable to tactical strikes, special operations, and covert operations. All of which are well within the current capabilities of the Canadian Forces, especially in the past couple of years. That's a two-way street but who could rough it without utilities better for a span do you think :)?
 
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