War Games explores how wars have shaped the games people play at home and how gaming has been used to develop tactics and train for real world conflicts.

War games are as ancient, varied and complex as war itself.

Across centuries and around the world, military planners developed games to meet challenges and hone tactics. Many of the games we play at home, from chess to online multiplayer battles, have been shaped by contemporary and historic conflicts.

In this expansive introduction to wargaming, find out how games — from tabletop battlefields to digital simulations — have been used to train military personnel. Explore the connections between military conflicts and popular games. Hear thought-provoking perspectives from professional gamers, researchers, designers and veterans.

War is not a game. Yet war games offer insights into our relationship with real and virtual armed conflict.

On June 19, 1941, the Canadian Army created a special unit to document Canada’s role in the Second World War. The seventy-six still and motion photographers who made up the Canadian Army Film and Photo Unit ensured that the war would be told from a Canadian perspective. The unit was tasked with “providingminformational and inspirational material for the maintenance of public morale and the stimulation of recruiting” and keeping “Canada’s war efforts before…the world.”

The seventy-six photographers were recruited from all over Canada and covered every aspect of the war. However, one member of the unit deserves special attention  Sgt. Karen Hermiston, nicknamed ‘Hermie’ was the only female army photographer to serve overseas. After enlisting in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps in 1941, Hermie was “frequently told that there were some things a girl can’t do.” That would not stop her; she did them anyway.

During her time serving overseas, Hermie covered casualties flown back to Swindon, went inside operating rooms, photographed graves for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and flew all over Europe to document the activities for her fellow CWACs. The petite 5’2 photographer earned the respect of her male comrades and defied strongly held gender stereotypes.

On August 5, 2010, Captain Fielding’s Chinook helicopter was struck by enemy fire, in Panjwayi, Afghanistan, causing the fuel tank to explode and rendering the aircraft nearly inoperable.

With the helicopter in flames and the cockpit rapidly filling with smoke, Captain Fielding made the time-critical decision to land in enemy territory rather than fly to a friendly landing zone. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty allowed him to execute an emergency landing and then lead the evacuation of the burning aircraft. His actions no doubt saved the lives of his crew and passengers that day.

The Friends salute Captain William Fielding.

Awarded on: August 12, 2011
Invested on: January 26, 2012

Built at Sorel, QC, for the Royal Navy, HMCS BITTERSWEET was towed to Liverpool, NS for completion so as not to be icebound for several months. She was commissioned as HMS BITTERSWEET at Halifax, NS on 23 January 1941, and on 5 March left with convoy HX 113 for the Tyne in the UK. From 1 April to 6 June, the final work was completed and she was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 15 May 1941. After working up at Tobermory she left for Iceland on 27 June, having been assigned to Newfoundland Command.

On 15 May 1941, along with ten other Flower-Class Corvette’s, she was loaned to the Royal Canadian Navy and was assigned to the Newfoundland Escort Force (NEF) in June 1941. She served as an ocean escort until December of 1941. On 31 December 1941 she arrived at Charleston, SC, for a refit which included a fo’c’s’le extension. In March 1942 after resuming her duties she joined several escort groups as part of Mid-Ocean Escort Force and served with them until October 1943 before departing for another refit. Her last ocean convoy escort duty took place in October 1944.
After another refit, BITTERSWEET resumed her duties briefly with the Halifax Force before transferring to Sydney Force. She remained with Sydney Force for the remainder of the war.

From July 1941 to May 1945, BITTERSWEET performed escort duties in over 50 convoy’s. One of her most perilous convoy escorts was ONS 192 in which seven ships were lost. Returned to the Royal Navy after the war she was decommissioned in June 1945. 

Through our members generosity and efforts the Friends continue their support for the Canadian War Museum with a $100,000 donation. 

Through consultation with the museum and the Friends Board of Directors, the Friends contribution for fiscal year 2023-2024 will support the following projects:

Supply Line 
Artist-in-residence for the "Outside the Lines" exhibit. 
Parking for Veterans

The Friends look forward to seeing these initiatives come to fruition and contribute to the mission of the Canadian War Museum. 

Many thanks to you, our members and donors for your support.