Maple Leaf Up, Maple Leaf Down, first published in in 1946, is an insightful look at the First Canadian Army and the Second World War in Europe, especially the history of Field Marshal Montgomery's 21st Army Group. The book focuses on the role of the Canadian Army infantry, from the arrival of a single division in England in December 1939, through the Dieppe raid, the Sicilian and Italian campaigns, and finally to V-E Day. Included are 7 pages of maps.
Author Captain Peter Simonds saw service in Europe from the Normandy campaign, through France, Belgium, Holland, and was in Germany until after the war ended. The title refers to World War II road signs posted in northwestern Europe marking the Maple Leaf Route, the supply line of the First Canadian Army: to move towards the front lines was termed "Maple Leaf Up," while returning trucks carrying the wounded to the rear followed "Maple Leaf Down" signs.
