War Plan Red: The American Plan to Invade Canada

Welcome to another episode of "Echoes of War," where Craig from the Pacific War Channel is joined by his co-host, Gaurav, to delve into a little-known chapter of North American history: the secret US plans to invade Canada during the 1920s and 1930s. This episode examines War Plan Red, a daring and controversial military strategy conceived at a time of diplomatic tension between the US and the UK.

In the 1930s, as tensions simmered post-World War I, the U.S. found itself devising an audacious strategy known as War Plan Red, aimed at invading Canada. The backdrop was marked by strained U.S.-British relations, exacerbated by Britain's $22 billion debt to the U.S. and its military supremacy. The U.S. military, adopting a color-coded approach to prepare for potential conflicts, believed a confrontation with Britain was plausible, prompting the creation of a specific plan for Canada.

Approved in 1930, War Plan Red envisioned a swift invasion following a series of strategic targets, with Halifax as a critical objective due to its significance as a naval base. To support the plan, extensive military exercises mobilized thousands of troops near the Canadian border. Intelligence efforts, including reconnaissance flights by aviator Charles Lindbergh, assessed Canada’s defenses and resources.

As American military planners executed war games, they predicted a prolonged conflict, but one that could potentially lead to Canada’s quick conquest. The plan spurred various invasions from multiple fronts, disrupting Canadian supply routes and military capabilities. Meanwhile, Canada crafted its own contingency plans, relying heavily on British support, ultimately acknowledging the challenge of defending against a powerful neighbor.

Despite the chilling prospects, War Plan Red faded into obscurity with the onset of World War II, replaced by new strategies yet secretly influencing U.S. military doctrine for decades. Its remnant echoes remind us of a precarious era that nearly reshaped North American borders.