On the Way! is about Lethbridge, Alberta and the role its citizens had in two world wars. In its chapters and appendices you will find a wealth of information about the remarkable military history of what was then, and still is today, a small Canadian city. It is a remarkable military history simply because of the width and breadth of military-related activities that occurred in Lethbridge and its surrounding communities from 1914 to 1945. Indeed, this book will tell the story of how the citizens of Lethbridge were introduced to the world because of war and how, in-turn, the war brought the world to Lethbridge's doorstep. In addition, and for the first time, this book will reveal and discuss the Canadian government's attempts to de-Nazify and democratise German prisoners of war held in Lethbridge and Canada during the Second World War. Books, like this one, are in fact quite rare, as very few Canadian cities have had their complete military histories, or major portions, documented in a single book. In addition, there are only a small number of books about German prisoners of war held in Canada during the Second World War and none that discuss how the Canadian government attempted to re-educate these prisoners before sending them back home at the end of the war. This book deals fully with this issue and the many efforts undertaken by the Canadian government to de-Nazify and democratise German prisoners of war held in Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and elsewhere in Canada. This was no simple undertaking, as some 60 years ago, Canada became the temporary home to almost 34,000 German prisoners of war, and the two largest prisoner of war camps in Canada were located in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, Alberta. Finally, it is hoped this book will do justice to those from Lethbridge who served their country, so many years ago, and that it will provide inspiration for those who live in Lethbridge, and throughout Canada, today.
