Originally posted by midnight Target
Maybe we could do something similar to the Canadian system in WW2. All were subject to conscription, but only volunteers were sent to the front.
From what I recall, it was more like, our allies were ticked that we weren't conscripting. So Mackenzie-King, said fine, we are passing a conscription act. He passed the act and then didn't bother conscripting anyone.
Edit: More info:
April 27
In Canada, a national vote is taken on the subject of conscription of soldiers for overseas duty. The response is 64% in favour of conscription, though in Québec 76% vote against. The Prime Minister decides that to keep Canada united, he would postpone conscription as long as possible.
May 7
In Canada, the Prime Minister recommends to Cabinet that the National Resources Mobilization Act be amended, to allow conscription for overseas war duty.
July 7
In Canada, Bill 80 passes second reading in Parliament, giving government power to conscript soldiers for war duty overseas.
"King moved slowly, stating his policy in a clever, even elusive phrase 'Not necessarily conscription but conscription if necessary.'"
Edit: Edit:
Opps, I was wrong.
"By the fall of 1944, it became clear that the Canadian Army needed infantry reinforcements that would be created only if the government invoke conscription for overseas service. King delayed as long as he could and finally agreed that conscription had become necessary. Slightly more than 12,000 conscripts were sent overseas before the war came to an end. "
