**** DND Media Release
Royal Canadian Navy Commemorates 78th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic
On May 7th, Canadians from coast to coast to coast, commemorated the Battle of the Atlantic’s 78th anniversary. The sacrifices of thousands of Canadians, who served and fought valiantly during the longest campaign of the Second World War, were remembered across the country.
This year’s events, aligned with the 100th anniversary of the Naval Reserve Centennial, acknowledged the critical contributions made by Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve citizen-sailors from 1939 to 1945.
Each year, on the first Sunday in May, the Canadian naval community honours those who perished at sea during the Battle of the Atlantic.
Local ceremonies and commemorative events were held in communities from around Canada. These included important public events at His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Haida in Hamilton, Ont., as well as events and in Quebec City, QC.
Quote
“The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest, and one of the most important, campaigns of the Second World War. It was won through the courage, determination, and strength of thousands of Canadians who served and fought – or built and supported the warships which did. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Naval Reserve, which totaled over 80% of the Royal Canadian Navy during this vital battle. Today, we remember them, alongside all those who fought and sacrificed at sea for our freedom.”
Vice Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy
Quick Facts
- The Battle of the Atlantic began on September 3rd, 1939, with the sinking of the SS Athenia by German submarine U-30. Allied forces fought for control of the North Atlantic Ocean to supply the war effort that lasted until 1945 – the longest campaign of the Second World War.
- The Royal Canadian Navy grew from a mere six destroyers and 3 500 personnel in 1939, to one of the largest navies in the world. By 1945, Canada’s naval forces comprised of 373 fighting ships, and more than one hundred thousand sailors.
- This campaign was fought largely by naval reservists, who served in small ships, built in Canada, and operating out of Canadian bases. The defence of North Atlantic trade, against the German submarine service, defined a naval role for Canada within a much larger alliance. After 1945, the RCN became one of the best anti-submarine navies in the world.
- Almost 7,000 women served their country in a wide variety of crucial naval roles during the War. Serving with the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Services, created in 1942, these Canadians undertook vital work in 39 important occupations, such as signalling, coding, and wireless telegraphy.
- Our sailors and airmen sank or shared in the destruction of 50 U-boats, while they escorted 25 000 merchant ships during the war. These crucial vessels of the merchant navy delivered more than 165 million tonnes of life and war-sustaining cargo to Europe.
- More than 400 merchant ships were built in Canadian shipyards. Canada produced over 3 000 landing craft and over 300 anti-submarine warships, among them 4 Tribal class destroyers.
- In 1943, Rear Admiral Leonard Murray was put in charge of the Allied Air and Naval forces in the Northwest Atlantic – the only Canadian to command an Allied theatre of conflict in either World War.
- During the Battle of the Atlantic, of the 175 Allied warships sunk, 24 were Canadian. 62 vessels, out of the 2 600 merchant ships lost during the campaign, were from Canada.
- More than 2 700 members Royal Canadian Navy, and 1 600 Canadian Merchant Navy sailors, died during the Battle.
