Sacrifices, Challenges and Overcoming huge odds define Canadas Legacy 70 years ago. Allied victory in the Second World War would not have been possible without winning the Battle of Atlantic. Great Britains survival and the conduct of the war in Europe were almost entirely dependent on the supply of raw materials, equipment and food from North America. Canada, with a population of barely 11 million, limited industry and minimal armed forces in 1939, quickly mobilized, and along with the neighboring colony of Newfoundland rose to the challenge. Canadians volunteered for active service, building more than 1,200 naval and merchant ships, and crewing Royal Canadian Navy ships to escort and defend the convoys against submarine attack. The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest and most decisive battle of the Second World War, and winning it at sea came at a high price with the loss of 24 Canadian naval and 72 merchant ships, numerous maritime patrol aircraft and over 5,000 members of the RCN, RCAF and Merchant Navy. 2,024 Royal Canadian Navy sailors died during the Battle of the Atlantic. 752 Royal Canadian Air Force personnel died during the Battle of the Atlantic. More than 1,600 Merchant Navy sailors died during the Battle of the Atlantic. There were also civilian casualties. On October 14, 1942, 136 people died when the ferry SS Caribou was sunk as it crossed from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland. LEST WE FORGET
Posted on: Thu, 01 May 2014 01:56:19 +0000
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