HALIFAX – Ceremonies in Halifax, Quebec City and Ottawa on Sunday helped mark the 70th anniversary of the turning point of one of the most important struggles of Second World War.
Canada played a major role in the Battle of the Atlantic, which lasted virtually the entire length of the war.
In Halifax, families of veterans and dignitaries gathered on the deck of HMCS Sackville, a warship that was involved in the battle and is now a museum.
They looked on as the ashes of 21 Canadian veterans were committed to the sea outside Halifax Harbour.
Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney joined veterans and serving sailors of the Royal Canadian Navy in a ceremony in Quebec City and there was a wreath laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.
The Battle of the Atlantic was crucial to Allied victory because of the importance of keeping the sea lanes open to deliver food and war supplies to Great Britain.
Canada’s navy underwent a massive expansion to provide escort vessels to protect merchant ships against German submarines.
Then British prime minister Winston Churchill said the only thing that really scared him was the U-boat peril.
It wasn’t until 1943, 70 years ago, that Allied forces were able to start to turn the tide of the battle and master the U-boat threat.
“Canadians played a crucial role in defending the North Atlantic, which served as a lifeline for Allied Forces during the Second World War,” said Blaney in a news release. “Thousands of Canadians served in the Battle of the Atlantic, many giving their lives. They must not be forgotten.”
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