Today marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Atlantic – a fight against the German forces for control of the Atlantic Ocean.
During the course of the second world war, St. John’s became one of the most important bases developed by the Royal Canadian Navy – second to Halifax.
On Battle of the Atlantic Sunday our 75th anniversary year of victory in the Atlantic, we recognize the service of our veterans, their families, & the sacrifice of the many shipmates who never returned home.#BOA75 #CanadaRemembers #RCNRemembers pic.twitter.com/9W1SheQqZn
— Royal Canadian Navy (@RoyalCanNavy) May 3, 2020
According to Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador, U-boats had sunk almost 2 million tons of Allied shipping in the Battle of Atlantic and the navy based out of Halifax could only provide coverage for convoys as far as the Grand Banks.
By establishing a base in St. John’s, the navy could extend their coverage for more than 900 kilometres further into the Atlantic, forming the Newfoundland Escort Force in 1941.
St. John’s was also a safe haven for survivors from many torpedoed and storm-wrecked ships. Heritage NL says upwards to 6,000 survivors were cared for in St. John’s between 1939 and 1944.
A ceremony to commemorate Canada’s involvement in the Battle of Atlantic took place Sunday morning aboard a Navy Ship off the coast of Point Pleasant Park in Nova Scotia.