‘Sign of respect.’ Windsor remembers Battle of the Atlantic sacrifices

Article content

Thirty-four tolls of the naval monument bell echoed through Windsor’s Dieppe Gardens, honouring each Royal Canadian Navy vessel sunk during the Battle of the Atlantic eight decades ago.

Article content

Unrelenting rain fell Sunday afternoon as hundreds of civilians, servicemen and servicewomen commemorated the 80th anniversary of the conclusion to the longest continuous campaign of the Second World War, in which more than 4,600 Canadians perished at sea.

Article content

“Today was quite fitting with the rainy weather,” said Lt.-Cmdr. Kai Imai, commanding officer of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class submarine department.

“It was a lot of hardship for the people here, but nothing in comparison to what was faced by the Canadians that went and risked their lives sailing on the Atlantic.

“It’s a sign of respect for those who serve, the veterans who are in attendance today, along with a point of pride for those currently serving, allowing them to see in full effect the meaning and deep history that we share as an organization.”

The 2,075-day battle lasting from 1939 to 1945 was an Allied struggle to control the North Atlantic Ocean shipping routes between North America and Europe.

German U-boats prowled the waters, targeting Allied ships transporting vitally needed military supplies, troops and food.

The conflict also arrived in Canadian waters, with 23 ships sunk in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and St. Lawrence River.

Article content

Allied naval and air forces fought more than 100 convoy battles against the submarines and warships of the German and Italian navies.

“Canada played a major role in that,” said Imai.

“Canadians often took the lead at the head of these convoys, searching for U-boat threats, neutralizing them and, oftentimes, having to sacrifice their own lives, their own ships in order to accomplish this.”

What began as a modest Canadian force at the outset of the war grew into the world’s third-largest navy by 1945.

The Royal Canadian Navy expanded from just six destroyers and 3,500 personnel to 373 fighting ships and nearly 100,000 sailors, becoming a global leader in anti-submarine warfare.

The Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence released a statement Sunday recognizing the sacrifices made by sailors during the Battle of the Atlantic.

Family members of those who served during the Battle of the Atlantic were also present Sunday.

Members of Windsor’s HMCS Hunter Naval Reserve and the 364 Lancaster Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron stood on parade as the Navy’s marching band performed O Canada, and later, God Save The Queen.

“The support we’ve had both from the members of HMCS Hunter, the Royal Canadian Association, the Windsor regiment and the city itself has been nothing short of phenomenal,” said Imai.

“We’re deeply appreciative and hope to continue this relationship long into the future.”

[email protected]

Share this article in your social network