Sunday, May 6: Battle of the Atlantic Day

A Canadian Navy news release:

The Battle of the Atlantic

The Battle of the Atlantic, the longest continuous military campaign of the Second World War, will be commemorated this Sunday, May 6, in ceremonies across Canada.

On the 3rd of September 1939, the "Athenia" was sunk off the coast of Northern Ireland. One week later, Canada was officially at war. From that day until the last of the German U-Boats surrendered after VE Day, in May 1945, the Allied navies and air forces could not for a moment relax their vigilance. Battle of the Atlantic Sunday commemorates the sacrifices of sailors, merchant seaman, RCAF and Canadian Army personnel who gave their lives in the North Atlantic. The Royal Canadian Navy gave to the struggle over 2000 dead and 24 warships. More than 900, RCAF and Canadian Army personnel were lost as well. The elements were often as vicious as the foe, with raging storms, pack ice, bitter cold, fog, and the dense blackness of North Atlantic nights. The RCN and the Merchant Navy made nearly 26,000 safe crossings, carrying over 181 million tons of supplies to Great Britain. Freedom was made secure.

And here is one from Maritime Forces Pacific.

And a detailed history of the Battle of the Atlantic (Veterans’ Affairs), plus more from Canada in WWII (Juno Beach Centre).

Update: A letter in the Toronto Star:

Police honour fallen heroes

May 7.

I respect our police and honour those who have lost their lives protecting us. But I also wish you had covered an important ceremony at the cenotaph at Old City Hall that same day. Our naval community gathered to observe the 62nd anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest battle of World War II. Thirty-two Canadian naval vessels, 2,024 personnel, 78 merchant ships, 1,466 merchant seamen and many RCAF crew were lost during this six-year battle.

Bob Willson, Toronto