The Battle of the Atlantic

The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest and most significant campaign of World War II. Britain urgently needed supplies to feed its citizens and build its forces. Germany was determined to sink ships using their U-boats (submarines). Throughout the war, eliminating this threat was a priority for the Allies.

Canadians serving in the Merchant Navy, Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) bore the heavy burden in the struggle to defend the convoys of ships travelling from North America to supply Great Britain after Germany occupied Europe.

The RCAF established a Western and Eastern Air Command to provide home air defence of its coasts and waterways. From its bases in Canada, the RCAF's Eastern Air Command was responsible for air operations over the St. Lawrence and the Atlantic, and its squadrons played a critical role in anti-submarine operations during the Battle of the Atlantic. 

RCAF Eastern Air Command was also responsible for several RAF and BCATP Service Flying Training (SFTS), Air Observer (AOS), Bombing and Gunnery (BGS), General Reconnaissance (GRS), Naval Aerial Gunnery (NAGS), Air Navigation (ANS), and Operational Training Units (OTU).

The Royal Air Force's (RAF) Coastal Command patrolled the Western Atlantic along with seven Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) squadrons under their command. Approximately 2,000 BCATP graduates served in these squadrons. 

Over the duration of the battle, command structure, strategic priorities, the aircraft, weapons, technology, and tactics employed in the fight against the U-boats changed repeatedly and rapidly. The weather further challenged Canadians. Air crew had to contend with seasonal fog and ice as they coax their underpowered, poorly equipped aircraft to the limits of their performance, knowing that the prevailing westerly winds could make their homeward flights a hazardous part of their mission. Suitable aircraft only became available by 1944

By the end of the war, the RCAF was credited with sinking 19 German U-boats. Coastal Command, which included numerous RCAF crew members, accounted for more than 200 U-boat kills. Coastal Command Squadrons went on to take part in air battles on other fronts. 

The most important achievement of the war in the Atlantic was the more than 25,000 merchant ship voyages made from North American to British ports under the escort of Canadian forces. These vessels delivered approximately 165 million tonnes of cargo to sustain the United Kingdom and made possible the liberation of Europe. In the process, Canadian warships and aircraft sank, or shared in the destruction of some 50 U-boats. 

Seven hundred fifty-two members of the RCAF died in maritime operations as a result of enemy action and flying accidents in the unforgiving environment during the Battle of the Atlantic.