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The HMS Sault Ste. Marie, a parade and memorial

NEWS RELEASE THE NAVY LEAGUE OF CANADA SAULT STE. MARIE BRANCH ************************* The Battle of the Atlantic On September 3rd, 1939, the German Navy received a signal to open hostilities with England at once.
SooToday Staff
NEWS RELEASE
 
THE NAVY LEAGUE OF CANADA
SAULT STE. MARIE BRANCH
 
*************************
The Battle of the Atlantic
 
On September 3rd, 1939, the German Navy received a signal to open hostilities with England at once. 
 
Seven hours later, the passenger liner SS Athenia was sunk by submarine U-30. 
 
Thus began a running battle that lasted until the final day of the Second World War in the European theatre. 
 
Canada declared war against Germany on September 10th, 1939 and the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Merchant Navy joined the battle.
 
The Battle of the Atlantic pitted Allied naval and air forces against the notorious German submarine “wolf-packs”, whose prey were the convoys of merchant ships carrying valuable war material and personnel across the ocean. 
 
It was a bitter struggle. 
 
Although the Battle of the Atlantic was fought at sea, it touched the life of virtually every Canadian. 
 
Not only did men and women from across the country serve in the Navy, Air Force and Merchant Navy, but the overseas trade they were defending was vital to Canada. 
 
In order to preserve this critical trade and build up the supplies necessary for victory, it was essential that the convoys reach their destinations.
 
The Battle of the Atlantic ended with V-E Day on May 8th, 1945. 
 
During the long bitter struggle, the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force had participated in the escort of at least 200 million tons of shipping and had sunk 52 U-boats. 
 
The battle however, had been costly to Canada. Many Merchant ships and 24 Canadian warships were lost. 
 
Fatal casualties in the Merchant Navy amounted to over 1700, in the Navy to over 2000, and in the Air Force to more than 900.
 
Canadian ships and seamen, and the naval and air forces used for the defence of shipping, may well have made the most important of all Canadian contributions in the Second World War. 
 
The Battle of the Atlantic is thus an important element in the nation’s history and is remembered with respect in the Canadian navy, air force and merchant marine.
 
Let us remember …
HMCS FRASER
HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN
HMCS REGINA
HMCS BRAS D’OR
HMCS OTTAWA
HMCS ALBERNI
HMCS MARGAREE
HMCS LOUISBOURG
HMCS SKEENA
HMCS OTTER
HMCS WEYBURN
HMCS SHAWININGAN
HMCS LEVIS
HMCS ST CROIX
HMCS CLAYOQUOT
HMCS WINDFLOWER
HMCS CHEDABUCTO
HMCS TRENTONIAN
HMCS SPIKENARD
HMCS ATHABASKAN
HMCS GUYSBOROUGH
HMCS RACOON
HMCS VALLEYFIELD
HMCS ESQUIMALT
 
Canadian Merchant Ships Lost At Sea:
 
SS Canadian Cruiser, SS Lady Hawkins, MV Montrolite, SS Lady Drake, MV Victolite, SS Caribou, SS Rose Castle, SS Point Pleasant Park, SS Avondale Park
 
In memory of former Sea Cadets from Sault Ste. Marie killed in action:
 
World War II - R. Closs, R. Lutz, D. Davey, M. McDermott, N. Ferris, S. Patton, J. Tanner, W. Kasubeck, A. Hone, L. Chaput, R. McGivney, K. Evans, J. Parkinson, L. Hamel, J. Sachro, E. Jarvis, E. Cormier, R. Lang, L. Edwards, G. Pitcher, R. Grigg, R. Ramsay, J. Inch, R. Thomas
 
Korea - W. Burden
 
This year's Battle of the Atlantic Parade will be held on Sunday May 4, stepping off from the Sears parking lot at 1045, parading along Foster Drive to Clergue Park.
 
There we will have a service of remembrance commencing at 1100.
 
Upon completion of the ceremony, the veterans, cadets, Legion band, and other participants will be parading back along Foster Drive to the Sears parking lot. 
 
The public is invited to join us in remembering those Merchant Marine and Navy sailors, as well as other service men and women, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of freedom. 
 
*************************
(Photo provided shows Algerine class minesweeper HMCS Sault Ste. Marie, which served as part of the Western Escort Force during the Battle of the Atlantic)
 

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