home
Explore History

Second World War
Battle of the Atlantic  - Weapons and Technology

Combatants in the battle of the Atlantic relied on weapons and technology to attack the enemy, to defend themselves, to communicate, and to rescue friends and foes.

Medium Frequency Direction Finding Loop
Medium Frequency Direction Finding Loop

This loop antenna formed part of the Medium Frequency Direction Finder equipment fitted to Canadian ships for navigational purposes.

The two loops of the antenna picked up radio transmissions from shore stations or navigational beacons, and allowed an operator to determine the direction from which they had come. Ships' crews could then use this information to help establish their own position. Some transmissions from ships and aircraft, both friendly and enemy, could also be detected. The loops of this antenna could be prominently seen on many Canadian warships during and after the Second World War.

Loop Antenna
CWM 19660074-012





4-inch Naval Gun and Mounting
.5-inch Vickers Mk III Heavy Machine-gun
"Pom-Pom" Anti-Aircraft Gun, HMCS Kamloops
Anti-Aircraft Gun and Crew in Action
Depth Charge and Thrower
Hedgehog Anti-submarine Projectile
Squid Anti-submarine Mortar
"Squid Explosion", HMCS Copper Cliff
ASDIC Hut
Protection
Medium Frequency Direction Finding Loop
Binnacle, HMCS Swansea
Gyroscopic Compass
Sextant
Taffrail Log
Wheel House
Fueling Mid Atlantic
German Signal Lamp
W/T Operator and Messenger
"Mae West" Life Belts, HMCS St. Laurent
Royal Canadian Navy Life Vest
Royal Canadian Navy Lifeboat Bailer
Lee-Enfield Line-throwing Rifle