Canada's Naval History

Second World War (1939-1945)
The Navy in European Waters - The Arctic Convoys and Scandinavia

Following the Soviet Union's entry into the war against Germany, the western Allies established convoys carrying much-needed supplies to Soviet Arctic ports, most notably Murmansk. Canadian ships participated in these convoys, and also visited Scandinavian countries in the wake of Germany's surrender.

Artifact Record

Men of Valor, They fight for you!

This Canadian wartime poster dramatically depicts the delivery of the Canadian icebreaker Montcalm to the Soviet Union.

A gift from the Canadian Government, the old icebreaker required three attempts to successfully reach Murmansk. Mechanical difficulties and suffocating smoke produced by the vessels' ancient coal-fired boilers caused two returns to Halifax. During the third delivery attempt, German aircraft attacked Montcalm's convoy. Captain F.S. Slocombe was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for getting the vessel through to Murmansk.

Propaganda Poster
CWM 19880069-838

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