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Second World War
Battle of the Atlantic  - U-Boats and Convoys

The struggle between German U-Boats (submarines) and Allied convoys was the core of the battle of the Atlantic. U-Boats sought to destroy Allied merchant vessels and warships, while Allied convoys sought to transport food, supplies, weapons, and personnel across the Atlantic.

John Doyle, HMCS Digby
John Doyle, HMCS Digby

John Doyle, from Osgoode, Ontario, served as a leading coder in the minesweeper HMCS Digby on escort duty on the east coast.

The demanding task of operating newly-built convoy escorts fell largely to volunteer sailors, like Doyle, from across Canada. After enlisting in Ottawa in 1942, and training in communications duties, Doyle served in Digby, a Bangor class minesweeper, from 1943 to 1945. Because the enemy laid few mines off the Canadian coast, minesweepers like Digby were used alongside corvettes and frigates to escort convoys. Doyle's ribbon for the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (right) includes a silver maple leaf indicating service outside of Canada.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19960051-008





Corvette Bridge
Cargo Ship in Convoy
On Escort Duty
HMCS Barrie
HMCS Chambly Model
HMCS Clayoquot , Bangor class Minesweeper
Model, HMCS Swansea
Merchant Aircraft Carrier (MAC) at Sea
"Taking a ?Green One'"
Fog
White Ensign, HMCS Arrowhead
Duffle Coat
John Doyle, HMCS Digby
Service Dress and Cap, Leading Seaman John Doyle
Corvette Mess Deck, His Majesty's Canadian Ship North Bay
U-190 Model
U-190's Crew, September 1942
U-889's Forward Torpedo Compartment
U-889 Running at Periscope Depth
The Sinking of the SS Winnipeg II
Torpedo Damage to HMCS Chebogue
HMCS Trillium Crowded with Survivors
Depth Charge Explosion
U-744 Being Boarded