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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.

Corvette Bridge
Corvette Bridge

Donald Mackay's painting depicts the crowded open bridge of the Canadian corvette HMCS Galt, which spent much of the war escorting convoys of merchant ships.

Crew members perform a variety of duties, while a number of the convoy's merchant ships are visible in the background. Drawing on First World War experience, Allied nations established convoys following the outbreak of war in September 1939. Allied navies sought to protect them from attack by enemy forces, particularly German submarines (U-Boats), by gathering merchant ships into groups and escorting them with warships like Galt.

Corvette Bridge
Painted by Donald C. Mackay around 1944
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19710261-4211





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