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Second World War (1939-1945)
The Navy in European Waters  - Coastal Operations: United Kingdom and European Waters

The Royal Canadian Navy, employed on coastal patrols, convoy escort duty, and support operations, made an important contribution to the naval war that raged in the waters around the United Kingdom and off the nearby European coast.

Laying a Smokescreen, HMCS Swansea
Laying a Smokescreen, HMCS Swansea

Under fire from German coastal artillery, HMCS Swansea lays a smokescreen and sailors stand by their weapons.

On 22 August 1944, German guns opened fire on Canadian ships rescuing a downed aviator off the French coast, killing a sailor on HMCS Stormont. The ships, including Swansea, withdrew under the cover of smokescreens, created by injecting fuel oil directly into the smokestack (centre). This photograph also shows one of the frigate's Oerlikon guns (left) and the crew of the aft 4-inch gun (bottom).

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19840120-001_p12a





Depth Charge Attack on U-Boat
Rescuing German Survivors
German Prisoners, HMCS Swansea
Norris Jones's Diary, HMCS Swansea
Spent 4-inch Cartridge Casings, HMCS Swansea
Laying a Smokescreen, HMCS Swansea
Helmet, Able Seaman G.F. Brown, HMCS Assiniboine
Canadian Tribal Destroyers in Action
Action Aboard HMCS Iroquois
Stokers, HMCS Huron
Decorated Helmet, HMCS Huron
HMCS Athabaskan Model
Dumaresq Mark VIII
Loss of HMCS Athabaskan
HMCS Athabaskan Survivors in Captivity
Damage to HMCS Qu'appelle's Stern
Always the Same Enemy! 1673-1943, Fight Together with Us!
Amateur Strategists in the Channel
Lieut. Charles Anthony Law, R.C.N.V.R.
Artist's Box, Commander Charles Anthony Law
Motor Torpedo Boats in Dover Pens
Commander Charles Anthony Law Medal Set
Picking up Motor Torpedo Boat Survivors
Lieutenant John Shand's Sweater