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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.

Canadian Tribal Destroyers in Action
Canadian Tribal Destroyers in Action

Star-shells (upper left) illuminate friend and foe alike as Canadian and British ships battle German vessels escorting a convoy in the English Channel.

Tony Law's painting depicts the British cruiser HMS Bellona (left background) leading the Canadian Tribal-class destroyers HMCS Haida and HMCS Iroquois (foreground) into action against a German convoy off the French coast on 6 August 1944. The British destroyers HMS Ashanti and HMS Tartar also took part in this encounter, which destroyed seven enemy ships. The combat, characteristic of many destroyer actions in European waters, was part of Operation Kinetic, an air and sea offensive against German shipping.

Canadian Tribal Destroyers in Action
Painted by Tony Law in 1946
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19710261-4057





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