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

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