The goal of these attacks was to weaken Great Britain by preventing the civilian population and the military from receiving the goods they needed to survive. Over a period of just two years, German submarines torpedoed some twenty ships in the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River.
As soon as the torpedoing began, Canadian authorities were forced to provide better protection at the mouth of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Throughout the war, the Canadian military presence in Gaspé and the lower St. Lawrence River increased.
The landscape was quickly changed by the establishment of military facilities to provide coastal defence and surveillance, to escort convoys, and to train and drill soldiers. More specifically, the military Read More
The goal of these attacks was to weaken Great Britain by preventing the civilian population and the military from receiving the goods they needed to survive. Over a period of just two years, German submarines torpedoed some twenty ships in the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River.
As soon as the torpedoing began, Canadian authorities were forced to provide better protection at the mouth of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Throughout the war, the Canadian military presence in Gaspé and the lower St. Lawrence River increased.
The landscape was quickly changed by the establishment of military facilities to provide coastal defence and surveillance, to escort convoys, and to train and drill soldiers. More specifically, the military presence led to the development of a naval base in Gaspé, the construction of coastal batteries all along the shores of the St. Lawrence, a military airport at Mont-Joli, and coastal surveillance stations along the Gaspé Peninsula and the lower St. Lawrence River, not to mention many other facilities on the North Shore and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Although Canada was never directly attacked, daring military operations were conducted on Canadian territory. The Germans landed at least two spies in Canada, set up an automated weather station, and even attempted to rescue a German officer who had escaped from a Canadian prisoner of war camp. In addition to the Canadian merchant vessels that were torpedoed, the navy also lost three warships: HMCS Raccoon, HMCS Charlottetown and HMCS Bras d’Or. Many young sailors died.
-Reid Marcil, Eileen. Au rythme des marées : l’histoire des chantiers maritimes Davie. Toronto, McClelland & Stewart Inc., 1997. 603 p.
-Sarty, Roger. Le Canada et la Bataille de l’Atlantique. Montréal, Art Global, 1998, 174 p.
- Wilson, Garth. A history of shipbuilding and naval architecture in Canada. Ottawa, National Museum of Science and Technology, 1994, 93 p.
Coll. : Transformation Series, 4.
© 2002, CHIN. All Rights Reserved.
Map showing ships torpedoed in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River (1942-1945).
Based on maps of “Canada and the Battle of the Atlantic”.
© Based on maps of Canada and the Battle of the Atlantic.
One of the buoys from which was hung the anti-submarine net in the bay of Gaspé during the Second World War.
Richard Chouinard collection
© Richard Chouinard collection
This forward section of a torpedo, recovered in 1978 off the course of Méchins, was destroyed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at Rivière-au-Renard in Gaspé.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police collection.
© Royal Canadian Mounted Police collection.
This three-storey observation tower located at the entrance to the Sainte-Flavie near Mont-Joli, was used for surveillance of range exercises by trainee flyers attached to the 9th Bombing and Gunnery School at Mont-Joli.
Photograph: Musée naval de Québec.
© Musée naval de Québec.
Learning Objectives
The learner will:- Develop an understanding of the participation and role of Canadians in the World War II.
- Examine the contributions, sacrifices and experiences of individuals who participated on the home front during World War II.
- Identify key locations in which Canada’s military operated during World War II.
