Naval community gathers nation-wide for Battle of the Atlantic anniversary

By The Canadian Press

Members of Canada’s naval community gathered across the country Sunday to commemorate the 71st anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Atlantic.

It was the longest continuous battle in the Second World War — spanning 2,075 days from 1939 to 1945 — and is remembered each year on the first Sunday of May.

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil marked the anniversary in Halifax, saying the lengthy battle marked a critical turning point in the war.

“I am honoured on behalf of all Nova Scotians to extend my sincere appreciation to our veterans for victory in one of the defining conflicts of the Second World War,” he said in a statement.

About 2,210 Canadians died in the battle to keep the sea lanes to Great Britain open in the face of attacks on merchant vessels by German submarines.

Ceremonies were planned at naval divisions in all of the provinces, along with a national ceremony on Parliament Hill.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, a church service was held in St. john’s, followed by a parade to the National War Memorial for a wreath laying ceremony.

The Naval Association of Canada held a gala dinner at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa on Thursday to mark the occasion.

(VOCM)

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