The Battle of the Atlantic (1939 – 1945)
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest campaign and naval battle of the Second World War and the most important in terms of the keeping the supply lines open to Great Britian and Europe. This battle was very costly to Canada who played a major role in escorting Canadian and British Merchant Marine ships across the Atlantic as convoy escort.
The Battle of the Atlantic pitted U-boats and other warships of the Kriegsmarine (German navy) and aircraft of the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) against the Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Navy, and Allied merchant shipping. The convoys, coming mainly from North America and predominantly going to the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, were protected for the most part by the British and Canadian navies and air forces. These forces were aided by ships and aircraft of the United States from Sept 13, 1041.
On the Allied side were ships from Canada, United States, United Kingdom, France, Free France, Poland, Brazil, Netherlands, Norway and Belgium. On the Axis side were ships from Germany and Italy.
The Royal Canadian Navy escorted 25,000+ ships across the Atlantic.
BATTLE OF ATLANTIC LOSSES:
• Royal Canadian Navy - 24 warships ••••••••• 2,300 sailors
• Canadian Merchant Marine - 71 ships ••••• 2,200 men/women
• British Empire Merchant Marine - 3900+ ships •••••••••••• 30,000+ men/women
• Royal Canadian Air Force - 68 planes ••• 700 aircrew
• Royal Navy - 75 ships •••••••••••••••••••••••• 5,000+ sailors
Each year on the first Sunday in May, a Battle of the Atlantic memorial parade is held in communities across Canada to remember the Canadian Sailors and Merchant Marine Sailors who gave their lives in this Naval engagement.
This cache is a two stage multi starting at the posted coordinates. You will find a plaque dedicated to the everlasting memory of those stout hearts. During which annual reunion was this plaque placed? Add this number to both the north and west coordinate of the fictional coordinate below to find the final cache container.
N 43 53.254 W 78 50.726