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Photos: Sudbury marks the 73th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic

Cadets, military, civilians march to commemorate the longest battleĀ 

Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps along with military personnel and Legion members marched today from Sudbury Armoury to Memorial Park in Sudbury to commemorate the 73th time the anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic has been recognized.*

Lasting the entirety of the Second World War, the Battle of the Atlantic is remembered as the most protracted continuous campaign of the war.  

The battle included naval blockades, pitting Allied ships and aircraft against the notorious German U-boats, planes and warships, that targeted ships carrying valuable arms, material and personnel across the ocean.

The Battle of the Atlantic was costly to Canada. The country's navy lost 1,797 sailors and 32 ships. At least 319 Canadian sailors were wounded.

Although costly, the battle showcased the prominence of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Merchant Navy. 

More than 26,000 merchant ship voyages were made during the 2,006 days of the war, and they provided more than 90,000 tonnes of war supplies a day to the battlefields of Europe.

Every year, the first Sunday in May celebrates and honours the sacrifices of sailors and merchant seamen who gave their lives for their country while valiantly defending the convoy routes of the North Atlantic during the Second World War.

As the sizeable civilian crowd gathered at Memorial Park today along with local services citizen ensured that the legacy of those who fought for our country with honour and dignity is not forgotten.

*Whether this is the 73rd anniversary or the 79th depends on who you speak with. Sudbury.com has heard from two navy lieutenants, one who said it was the 73rd (marked from the end of the conflict), the other said the 79th (from the start of the conflict). We've decided to defer to the Royal Canadian Navy, which marks the anniversary this year at 73 years.


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Gia Patil

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