Canada's Naval History

Second World War
Battle of the Atlantic - U-Boats and Convoys

The struggle between German U-Boats (submarines) and Allied convoys was the core of the battle of the Atlantic. U-Boats sought to destroy Allied merchant vessels and warships, while Allied convoys sought to transport food, supplies, weapons, and personnel across the Atlantic.

Artifact Record

U-190 Model

This model of U-190 represents a late-war version of the Type IX U-Boat (submarine), one of the two main types the German navy used in the battle of the Atlantic.

The Type IX and the smaller, shorter-ranged Type VII were the major threats to Allied shipping. Forward- and rearward-firing torpedo tubes (left and right) were the submarine's primary weapons. Anti-aircraft guns (centre right) were a response to Allied aircraft. U-190 sank the minesweeper HMCS Esquimalt near Halifax on 16 April 1945, with the loss of 44 of Esquimalt's crew, and surrendered to Canadian forces in May 1945.

Model Submarine, Type IX U-Boat
CWM 19720073-001

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