Canada's Naval History

The Second World War
War in the Pacific and South East Asia - The Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and Hong Kong

During the Second World War in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, some Canadians and Canadian ships served with Britain's Royal Navy fighting against Japan. After helping Canadian soldiers reinforce Hong Kong in 1941, the Royal Canadian Navy returned in 1945 and helped repatriate Canadian prisoners of war.

Artifact Record

HMCS Uganda in Drydock, Esquimalt

When transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy in October 1944, the light cruiser HMCS Uganda was the most powerful vessel in the Canadian fleet.

Seen here in refit after the war, Uganda represented Canadian admirals' ambitions for a powerful post-war navy. Joining the British Pacific Fleet in April 1945, Uganda helped protect carriers against aircraft attack and bombarded Japanese shore positions. With the end of the war against Germany in May 1945, the crew, in keeping with Canadian government policy, were asked if they would volunteer to continue serving against Japan. For a variety of reasons the majority voted no, leading to Uganda's withdrawal from naval operations

HMCS Uganda in Drydock, Esquimalt,
Painted by Harold Beament
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19710261-1030