Canada's Naval History

Second World War (1939-1945)
The Navy in European Waters - D-Day and the Normandy Landings

Over 100 Canadian warships and some 10,000 Canadian sailors supported D-Day, the 6 June 1944 landings in Normandy. Canadian ships and sailors helped protect the invasion fleet, cleared German minefields, and ferried Allied troops across the Channel.

The Crew of LCI(L) 135

Canadian landing craft at D-Day were operated by relatively small crews of around 20 sailors.

In this photograph, many of the crew of LCI(L) 135 pose aboard their landing craft. The sailors are wearing white gunshirts, while a petty officer (back row, right) wears a cap and jacket. One of the sailors (front row, second from left) holds a rabbit mascot on his shoulder. The crew of 135 have christened their craft "Lonesome Polecat", painting the name on the ship's bridge, along with a maple leaf (background). Many other Canadian landing craft received similar nicknames and artwork.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19990143-004