Canada's Naval History

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Birth Of the Navy

First World War

Between the Wars

Second World War

Early Cold War

Later Cold War
- - From RCN to Maritime Command
  - A Changing Fleet

Navy Today
- - The Gulf War
  - Continuing Commitments

The Early Cold War
Rebuilding and Transformation

The Canadian navy's main Cold War mission was anti-submarine warfare, as it had been in the two world wars. It sought to build a force of ships, personnel, and facilities to fulfill this mission, as well as to pursue other national objectives like sovereignty protection.

Artifact Record

Twin 40mm Bofors Gun

The Royal Canadian Navy used 40 mm Bofors guns like this Canadian-manufactured example on a number of post-war ships.

Made and installed in a variety of models and mountings, the 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun was widely used during and after the Second World War. The Royal Canadian Navy used this type of gun and mounting on a variety of ships, including the wartime frigates rebuilt as Prestonian class ocean escorts in the 1950s. These particular guns and their mounting were manufactured in 1945.

Naval Gun, Twin 40mm Bofors Mk XI
CWM 19680076-001

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