Second World War
Battle of the Atlantic  - Weapons and Technology

Combatants in the battle of the Atlantic relied on weapons and technology to attack the enemy, to defend themselves, to communicate, and to rescue friends and foes.

"Squid Explosion", HMCS Copper Cliff

This photograph shows the mushroom-like cloud of spray raised by the explosion of squid mortar projectiles fired by HMCS Copper Cliff.

Copper Cliff's bows are visible on the right, and the Squid mortar that fired the projectiles would have been on the photographer's right-hand side, beyond the edge of the photograph. This image, from 1944 or 1945, comes from the album of Frank Leyland, who served in Copper Cliff. As with many attacks on targets believed to be submarines, the actual target and the results of this attack are unknown.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19900279-001_4