The Second World War
War in the Pacific and South East Asia  - The Royal Canadian Navy and the Pacific Coast

The Royal Canadian Navy was active in operations along the Pacific coast from 1939 to 1945, patrolling British Columbia waters and helping to support the Allied war effort. West coast shipyards built ships for the navy and the merchant navy.

Soviet Merchant Ship

This photo shows the Krasnogvardeets, an American-built Liberty ship transferred to the Soviet Union as part of "Lend-Lease" aid.

Following Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, other Allied countries sent aid by a variety of routes, including across the North Pacific from ports on North America's west coast. The ship's prominent national markings of "USSR" (centre) indicate its Soviet ownership; for much of the war in the Pacific, the Soviet Union and Japan were not at war with each other, and this identification was intended to protect against Japanese attacks.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
20000207-008_p111