Second World War (1939-1945)
The Navy in European Waters  - Coastal Operations: United Kingdom and European Waters

The Royal Canadian Navy, employed on coastal patrols, convoy escort duty, and support operations, made an important contribution to the naval war that raged in the waters around the United Kingdom and off the nearby European coast.

German Prisoners, HMCS Swansea

Standing on HMCS Swansea's deck, these prisoners of war from the recently destroyed German submarine U-448 wear warm clothing provided by the Red Cross.

While on board Swansea, the prisoners were housed in one of the ship's messes and permitted access to the deck for fresh air and recreation. They would not see their homeland again until September 1947, but can be counted among the few lucky U-Boat crews to have survived the war. Several days later, Swansea and HMCS Matane destroyed U-311, none of whose crew survived.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19840120-002_p9a