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.

Laying a Smokescreen, HMCS Swansea

Under fire from German coastal artillery, HMCS Swansea lays a smokescreen and sailors stand by their weapons.

On 22 August 1944, German guns opened fire on Canadian ships rescuing a downed aviator off the French coast, killing a sailor on HMCS Stormont. The ships, including Swansea, withdrew under the cover of smokescreens, created by injecting fuel oil directly into the smokestack (centre). This photograph also shows one of the frigate's Oerlikon guns (left) and the crew of the aft 4-inch gun (bottom).

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19840120-001_p12a