Second World War (1939-1945)
The Navy in European Waters  - Mediterranean Operations

Canadian ships and naval personnel took part in operations in the Mediterranean Sea. These included convoy escort work, raids and amphibious landings in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and the south of France.

Gun Crew, HMCS Prince Robert

A gun crew aboard HMCS Prince Robert operates one of the ship's twin 4-inch anti-aircraft guns.

Sailors carry ammunition (left) and load the guns (centre). In the foreground, others use a machine that sets the fuzes on the shells to explode at the proper time. On 21 November 1943, Prince Robert arrived just in time to reinforce a convoy under attack by 25 German aircraft armed with remote-controlled glider bombs. Heavy anti-aircraft fire, especially from Prince Robert, destroyed two enemy aircraft and disrupted the large-scale attack, limiting Allied losses to one merchant ship sunk and one badly damaged.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19930012-072