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.

Landing Craft Assault Off Southern France

Alex Colville's painting depicts Canadian landing craft, probably from HMCS Prince David, transporting Allied troops to their landing beaches.

A maple leaf (centre right) identifies the troop-filled Landing Craft Assault (LCA) in the foreground as Canadian. Another LCA (centre), tows a rubber boat with additional troops (upper right). Prince David's landing craft transported French commandos to capture defences on the mainland, and were guided and escorted by American PT (patrol torpedo) boats like the one in the background. The landings took place in the early hours of the morning in an attempt to take German forces by surprise.

Landing Craft Assault Off Southern France
Painted by Alex Colville in 1944
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19710261-1679