The Navy: A Century in Art
The Navy's Wars

A long and distinguished combat record is central to the navy's history and traditions. An armed force in support of Canadian national interests, it continues to perform a wide variety of important roles, from war fighting and peace support operations, to disaster relief and search and rescue.

Landing Craft Assault off Southern France
Painted by Alex Colville in 1944

In the dead of night, Canadian landing craft, led by an American torpedo boat (background), carry French North African commandoes towards the Mediterranean coast.

Official Canadian war artist Alex Colville first sketched a series of preparatory evening exercises off Corsica, and then the actual landing at 0130 on 15 August 1944. Colville accompanied the assault wave to shore, and then returned to the command ship HMCS Prince David.

Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19710261-1679