If you look at any ship in the Royal Canadian Navy today, you will see a bright red Maple Leaf proudly displayed on the funnel or helicopter hangar. This has become a unique tradition in the RCN and can be traced back to 1918 when several RCN Drifters (CD Class) used for minesweeping had placed […]
The Sacrifice of SS Beaverford “The Heroic Saga of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s Ship with Teeth.”
Many will know the celebrated legacy of the Royal Navy’s armed merchant cruiser HMS JERVIS BAY and her final moments as she battled the German pocket battleship ADMIRAL SCHEER protecting her North Atlantic convoy, HX-84 on 5 November 1940. The battle for the convoy did not end with the loss of JERVIS BAY. The Canadian […]
Guest Speaker -Toronto Branch of the Naval Association of Canada
I am honoured to be invited as the Guest Speaker by the Toronto Branch of the Naval Association of Canada for their annual TRAFALGAR Day – NIOBE Luncheon. My talk will be “Voices of our Sailors Past -Stories from the Survivors of HMCS TRENTONIAN.” This is a collection of stories and recollections from the men that […]
Jackspeak of the Royal Canadian Navy -Book Review
Ever hear the phrase, “They talk like a sailor.” A sailor has their own language and “cursing like a sailor” is not the banter that we have come to stereotype with this old and noble profession. Through time and tradition these brave souls who go down to the sea in ships have developed a colourful […]
HMCS SACKVILLE -Modernizing a WWII Corvette
In 2018, HMCS SACKVILLE entered the submarine maintenance shed at Fleet Maintenance Facility, CAPE SCOTT at HMC Dockyard in Halifax for badly needed repairs to her hull. This might not seem to be exciting on the surface, but when you realize SACKVILLE is a Second World War veteran of the Battle of the Atlantic and […]
HMCS GOOSE BAY
HMCS GOOSE BAY alongside in HMC Dockyard in Halifax on 6 March 2018. Photo taken from MV ASTERIX. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. RTL66244)
RCAF Submarine Attacks Battle Of Atlantic during WWII
Royal Canadian Air Force attacks Against Submarines during WWII -Battle of Atlantic 1939-1945 Compiled by Roger Litwiller © Date U-Boat Sqn/Base/AC/Pilot/ Latitude/Longitude Details 31 Jul 1942 U754 Sunk 113 Squadron RCAF Yarmouth, NS Hudson BW 625 S/L N.E. Small 4302N 6425W South East of Cape Sable. 1st successful attack by Eastern Air Command. 30 Oct […]
Royal Navy Submariner
Unknown Royal Navy submariner, in St. John’s, NF in 1942-43. Submarine may be one of the Royal Navy practice subs on loan to the RCN for training escorts ships in anti-submarine warfare. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Ross Milligan, RCNR. (RTL-REM096)
Canadian & Newfoundland Merchant Navy Losses “Battle Of Atlantic in WWII
Canadian & Newfoundland Merchant Navy Losses “Battle Of Atlantic in WWII 1939 to 1945 By: Roger Litwiller © 1939 26 August 1939 -Admiralty signals FUNNEL to Commonwealth & British navies. Commonwealth merchant ships placed under naval control. 3 September 1939 -England & France declare war on Germany. Within two hours U30 torpedoes & sinks SS Athenia sailing from the […]
Royal Canadian Navy -Victory’s/Losses Battle of Atlantic in World War II
RCN Victory’s/Losses Battle Of Atlantic in WWII 1939 to 1945 By: Roger Litwiller © 1939 26 August 1939 -Admiralty signals FUNNEL to Commonwealth & British navies. Commonwealth merchant ships placed under naval control. 31 August 1939 -HMCShips FRASER & ST. LAURENT ordered “With Dispatch” from Esquimalt to Halifax. Arrive in time to escort first convoy WWII from […]