On the first Sunday in May Canadians all across the land celebrate the successful conclusion of this longest battle of World War II, which lasted from September 1939 to August 1945. It saw the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) grow from virtual obscurity to become the world’s third largest navy [having everything but battleships], while the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), a major participant, became the world’s fourth largest air force. No mean accomplishments for a country of less than 12 million people!

For more than two years 1942 Canada and Britain carried the load alone, but were joined in 1942 by the United States. The RCN lost 24 warships [mostly corvettes and frigates] and over 2,000 dead, but destroyed and helped destroy many of the 784 U-boats the Axis powers lost. More than 350 Canadian aircraft were downed and 900 RCAF and Canadian Army personnel also perished. Canada’s Merchant Navy lost 70 ships and over 1700 members. However, the RCN and Merchant Navy made nearly 26,000 safe crossings, bringing more than 181 million tons of supplies to Great Britain, thus assuring that victory in Europe would eventually belong to the Allies.

The pictures which follow give highlights of the commemoration in Canada’s capital, Ottawa.