Premier Reflects on the 73rd Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic

Nova Scotia marks the 73rd Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, which ran from 1939 to 1945, today May 1.

"Nova Scotia joins with the Canadian Armed Forces and the naval community in commemorating those thousands of Canadians who fought so bravely during the Battle of the Atlantic," said Premier Stephen McNeil, Minister responsible for Military Relations. "Each year on the first Sunday in May, Canadians from coast to coast take a moment and reflect on the sacrifices of the 4,234 Canadian sailors, airmen and members of the Merchant Navy who lost their lives while trying to maintain shipping routes linking North America with Europe during the Second World War."

The Battle of the Atlantic lasted 2,075 days and was Canada's longest continuous military engagement of the Second World War. The men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Merchant Navy courageously braved the dangerous and freezing waters of the North Atlantic to ensure vital supplies reached Europe.

"I am honoured on behalf of all Nova Scotians to extend my sincere appreciation to our veterans for victory in one of the defining conflicts of the Second World War.

In 1943, the Allies gained the upper hand in battles with German U-boats. Though skirmishes continued until the end of the war, anniversary commemorations mark this "turning of the tide".

Commemorative events marking the anniversary will take place at various locations across the province.