Battle of the Atlantic Parade in Sudbury; May 2014
Battle of the Atlantic Parade in Sudbury; May 2014

By Angela Gemmill

The first Sunday of May is an important date in the history of Canadian naval forces, as it marks the end of the Battle of the Atlantic during World War Two.

Lieutenant Navy Sean Pretty, a Commanding Officer with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corp Admiral Mountbatton in Sudbury, says the struggle was for control of the ocean during World War Two.

He says it was a struggle between the Allied and German forces for control of the Atlantic Ocean.

The allies needed to keep the flow of men and supplies going between North America and Europe where they could be used in the fighting, as well as providing supplies and logistics to the forces.

The Battle of the Atlantic was the “longest, largest, and most complex” naval battle in history and Canada played a huge role.

Several local naval organizations will mark the battle with a parade and ceremony Sunday (May 3) starting at 10:45am in Memorial Park, downtown.

Those who are expected to be part of the events are: the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corp Admiral Mountbatton, the Espanola Sea Cadets, the Navy League Cadet Corp of Sudbury, members of the naval community and several veterans.

The commemoration happens every year on the first Sunday in May since the final actions of the battle took place in early May 1945.

The parade and ceremony are open to the public and Lieutenant Pretty encourages everyone to come learn about an important part of our Canadian military history.

(Picture: Navy League cadets take part in the Battle of the Atlantic Parade in Sudbury from May 2014)