The Battle of the St. Lawrence

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The Battle of the St. Lawrence Page 34

by Nathan M. Greenfield


  production requirements, 115–118

  Côté, Capt. (ADC), 149–151

  Courchènes, Mgr. Georges, 194–195, 196, 274n. 1

  Crane, Norman (Newfoundland Ranger Force), 191–192

  Crichton, Lt. Cmdr. M. H. R. See Salisbury, HMS

  Crockette, Arthur (Arrowhead), 83, 86–87, 147–148

  Crowther, Dudley (Newfoundland Ranger Force), 95–96

  Curry, Frank (Kamsack), 115, 167, 170

  Cuthbert, Lt. J. (Grandmère), 183–184, 188–190

  De Marbois, Cmdr. J. M. D. E. (RCN Intelligence), 168, 273n.4

  Defence of Shipping—Gulf of St. Lawrence (memorandum), 34, 52–53

  defence spending, 7–9, 11-12, 116, 197–198

  Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships (DEMS), 146–147

  degaussing, 100, 270n.9

  depth charges

  defensive measure, 214

  hedgehog pistols, 125, 181 loading procedures, 125

  power, 60, 200

  release problems, 98

  triggered by ship sinking, 132, 272n.7

  usage and effects, 73, 105–106, 125–126, 127

  der Tag, 43–44

  diffused lighting, 209–210. See also blackouts

  dim-outs. See blackouts

  Dinaric, SS, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59

  dive procedures. See U-boats

  Donald Stewart, SS, 76, 97–98

  Dönitz, Karl (Führer der Uboote)

  appointment, 12

  background, 164

  on Canadian air power, 181 defeat, 240

  loss of the Battle of the Atlantic, 217

  objectives, 45

  Sailing Orders, 96, 221

  U-bootwaffe morale, 219

  Drummondville, HMCS (Fraser), 53–54, 58–60, 60–61

  Eastern Air Command (EAC). See also Aircraft Detection Corps; Mont Joli

  against U-132, 62–64

  against U-517, 76–77, 100–101, 154–158

  against U-553, 34, 41

  against U-1223, 227–228

  air cover capability, 20, 51, 179, 204, 238

  communications procedures, 51, 61–62, 201

  coordination with Royal Canadian Navy, 181, 201, 202–203

  coordination with US Air Force, 51

  deployment, 100, 177, 201

  effectiveness, 51–52, 70, 174, 177, 179–181, 221 expansion, 155, 200

  intelligence failures, 52, 149–151, 161

  search patterns, 227

  training, 20, 63, 76, 100–101, 194, 196, 200

  economic aid to UK, 46

  Elektro-boat, 219

  encryption. See code systems; Enigma cipher system

  Enigma cipher system, 168, 207, 209, 217

  espionage

  coastal surveys, 93

  Janowski, 248, 250–252

  “Langbein”, 248–249, 269n.9

  spy landings, 69, 248

  weather station, 248, 252–253

  Esquimalt, HMCS (Macmillan), 238–239

  Essex Lance, SS, 152–153

  exposure, 28, 33, 189–190, 238–240, 268n.7. See also lifeboats

  Fairmile Q-074. See Q-074

  Federal Government. See also Canada

  budget debate, 197–198

  censorship policy, 2–3, 38–39, 66–67, 200, 202

  legislation against foreign deserters, 46–47

  parliamentary secret sessions, 66, 69–70

  and Quebec politics, 141, 198–199

  release of information, 178–179, 198, 202, 204

  role in defence, 199

  War Cabinet, 112

  Fort Ramsay Navy/Air Force Operations Centre

  communications procedures, 61

  operations, 29–30, 34, 61, 77

  readiness, 29–30, 34

  resources, 20, 61

  France (Vichy regime), 179, 194–195

  Fraser, Lt. J. P. See Drummondville, HMCS

  Frederika Lensen, SS, 72–74

  Fullerton, Ruth, 182–183

  funerals

  Donald Bowser, 136–138

  Wilhelm Koning, 40–41

  Gagnon, Onésime (MLA)

  on naval command structure, 3

  on St. Lawrence closure, 141

  on St. Lawrence defence, 198–200

  Gagnon, Onésime (Quebec MLA), on

  Caribou intelligence, 181–182

  Gaspé. See also Fort Ramsay

  army forts, 20, 193

  defences, 20, 64, 70, 193–194, 196 -197

  morale, 68–69, 177–178

  German POW escape, 204, 206–208, 211–212, 215

  Germany. See also espionage

  League of Nations withdrawal, 8

  media coverage, 37–38, 109, 179

  Nazi culture, 164–166, 268n.5

  submarine program, 11

  Treaty of Versailles restrictions, 11-12, 45, 92, 165

  Godbout, Adélard (Quebec Premier), 141

  public opinion concerns, 69–70

  on St. Lawrence defences, 177–179, 198

  Gräf, Kptlt Ulrich. See U-69

  Graham, George (Defence Minister), 7–8

  Grandmère, HMCS, 183–184, 188–190, 192

  Great Yacht Plot, 270n.7

  gue, 53, 237

  guerre de course, 12, 26–27, 44, 45

  Guilbault, Lorraine, 50

  Gullage, Capt. John L. (Burgeo), 231, 232–233

  H/F D/F (High Frequency Directional Finding), 39, 88, 100, 143, 154, 204

  operations, 168–169

  Hainaut, SS, 54, 56–57

  Halifax, Port of, 14, 17, 53, 112, 139–141, 199, 237

  Hanson, Richard (MP), 66

  Hartwig, KrvKpt Paul (U-517). See also U-517

  background, 13, 92–94, 165, 270n.8, 274n.7

  style, 95, 96, 133

  Heagy, Allan (Charlottetown), 110, 129, 131, 133

  hedgehog pistols, 125, 181

  Heyda, Kptlt Wolfgang (U-434), 206, 211–213

  Hirschmann, Werner (U-190, U-612), 13–14, 106, 218

  Hitler, Adolf (German Chancellor), 12, 121

  Hoffman, Korventtenkapitan Eberhard (U-165), 79. See also U-165

  Huff Duff. See H/F D/F

  hydrophones, 231

  hypothermia, 28, 33, 189–190, 238–240, 268n.8

  industrial capability, 45–46, 116–118, 139–142

  Inger Elizabeth, SS, 145–146

  intelligence. See Aircraft Detection Corps; Canadian Naval Intelligence; Enigma cipher system; H/F D/F

  International Control Commission, 12

  Ireland Code, 207, 274n.8

  Janowski, Werner Alfred Waldemar von (spy), 248, 250–252

  Jean Brillant, 200–201, 202

  Joannis, SS, 153–154

  jolly boats. See lifeboats

  Jones, Lt. William J. See Shawinigan, HMCS

  Jones, Rear Adm. G. C. (Vice Chief of Naval Staff)

  Charlottetown inquiry, 127

  manning policy, 158–160

  U-boat warnings, 19, 195

  King, Adm. Edward (U.S. Navy), 53

  King, William Lyon Mackenzie (Prime Minister)

  on blackouts, 49

  on censorship, 63

  on industry, 8

  on military preparation, 19, 36–37

  Operation Torch, 143

  parliamentary secret session, 70

  visiting troops in England, 167

  War Cabinet meeting, 112–113

  Kingston Shipyard, 113–114, 117–118, 118 -119

  Koning, Wilhelm (Leto), 33, 40–41

  Korkum, Max (Sackville), 114–115

  Kretschmer, KrvKpt Otto (U-99), 206, 211

  Kriegsmarine, 43–44

  anti-semitism, 254–255

  comparison with Royal Canadian Navy, 162–164

  importance of U-bootwaffe, 12

  “Kurt” (weather station), 248, 252–253

  Lade, Lt. H. E. See Clayoquot, HMCS

  “Langbein”, Lt M. A.
(spy), 248–249, 269n.9

  Laramie, USS, 80–82

  Lavoie, Gaétan, 33, 36

  Leigh Light, 51, 180

  Les Fusiliers du St-Laurent, 19–20, 50

  enlistment, 196

  opposed by the Church, 194

  Leto, SS

  evacuation, 31–32

  lack of radio messages, 32, 33

  press reports, 31, 32–33, 36, 39

  sinking by U-553, 29, 30, 30–32

  survivors, 33

  lifeboats. See also exposure

  Carley floats, 27

  Charlottetown, 131–132

  deployment policy, 26

  launch problems on Caribou, 186–188

  launching, 26, 31–32, 84, 104–105

  lighthouse blackout procedures, 34

  London Naval Treaty, 12, 267n.3

  Lorient Espionage Unit, 206–208, 211

  MacAuley, Ray (Charlottetown), 121, 123–124, 128–129, 130, 131–133, 134–135

  Macdonald, Angus (Naval Services Minister)

  on Caribou sinking, 178, 192

  on censorship and shipping protection, 66–68

  on defence plans, 34, 49

  on intelligence failures, 150–151

  on QS-33 sinkings, 89–90

  reassignment of Gulf Escort Force, 112

  in secret session, 69–70

  on shipping losses, 3–4, 36, 40–41, 198, 198–200, 202

  MacLaughlin, Francis (Kingston Shipyard), H4-H5, 118–121, 228

  Magog, HMCS (Quick)

  casualties, 223, 225, 226

  escorting ONS-33, 223

  salvage, 226–227, 228

  torpedo damage by U-1223, 223–225

  manning

  policies, 10, 158–160, 218

  pools, 19, 46

  Marchand, Laurent (Oakton), 90, 99, 102, 103, 104

  Marienfeld, Oblt Friedrich-William (U-1228), 222, 229–230

  McRae, Bill (Nicoya), in HX-126, 15–17

  media coverage. See press coverage

  merchant marine, 46–47, 98–99

  Metox (radar detector), 169, 170

  mines, 148

  Mojave, USCGC, 94–95

  Mont Joli (air base), 20, 62–63, 70, 76, 100, 177, 194, 196, 200

  Montgomery, SLt. Herb (Magog), 223, 224–225, 226

  Montreal, Port of, 112, 139–142, 177, 201, 237

  Moors, Lt. George (Charlottetown), 123, 132, 135–136

  morale. See also censorship; press coverage

  allied forces, 46–47

  in Gaspé, 68–69, 177–178

  merchant marines, 46–47, 98–99

  national, 178–179

  U-bootwaffe, 180, 219

  Mount Pindus, SS, 105, 108

  Mount Taygetus, SS, 103, 105, 108

  Murphy, Donald (Clayoquot), 98, 110, 135

  Murray, Rear Adm. Leonard (COAC, CIC Canadian NW Atlantic), 8–9

  on convoy routes, 142

  escort force deployments, 143, 233

  Great Yacht Plot, 270n.7

  Operation Kiebitz, 208–209

  training issues, 158–160

  myths. See rumors

  Naval Boarding Service (NBS), 47

  naval estimates, 7–9, 11–12, 116, 197–198

  Naval Service of Canada. See also Royal Canadian Navy

  headquarters (Ottawa), 112

  Naval Control of Shipping (NCS), 140, 142

  navigational lights, 21, 49, 69

  Nebelbold, 189

  Nelles, Vice Adm. Percy (Chief of Naval Staff), 19, 45, 112, 195

  Newfoundland Ferry and Railway Company, 231–232

  Nicholson, Lt. W. E. (Vison), 174

  Nicoya, SS (Brice)

  attack by U-556, 15–17

  evacuation, 24–26, 27–28

  sinking by U-553, 23–24, 25–27, 27

  survivors, 34

  NL-9, convoy, 168, 169–170, 170–173, 229

  Oakton, SS (Brown), 90–91, 91, 100, 103–105, 108

  oil supply convoys, 53, 68, 69–70, 269n.4

  ON-84, convoy. See Charlottetown, HMCS

  ONS-33, convoy, 223, 226. See also Magog, HMCS

  Operation Kiebitz, 206–208, 211–212, 215

  Operation Paukenschlag, 53, 237

  Operation Torch, 112, 142, 143, 173

  Pearl Harbor, 11, 158

  Pepper, Leilo, 192

  Perkin, Signalman Cyril, 142–143, 145, 149

  Pickford, Lt. R. John (Rimouski), 160, 210, 214

  Piers, Lt. Cmdr. Desmund (Restigouche), 160, 163, 206, 208–209, 210, 212–213

  Pike, Robert (Waterton), 99

  Pillenwerfer, 107, 148

  POW camps

  Camp 70, 204

  Camp 30 (Bowmanville), 206–208, 274n.7

  escapes, 204, 206–208, 211–212

  Powell, Richard (Laramie), 80

  Power, Charles G. (Federal Air Minister)

  addressing anti-EAC rumors, 62

  intelligence on Caribou attack, 181–182

  release of classified information, 179

  press coverage

  air war, 3

  censorship of news, 38, 66–67

  defence strategy, 203

  dim-out regulations, 51

  German media, 39, 109, 179

  Mont Joli air base, 194

  Quebec opinion, 196–197

  shipping losses, 2–3, 177–179

  sinkings, 2–3, 32–33, 36–37, 38, 65, 73, 89–90, 109, 178

  Vichy France, 194–195

  propaganda broadcasts

  Lord Haw Haw, 75, 183

  morale effect, 46

  Radio Vichy, 196

  public opinion, 67–68, 177–178, 194–195

  Q-063, Fairmile launch, 151–152

  Q-074, Fairmile launch, 71–72, 73–74

  Q-082, Fairmile launch, 151–152

  QS-15, convoy, 54–57, 58

  QS-19, convoy, 71–74

  QS-33, convoy. See also Raccoon, HMCS

  attack by U-165, 76–77, 78, 82–84

  attacks by U-517, 88, 97–98, 101–105, 144–145

  press reports, 109

  reforming, 100

  survivors, 107–109

  Quebec. See also Gagnon; Godbout; Roy

  attitudes to Jews, 195, 274n.3

  conscription issues, 67, 195, 269n.8, 274n.5

  debates in Legislative Assembly, 199

  economic issues, 201

  federal politics, 141, 199

  military enlistment, 196

  public opinion, 67–68, 177–178, 194–195

  support of Vichy France, 179, 194 -196

  Quebec City, 140–142

  Quebec press. See press coverage

  Quick, Lt. Cmdr. Louis T. See Magog, HMCS

  Raccoon, HMCS (Smith). See also QS-33

  history, 270n.7

  press reports, 89–90

  search for, 88–89

  sinking by U-165, 77, 86–87

  radar, 83–84

  271 Centimetric radar, 10, 111, 143–144, 161

  286 radar, 10, 111, 144, 173, 27m.i

  accuracy improvement, 219

  Canadian capability, 271n.1, 272n.4

  countermeasures, 169, 219

  effectiveness, 177

  Leigh Light airborne radar, 51, 180

  Microwave Early Warning, 200

  radio beacons, 21, 49, 69

  radio directional finding (RDF). See radar

  Ralston, Col. James L. (Defence Minister), 8, 64

  ramming of U-boats, 59, 60

  Rasch, Kapitänleutnant Hermann. See U-106

  RCN. See Royal Canadian Navy

  RCNR. See Royal Canadian Naval Reserve

  RCNVR. See Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve

  RDF (radio directional finding). See radar

  Read, Edward (Oakton)

  background, 90–91, 99, 100

  Oakton sinking, 83, 84, 86, 90, 103–105, 107–109

  requisit
ioning of yachts, 270n.7

  Rimouski, HMCS (Pickford), 209–210, 213–214, 241

  riveting, 118–119

  Roberto, Carmello (Laramie), 80

  Roy, Sasseville (Gaspé MP)

  challenges to government, 141, 200–201

  on intelligence failures, 149–151

  on military service in the Gaspé, 203–204

  on naval command structure, 3–4

  in parliament, 3, 65–66, 67–68

  on St. Lawrence defences, 177, 197–198

  Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). See Eastern Air Command

  Royal Canadian Naval Reserve (RCNR), 10, 11, 163

  Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer

  Reserve (RCNVR), 8, 10, 11, 163–164

  Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). See also convoys; training

  Anti-Submarine strike forces, 20, 38, 52–53, 200, 218

  command structure, 123

  communications procedures, 61, 88

  compared with British Admiralty, 10-11, 160–161, 272n.4

  compared with Kriegsmarine, 162–164

  convoy services, 10-11, 179

  coordination with Eastern Air Command, 181, 201, 202–203

  culture, 166–167

  equipment, 10–11, 200

  loss statistics, 267n.1, 272n.9

  naval estimates, 7–9, 11–12, 116, 197- 198

  resources, 8–9, 10–11, 155, 237–238

  wartime expansion, 163–164

  Royal Navy (RN). See British Admiralty

  rumors. See also censorship; morale; press coverage

  abandonment of woman survivor (Nicoya), 36

  drunken Air Force pilots, 62

  German operations in Canada, 2, 3, 40–41, 64–65, 66, 200

  German supply caches, 69

  privilege abuse, 178, 200–201, 202

  saboteurs, 69

  sale of war bonds, 2, 50

  ship sinkings, 64

  under-reporting of losses, 4, 178–179, 198- 200

  US destroyer sinkings, 198

  Salisbury, HMS (Crichton)

  analysis of attacks, 148–149, 160

  assignment to Gulf Escort Force, 142, 143

  escorting SQ-36, 144–145, 147–148, 151–154

  Saturnus, SS, 146

  Schauenburg, Kptlt. Rolf (U-536), 165, 210, 213–214

  Second Happy Time, 30, 229

  SG-6, convoy, 79–82

  SG-6F, convoy, 94–95

  Shawinigan, HMCS (Jones)

  inquiry, 232–233, 234

  in salvage of Magog, 226

  in search for Raccoon, 89

  search for survivors, 233–234

  service record, 229

  sinking by U-1228, 230–231

 

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