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The RCN in WWII

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HMS Nabob
“HMS Nabob” by Hudson, F A (Lt) Royal Navy official photographer – . Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

 

I’ve often heard the claim that the Royal Canadian Navy was the third largest in the world at the end of the World War II.  The claim makes sense on its face; the Kriegsmarine and the IJN effectively disappeared upon their surrender, the status of the Regia Marina was in some legal dispute, the Soviet Navy was not particularly large, and the Marine Nationale was early in the process of reconstruction.  Combined with wartime expansion, this would make the RCN a competitor for the third slot behind the USN and the RN.

Turns out that the devil is in the details. This article answers many of your questions about the size of the Royal Canadian Navy, but long story short:

  1. It matters whether you’re talking about VE Day or VJ Day, because the RCN retired ships faster than the IJN had it ships sunk.
  2. The Soviet Navy was a lot bigger in World War II than most people think.
  3. The French, Australians, and Swedes catch up pretty fast.

And so, the RCN can plausibly be ranked as the 5th largest navy on VE Day, behind the IJN and the Soviet Navy.  By VJ Day, the IJN disappears, but the Marine Nationale keeps the RCN in the fifth slot.  By the end of the 1945, the Swedes and Australians take over the fifth and sixth slots.

Sorry, Canada.  Another national myth shattered. Hat tip to Claude Berube.

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