Canadian Northwest Atlantic
Encyclopedia
Canadian Northwest Atlantic Command was the zone of operations during the Battle of the Atlantic that stretched from north of New York City
to 47 degrees west
. It was set up at the Atlantic Convoy Conference, held in Washington DC from 1-12 March 1943, and placed under the command of Rear-Admiral Leonard W. Murray
on 30 April 1943 with its headquarters in Halifax, Nova Scotia
. It was notable for being the only Allied
theatre of operations commanded by a Canadian during the war.
U.S. contribution to the Atlantic conveys was organised initially through the Support Force, Atlantic Fleet
, initially Task Force 6 under Rear Admiral Arthur L. Bristol
(later Vice Admiral), then Vice Admiral Rolland M. Brainard, then Task Force 24 under Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf
.
and Commander in Chief (COMINCH), met with Admiral Sir Percy Noble RN, Admiral Sir Henry Moore RN and Rear-Admiral Mansfield RN (formerly Chief of Staff to the C-in-C Western Approaches), Air Vice-Marshal
Durston RAF and Rear-Admiral Victor-Gabriel Brodeur RCN at the Atlantic Convoy Conference.
King proposed a realignment of authority. After deliberation, the idea was endorsed by the delegations. According to the arrangement, Britain and Canada shared the responsibility of controlling the North Atlantic seaways, while the U.S. Navy assumed control over the central and southern Atlantic.
Shortly after the conference, King created the U.S. Tenth Fleet. Vessels were not specifically assigned to Tenth Fleet, and the organization essentially served as an antisubmarine command.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to 47 degrees west
47th meridian west
The meridian 47° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, the Atlantic Ocean, South America, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
. It was set up at the Atlantic Convoy Conference, held in Washington DC from 1-12 March 1943, and placed under the command of Rear-Admiral Leonard W. Murray
Leonard W. Murray
Rear Admiral Leonard Warren Murray, CB, CBE was a officer of the Royal Canadian Navy who played a significant role in the Battle of the Atlantic. He commanded the Newfoundland Escort Force from 1941–1943, and from 1943 to the end of the war was Commander-in-Chief, Canadian Northwest Atlantic...
on 30 April 1943 with its headquarters in Halifax, Nova Scotia
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
. It was notable for being the only Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
theatre of operations commanded by a Canadian during the war.
U.S. contribution to the Atlantic conveys was organised initially through the Support Force, Atlantic Fleet
United States Fleet Forces Command
The United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
, initially Task Force 6 under Rear Admiral Arthur L. Bristol
Arthur L. Bristol
Arthur LeRoy Bristol, Jr. , was a Vice Admiral in the United States Navy, who held important commands during World War I and World War II, and was an early aircraft carrier commander.-Early life and career:...
(later Vice Admiral), then Vice Admiral Rolland M. Brainard, then Task Force 24 under Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf
Jesse B. Oldendorf
Jesse Bartlett "Oley" Oldendorf was an admiral in the United States Navy, famous for defeating a Japanese force in the Battle of Leyte Gulf during World War II...
.
Atlantic Convoy Conference
Admiral Ernest J. King, USN Chief of Naval OperationsChief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
and Commander in Chief (COMINCH), met with Admiral Sir Percy Noble RN, Admiral Sir Henry Moore RN and Rear-Admiral Mansfield RN (formerly Chief of Staff to the C-in-C Western Approaches), Air Vice-Marshal
Air Vice-Marshal
Air vice-marshal is a two-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in...
Durston RAF and Rear-Admiral Victor-Gabriel Brodeur RCN at the Atlantic Convoy Conference.
Shortly after the conference, King created the U.S. Tenth Fleet. Vessels were not specifically assigned to Tenth Fleet, and the organization essentially served as an antisubmarine command.