Hamilton, ONTARIO, June 28, 2006 -- Today at the homeport of the Polish Navy, in the city of Gdynia, Poland, a ceremony was held to mark the twinning of HMCS Haida, located in Hamilton, Ontario and ORP Blyskawica, located in Gdynia. The two WWII destroyers served together as part of the British led 10th Destroyer Flotilla in 1944.
The Canadian delegation at the ceremony included Mr. David Preston, Canadian Ambassador to Poland, Carla Morse representing Parks Canada, members of the Friends of HMCS Haida and the band of the Royal Regiment of Canada. Also in attendance was David Fairbarns, a Canadian WWII veteran who served on HMCS Haida. A highlight of the ceremony was the signing of an Agreement that will facilitate the sharing of information, expertise and goodwill between the two ships.
In January 1944, the Commander-in-Charge of the Royal Navy's Plymouth Command, Vice-Admiral Sir Ralph Leatham, formed an offensive strike force of Allied ships, known as the 10th Destroyer Flotilla, to battle German destroyers in the English Channel and Bay of Biscay. The 10th Destroyer Flotilla was comprised mainly of Tribal Class destroyers and was formed to win control of the western English Channel through aggressive night fighting. HMCS Haida joined the 10th Destroyer Flotilla in January 1944 and continued as part of it until September of that year. Due to a loss in strength after the sinking of the Canadian destroyer HMCS Athabaskan in April 1944, the flotilla was reinforced with four additional ships in May 1944. Of these four ships, two British destroyers and two Polish destroyers were added: ORP Blyskawica and ORP Piorun.
¡§This is an important moment in the history of these two ships, as they are now part of an agreement which will link them together indefinitely and allow us to share expertise and practical knowledge gained in WWII,¡¨ said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada. ¡§This is especially significant as it's taking place while men who served in these ships are still here to witness it. The cooperation shown by our two countries during WWII to defend the English Channel in the build up to D-Day will continue in the years to come through the efforts to preserve and perpetuate that memory for future generations.¡¨
ORP Blyskawica is currently operated as an historic naval ship and is open to the public for self-guided tours from May to the end of November. HMCS Haida is also open to the public for tours from May 20 to October 10.
HMCS Haida is Canada's most famous warship and saw service in WWII, the Korean War and the Cold War. The ship was designated a National Historic Site in 1984 by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada for her role in naval combat and because she is the last of the Tribal class of destroyers built between 1938 and 1948 for the British, Canadian and Australian Navies.
Additional information about HMCS Haida can be found at www.pc.gc.ca. Additional information about ORP Blyskawica can be found at www.navy.mw.mil.pl.
Information:
Ryan Sparrow
Associate Director and Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Carla Morse
Collections Specialist
HMCS Haida NHS
Parks Canada
011-48-696-80-86-43
Dena Rozon
Manager,
Ontario Communications
Ontario Service Centre
Parks Canada
(613) 361-4661
