NAVY HISTORY - Periods - Interwar
In the 1920s, the navy introduced its first submarines and began to develop a naval aviation branch. In addition, the RCN developed a specialized torpedo boat service and established the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR), which provided a reserve of trained personnel in times of need.
In the 1930s, the RCN continued to expand and modernize its fleet, adding new cruisers, destroyers, and other vessels. The navy also began to develop new training programs and establish new bases, including the Halifax Naval Yard and the Esquimalt Naval Base on Vancouver Island.
Despite these developments, the RCN remained a relatively small and underfunded force compared to other naval powers, and was primarily focused on coastal defense and protecting Canada's maritime interests. However, the navy did participate in a number of international exercises and operations, including patrols of the North Atlantic and deployments to the Pacific.
The outbreak of World War II in 1939 led to a significant expansion of the RCN. The navy's role in the Battle of the Atlantic, escorting convoys and engaging in battles with German U-boats, would become a major part of the RCN's wartime contribution. The RCN also played a significant role in the invasion of Normandy in 1944, providing naval gunfire support and escorting landing craft.
Overall, between the First and Second World War, the RCN continued to develop and expand, focusing on modernizing its fleet and developing new capabilities. The navy's focus remained primarily on coastal defense and protecting Canada's maritime interests, but it would play a crucial role in the Allied effort during World War II.