Visitors to Bell Island are often surprised to learn that this small island in Conception Bay, Newfoundland, was one of the few places in North America to come under direct attack during the Second World War.

Bell Island harbour was a target of German U-boats in 1942. A total of four ore carriers went down and about 60 crew members were killed.

Bell Island Mine Museum manager Teresita McCarthy spoke to Nelle Oosterom of Canada’s History recently about the island’s fascinating wartime history.