The iron ore that forced Nazi Germany to attack twice

Wars & Conflicts · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the early 20th century, a tiny island off the coast of Newfoundland became a global industrial powerhouse. Its hematite was so vital to the Allied war effort that it became a strategic target, drawing direct military aggression from Nazi Germany during World War II.

Bell Island's transformation from a seasonal fishing base to an industrial titan began in 1895. The New Glasgow Coal, Iron & Railroad Company (the "Scotia Company") began mining hematite at the Wabana site, the easternmost mining site in North America. The location was strategically ideal: the ore could be loaded directly onto ships for rapid export to markets in Nova Scotia, the United States, and Europe. By the early 20th century, the island had become one of the world's most important iron ore producers, with annual production reaching approximately 1 million tons.

The island's economic importance was inextricably linked to the global steel market. While Canada and the U.S. were major buyers, the German Krupp steel group paid a premium for the ore, making Germany a primary customer before World War I. When the war broke out in 1914, the loss of the German market caused a massive economic shock. However, the ore's value shifted from commercial to military; it became essential for the Allied war industry. This strategic importance was so significant that Nazi Germany attacked the island twice during World War II.

The mining era was defined by rapid demographic shifts and labor strife. The population surged from roughly 700 in the late 1800s to over 3,000 by 1911, eventually peaking at more than 12,000 residents. The work was grueling, involving underground mines where horses lived in stables for months at a time and workers labored by candlelight. Despite the prosperity, the era was marked by frequent accidents, child labor, and bitter strikes, such as the 1900 strike involving 1,600 workers. Mining ceased in 1966, leaving the island to transition toward a tourism-based economy.

Today, Bell Island serves as a site of historical reflection. In 1988, the federal government recognized the island's mining history as a "national historic event." While the population has since fallen dramatically, the island remains a destination for those seeking to understand the intersection of industrial history, maritime shipwrecks, and the geological wealth that once fueled global warfare.

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