Battle of the Atlantic commemoration

Liverpool is marking the 70th anniversary of the crucial Battle of the Atlantic.



Liverpool was the HQ for control of Western Approaches, and many of the convoys berthed in our docks.
My father served in the Merchant Navy throughout the war, crossing the Atlantic numerous times.
It was the dedication of those crews, plus the Royal Navy escorts that kep Britain fed and supplied, and able to keep the fight against the Nazis going.
We must pay particular respect to the men who crewed the Murmansk convoys through bitter Arctic weather, only to be confined to the dockside upon arrival in Soviet Russia.
Many celebrations are planned for the anniversary... story here

I just finished "The Cruel Sea" and "Iron Coffins"...these men went through hell...

Lots of veterans in town last night, including a big contingent from America. I had the distinct pleasure to meet a gent who had jumped into Holland with the 82nd Airborne during Operation Market Garden. Truly a humbling experience to meet such veterans.

It's amazing he made the trip...

Losses in the Battle of the Atlantic
3 September 1939 – 8 May 1945
(5 years, 8 months and 5 days)

Allies
36,200 sailors
36,000 merchant seamen
3,500 merchant vessels
175 warships

Germans
30,000 sailors
783 submarines

Now the 80th anniversary...

Battle of the Atlantic Liverpool 2023