Battle of the Atlantic - 70th anniversary
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Battle of the Atlantic - 70th anniversary
This weekend a number of events have been taking place to commemorate the 70th anniversary of victory in the Battle of the Atlantic - see here.
Yet a search of the BBC website does not appear to show any programmes dedicated to it?
Given the los of over 45 000 Royal Navy sailors and over 30 000 merchant seaman in the Atlantic theatre as well as RAF and Army personnel, and personnel from allied nations (and over 30 000 German lives), and the fact that it was the longest running battle of the Second World War, and was the battle of which Britain's survival depended on, and that there could be no landings in occupied Europe until the Atlantic lifeline was secure, is anyone else surprised and disappointed by the lack of media interest?
Yet a search of the BBC website does not appear to show any programmes dedicated to it?
Given the los of over 45 000 Royal Navy sailors and over 30 000 merchant seaman in the Atlantic theatre as well as RAF and Army personnel, and personnel from allied nations (and over 30 000 German lives), and the fact that it was the longest running battle of the Second World War, and was the battle of which Britain's survival depended on, and that there could be no landings in occupied Europe until the Atlantic lifeline was secure, is anyone else surprised and disappointed by the lack of media interest?
Last edited by WE Branch Fanatic; 26th May 2013 at 20:15.
At the very least we could have expected a showing of The Cruel Sea, IMOH one of the best British films about WW2. The service in Liverpool Cathedral and associated parade has had good coverage on the BBC TV news, however.
Last edited by Tankertrashnav; 26th May 2013 at 21:16.
Lots of spectacular photos and video of this weekend's air activity over Liverpool on the RN Facebook page. Scroll down the page to see the full panoply.
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Agreed although in Scotland we also had local coverage of the new memorial at Loch Ewe unveiled on 7 May.
The events in Liverpool deserved a higher profile and, dare I say it on this forum, one on a par with "The Big Anniversary"
Agreed although in Scotland we also had local coverage of the new memorial at Loch Ewe unveiled on 7 May.
The events in Liverpool deserved a higher profile and, dare I say it on this forum, one on a par with "The Big Anniversary"
Last edited by draken55; 28th May 2013 at 16:35.
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I find the lack of interest on PPRuNe to be disappointing, and surprising considering the involvement of both land based long range aircraft such as Liberators or Sunderlands, and carrier based fighters and ASuW/ASW aircraft such as the Swordfish.
The event was strongly supported by the former Nimrod community, me included.
The official R.A.F. input was pathetic. A few glass fibre aircraft on display, and a fly past by a Spitfire and Hurricane . How appropriate.
On second thoughts, since the R.A.F left Coastal Command and the Battle of the Atlantic way down its list of priorities throughout the war, perhaps the response to the anniversary was appropriate.
The official R.A.F. input was pathetic. A few glass fibre aircraft on display, and a fly past by a Spitfire and Hurricane . How appropriate.
On second thoughts, since the R.A.F left Coastal Command and the Battle of the Atlantic way down its list of priorities throughout the war, perhaps the response to the anniversary was appropriate.
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Battle of Atlantic
As ex-Coastal,Neptunes and Shacks, I watched the procession of ships leaving the Mersey with great interest. Sad to see that the Flagship of the Royal Navy is a dock landing ship, and the other RN Ship, HMS Edinburgh is being laid off. I suppose that I live in the past now, but I hope that we will not be caught on the hop again!
Sorry oxenos, I'll rephrase my wording:
The official RAF input to the Battle of the Atlantic events would have been strongly supported by the still serving former Nimrod community but to quote a previous AOC 2 Gp - "We don't do that sh1t anymore"!
The official RAF input to the Battle of the Atlantic events would have been strongly supported by the still serving former Nimrod community but to quote a previous AOC 2 Gp - "We don't do that sh1t anymore"!
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I am proud to have served on 120 Squadron, the RAF's top scoring anti-submarine squadron in World War Two, with 14 U-Boats sunk between December 1942 and April 1945.
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Wander00,
I'm not sure what AOC 2 Gp's actions on 11 Nov have to do with the RAF's support of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. Can you explain? It appears to me that the intimation was that as the RAF don't do MPA any more, they are not particularly interested in remembering that aspect of WW2. In the same way that the FAA were involved in BoB but the commemoration is done, largely, by the RAF.
Duncs
I'm not sure what AOC 2 Gp's actions on 11 Nov have to do with the RAF's support of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. Can you explain? It appears to me that the intimation was that as the RAF don't do MPA any more, they are not particularly interested in remembering that aspect of WW2. In the same way that the FAA were involved in BoB but the commemoration is done, largely, by the RAF.
Duncs
Had not realised that the former AOC's comment was specific to remembrance of Maritime air events. Nevertheless still (and I was only in 18 Group by accident as Wyton was not really "Maritime") seems a somewhat insensitive comment - maritime operators have an illustrious history, and many have given their lives in that environment. Seems to me we should remember all areas of operations, wartime and otherwise. Sorry if I trod on a corn.
Wander00,
Previous AOC's comments were related to anything and everything maritime. Dunc's acurately reflects my point, hence very little RAF presence (no Nimrod crews sat in the pews) and no parading of BOA sqn std's, Nimrod flypast etc..
Previous AOC's comments were related to anything and everything maritime. Dunc's acurately reflects my point, hence very little RAF presence (no Nimrod crews sat in the pews) and no parading of BOA sqn std's, Nimrod flypast etc..