Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic
Liverpool's excellent Maritime Museum, as one might expect, has much on the Battle of the Atlantic.
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But is there going to be a programme dedicated to it?
Last edited by WE Branch Fanatic; 27th May 2023 at 23:17.
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Greta graph - but Interesting that the merchant ship losses were already falling rapidly from the peak of Q2 1942 well before the introduction of the support groups and escort carriers - even though the number of U Boats on duty went up considerably.
Something else, probably SIGINT, must have been the main reason for the fall in losses.
Something else, probably SIGINT, must have been the main reason for the fall in losses.
Other technologies were maturing as the war progressed - High Frequency Direction Finding, Radar sets small enough for escort ships and able to detect a surface U boat, more advanced ASDIC, ASW weapons such as Hedgehog, ASV radar in aircraft, the Leigh Light, and VHF radio that allow ships to talk to each other in real time as they mounted a counter attack.
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I must have missed this yesterday - Mea Culpa:
New memorial unveiled as Battle of the Atlantic anniversary events begin - Royal Navy
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal today unveiled a new national memorial to those who fought – and won – Britain’s longest battle at sea: the Battle of the Atlantic.
Eighty years to the week that the Germans pulled back their submarines from the grey wastes after being mauled by allied naval and air forces, an impressive monument – not just to those who died at sea, but those who survived as well – was dedicated in the grounds of Our Lady and St Nicholas’ Parish Church in Liverpool.
Princess Anne told those present at the dedication of the memorial and garden of reflection – which replace a much smaller and far less accessible monument – that it was crucial the story of the Battle of the Atlantic was “properly told”.
The Royal Navy provided a Royal Guard for proceedings, following a service of thanksgiving and remembrance attended by national, international and local dignitaries and leaders, including Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key.
Guests were treated to a fly past from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and vintage naval aircraft from the Naval Wings collection as the ceremony ended on a beautiful day in Merseyside.
The dedication of the memorial is the first act in a weekend of commemorations on the Mersey.
As well as being one of the country’s most important merchant harbours in World War 2, Liverpool served as the headquarters of the Western Approaches Command – from where the struggle to defeat the U-boat was conducted.
HMS Defender and Biter, plus sailors from HMS Eaglet, Sea Cadets, the Royal Naval Association and veterans groups are taking part in events, alongside comrades from the French destroyer Bretagne and US warship USS Ramage. A full list of activities can be found here.
The emphasis on today’s events in Liverpool has been on thanksgiving and reconciliation – gratitude for those who risked their lives to keep the sea lanes open between 1939 and 1945 and that former enemies are now firm NATO allies.
Captain Wolfgang Heuer, the German Naval Attaché in London, was among the guests at the service/unveiling.
“In Germany, as you can imagine, this is a period in our history which we are not proud of,” he explained. “But it is an honour to be here not just as an act of commemoration, but also reconciliation.”
A small German contingent is taking part in events across the weekend, as are representatives of the Royal Canadian Navy – key allies in the Atlantic in World War 2 and today.
“These events are an act of remembrance for all sailors who all did something incredibly hard,” said Captain Chris Peschke, Naval Adviser at the Canadian High Commission in London.
“Our enemy is the sea – it will kill you faster than any foe. There are ties between all sailors, regardless of their nationality: all face hardships and danger at sea.
“The important thing is that now we are all allies and good friends.”
Among the thousands of men risking their lives against the twin foes of the cruel sea and the U-boat was John Dennett, one of the few surviving Atlantic veterans able to attend this weekend’s commemorations.
He’s delighted that his home city has made a huge effort to mark the 80th anniversary of the battle, and especially remember merchant sailors: 36,000 were killed and some 3,500 merchant ships sunk.
“We must never forget the sacrifice of the merchant ships,” stressed John, who served as an anti-aircraft gunner in the Royal Navy.
“They are the heart of Liverpool. Speak to anyone in the area and there will be someone in their family who was once a merchant seaman. It is only right that we should never forget them and I’m glad that Liverpool has been the first to acknowledge it.”
New memorial unveiled as Battle of the Atlantic anniversary events begin - Royal Navy
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal today unveiled a new national memorial to those who fought – and won – Britain’s longest battle at sea: the Battle of the Atlantic.
Eighty years to the week that the Germans pulled back their submarines from the grey wastes after being mauled by allied naval and air forces, an impressive monument – not just to those who died at sea, but those who survived as well – was dedicated in the grounds of Our Lady and St Nicholas’ Parish Church in Liverpool.
Princess Anne told those present at the dedication of the memorial and garden of reflection – which replace a much smaller and far less accessible monument – that it was crucial the story of the Battle of the Atlantic was “properly told”.
The Royal Navy provided a Royal Guard for proceedings, following a service of thanksgiving and remembrance attended by national, international and local dignitaries and leaders, including Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key.
Guests were treated to a fly past from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and vintage naval aircraft from the Naval Wings collection as the ceremony ended on a beautiful day in Merseyside.
The dedication of the memorial is the first act in a weekend of commemorations on the Mersey.
As well as being one of the country’s most important merchant harbours in World War 2, Liverpool served as the headquarters of the Western Approaches Command – from where the struggle to defeat the U-boat was conducted.
HMS Defender and Biter, plus sailors from HMS Eaglet, Sea Cadets, the Royal Naval Association and veterans groups are taking part in events, alongside comrades from the French destroyer Bretagne and US warship USS Ramage. A full list of activities can be found here.
The emphasis on today’s events in Liverpool has been on thanksgiving and reconciliation – gratitude for those who risked their lives to keep the sea lanes open between 1939 and 1945 and that former enemies are now firm NATO allies.
Captain Wolfgang Heuer, the German Naval Attaché in London, was among the guests at the service/unveiling.
“In Germany, as you can imagine, this is a period in our history which we are not proud of,” he explained. “But it is an honour to be here not just as an act of commemoration, but also reconciliation.”
A small German contingent is taking part in events across the weekend, as are representatives of the Royal Canadian Navy – key allies in the Atlantic in World War 2 and today.
“These events are an act of remembrance for all sailors who all did something incredibly hard,” said Captain Chris Peschke, Naval Adviser at the Canadian High Commission in London.
“Our enemy is the sea – it will kill you faster than any foe. There are ties between all sailors, regardless of their nationality: all face hardships and danger at sea.
“The important thing is that now we are all allies and good friends.”
Among the thousands of men risking their lives against the twin foes of the cruel sea and the U-boat was John Dennett, one of the few surviving Atlantic veterans able to attend this weekend’s commemorations.
He’s delighted that his home city has made a huge effort to mark the 80th anniversary of the battle, and especially remember merchant sailors: 36,000 were killed and some 3,500 merchant ships sunk.
“We must never forget the sacrifice of the merchant ships,” stressed John, who served as an anti-aircraft gunner in the Royal Navy.
“They are the heart of Liverpool. Speak to anyone in the area and there will be someone in their family who was once a merchant seaman. It is only right that we should never forget them and I’m glad that Liverpool has been the first to acknowledge it.”
Don't see a lot on this side of the Atlantic regarding the commemoration. Thought of dad's stories when doing our OPDEC crossing for Ocean Safari "85. Flew Seakings off the America. Experienced 3 successive gales. Dad served on USS Greer, First US ship to engage a U boat in Sep '41. His story of SC 121 In Mar '43 held me in awe. Out of 59 ships escorted, they lost 11. According to him they rammed a life boat and were unable to pick up survivors. Can't vouch for the veracity of this. It was certainly a brutal campaign.
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The size of the German Navy U-Boat fleet is astonishing as was its losses.
Starting in '39 until the end of the War the Germans lost 768 U-Boats but still had 300 about half were scuttled by their crews and balance surrendered to the Allied Navies.
The peak year was 1944 when 249 were lost with another 120 during the first five months of '45.
The US Navy lost 53 Subs during the War if I have my number correct.
Starting in '39 until the end of the War the Germans lost 768 U-Boats but still had 300 about half were scuttled by their crews and balance surrendered to the Allied Navies.
The peak year was 1944 when 249 were lost with another 120 during the first five months of '45.
The US Navy lost 53 Subs during the War if I have my number correct.
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I just found this on YouTube.
What a wonderful thing to see - a reminder of the fight in the Atlantic (and Arctic) and the innovation involved in fighting and winning. Need to provide air cover for convoys? Turn a merchant ship or merchant ship hull into a small carrier. Need air patrols ahead of convoys? Take a slow torpedo bomber and fit radar and rockets - which meant a metal lower wing, and fly these from the escort carriers. Need fighter protection and have only a limited number of the American naval fighters? Convert existing Hurricane and Spitfire designs, fly from small decks.
What a wonderful thing to see - a reminder of the fight in the Atlantic (and Arctic) and the innovation involved in fighting and winning. Need to provide air cover for convoys? Turn a merchant ship or merchant ship hull into a small carrier. Need air patrols ahead of convoys? Take a slow torpedo bomber and fit radar and rockets - which meant a metal lower wing, and fly these from the escort carriers. Need fighter protection and have only a limited number of the American naval fighters? Convert existing Hurricane and Spitfire designs, fly from small decks.
I just found this on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/hihA3PQLBn4
What a wonderful thing to see - a reminder of the fight in the Atlantic (and Arctic) and the innovation involved in fighting and winning. Need to provide air cover for convoys? Turn a merchant ship or merchant ship hull into a small carrier. Need air patrols ahead of convoys? Take a slow torpedo bomber and fit radar and rockets - which meant a metal lower wing, and fly these from the escort carriers. Need fighter protection and have only a limited number of the American naval fighters? Convert existing Hurricane and Spitfire designs, fly from small decks.
https://youtu.be/hihA3PQLBn4
What a wonderful thing to see - a reminder of the fight in the Atlantic (and Arctic) and the innovation involved in fighting and winning. Need to provide air cover for convoys? Turn a merchant ship or merchant ship hull into a small carrier. Need air patrols ahead of convoys? Take a slow torpedo bomber and fit radar and rockets - which meant a metal lower wing, and fly these from the escort carriers. Need fighter protection and have only a limited number of the American naval fighters? Convert existing Hurricane and Spitfire designs, fly from small decks.
According to the schedule in post #16 a P-8A took part on Friday.
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'Absolutely brilliant' Battle of the Atlantic events conclude in Liverpool - Royal Navy
Three days of Battle of the Atlantic commemorations have ended in Liverpool with organisers and public equally delighted by the maritime spectacle.
A ‘parade of sail’ by merchant vessels and flypast from a Swordfish torpedo bomber to the sound of the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland performing a Beat Retreat brought the curtain down on three days of events remembering the longest, hardest battle the Royal Navy has ever fought and, crucially, won.
The final day of 80th anniversary commemorations focused on remembrance, beginning with the dedication of a memorial to the often-overlooked sacrifice of more than 400 Poles who never returned home.
Polish consul general Michał Mazurek joined veterans groups in unveiling a memorial to his countrymen who served in the Atlantic in warships – such as the destroyer Błyskawica or legendary submarine Orzeł – merchant vessels and also with the RAF’s Coastal Command.
That was followed by a traditional drumhead service on Liverpool’s waterfront - from where warships and merchant vessels once sailed to run the U-boat gauntlet in the North Atlantic.
A forest of flags and standards from veterans groups – numbers bolstered by the annual gathering of the Royal Naval Association in the city – rose above spectators who saw, first, the Battle of Britain’s Memorial Flight make its third appearance of the weekend, then the Swordfish performing its first of two displays of the final day.
Attention then shifted to Exchange Flags – the imposing office block complex which houses the Western Approaches Command, headquarters of the Atlantic battle - where around 1,000 sailors (British, French, American from the three major warships attending events on the Mersey) veterans’ groups and cadets began their march through the heart of the city before passing a small number of veterans, who took the salute.
The three-day event has been blessed with perfect weather and large crowds – especially yesterday and today – with thousands of people descending on the ‘military village’ near the iconic Liver Building.
Gary Doyle, Chairman of the Battle of the Atlantic Memorial Trust – and a former senior naval officer – is delighted at how the weekend has panned out.
“I think it’s been fantastic and gone spectacularly. The event has gone from strength to strength and Liverpool has really embraced it. And look at the performance of the military personnel over the weekend – out of this world.”
Three days of Battle of the Atlantic commemorations have ended in Liverpool with organisers and public equally delighted by the maritime spectacle.
A ‘parade of sail’ by merchant vessels and flypast from a Swordfish torpedo bomber to the sound of the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland performing a Beat Retreat brought the curtain down on three days of events remembering the longest, hardest battle the Royal Navy has ever fought and, crucially, won.
The final day of 80th anniversary commemorations focused on remembrance, beginning with the dedication of a memorial to the often-overlooked sacrifice of more than 400 Poles who never returned home.
Polish consul general Michał Mazurek joined veterans groups in unveiling a memorial to his countrymen who served in the Atlantic in warships – such as the destroyer Błyskawica or legendary submarine Orzeł – merchant vessels and also with the RAF’s Coastal Command.
That was followed by a traditional drumhead service on Liverpool’s waterfront - from where warships and merchant vessels once sailed to run the U-boat gauntlet in the North Atlantic.
A forest of flags and standards from veterans groups – numbers bolstered by the annual gathering of the Royal Naval Association in the city – rose above spectators who saw, first, the Battle of Britain’s Memorial Flight make its third appearance of the weekend, then the Swordfish performing its first of two displays of the final day.
Attention then shifted to Exchange Flags – the imposing office block complex which houses the Western Approaches Command, headquarters of the Atlantic battle - where around 1,000 sailors (British, French, American from the three major warships attending events on the Mersey) veterans’ groups and cadets began their march through the heart of the city before passing a small number of veterans, who took the salute.
The three-day event has been blessed with perfect weather and large crowds – especially yesterday and today – with thousands of people descending on the ‘military village’ near the iconic Liver Building.
Gary Doyle, Chairman of the Battle of the Atlantic Memorial Trust – and a former senior naval officer – is delighted at how the weekend has panned out.
“I think it’s been fantastic and gone spectacularly. The event has gone from strength to strength and Liverpool has really embraced it. And look at the performance of the military personnel over the weekend – out of this world.”
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Here is another video, specially made for the Battle of the Atlantic memorial charity. It is entitled How Broad Is The Sea?
It packs a lot into just eight minutes and has a strongly human theme - remembering the families waiting and hoping.
It packs a lot into just eight minutes and has a strongly human theme - remembering the families waiting and hoping.
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The Twitter feed for Navy Wings led me to this:
80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic
“The Battle of the Atlantic was the dominating factor all through the war. Never for one moment could we forget that everything happening elsewhere, on land at sea or in the air, depended ultimately on its outcome.” Winston Churchill
More pages:
Battle of the Atlantic 80
The Crucial Role of the Swordfish
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures
Escort Carriers operating Grumman Martlet Fighters
The MAC Ships
The Swordfish - Anti Submarine Warfare
80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic
“The Battle of the Atlantic was the dominating factor all through the war. Never for one moment could we forget that everything happening elsewhere, on land at sea or in the air, depended ultimately on its outcome.” Winston Churchill
More pages:
Battle of the Atlantic 80
The Crucial Role of the Swordfish
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures
Escort Carriers operating Grumman Martlet Fighters
The MAC Ships
The Swordfish - Anti Submarine Warfare
As the civvy ATC liaison person for BoA50 at Liverpool in 1993, I watched the flypast standing on the bridge roof of HMS Cornwall, which was moored at the Pier Head. Some you older hands may recall these names that I was involved with : Commodore Chris Craig, Lt Cdr Hugh Deuxberry & Lt Sean Walsh (the latter two now sadly deceased) . It was a priviledge to be there - on the practice day I was able to have a chat with a guest ex rating who'd been on the Russian convoys - what a story !
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