Flypasts over the River Mersey for 80th anniversary of…

Flypasts over the River Mersey for 80th anniversary of Battle of the Atlantic

Flypasts to commemorate all those who served in the Battle of the Atlantic will take place in Liverpool.

Over the weekend of 26-28 May, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, there will be a flypast by a historic Fairey Swordfish. It is one of eight that will take place over the eight days.

The Swordfish is the open cockpit, fabric biplane that was instrumental in protecting convoys that were transporting essential supplies.

Swordfish Mk 1 W5856, the oldest surviving Swordfish in the world, will flypast over the Mersey, during the unveiling ceremony of the Battle of the Atlantic Memorial, on Friday 26 May, in a poignant and memorable tribute to all those who served in the Battle of the Atlantic.

One of the last remaining links with the Battle of the Atlantic, the Swordfish is a rare and remarkable veteran of the campaign and an iconic part of the nation’s naval aviation heritage.

The Swordfish will also flypast during the Drumhead Service on Sunday 28 May, as a living memorial to all those who lost their lives in the icy waters of the North Atlantic.

Across the BoA80 weekend there will be a whole host of free family activities, on the Pier Head, from 10am until 6pm, on Saturday May 27 and Sunday May 28.

The BoA80 village includes a riverside 1940s-themed military village, ships open to visitors, equipment from the Royal Navy, Army, and RAF including Typhoon simulator, VR speedboat simulator, climbing walls, bungee runs, Spitfire replica, tanks, helicopters and vintage military vehicles.

There will also be cadet bands, drill and PT displays, 1940s music, dance, and other pop-up performances throughout the weekend. The BoA80 weekend concludes with a drumhead service and march for the medals Sunday lunchtime, and poignant Convoy Sails event on Sunday evening at 5pm.

A spokesperson for Navy Wings said: "The Battle of the Atlantic against the U-boat threat was the hardest fought victory in history, and it raged with ruthless intensity for the entire six years of the war.

"The Swordfish played a key role providing air cover for the convoys keeping the vital Atlantic life line open. Without this protection many of the convoys would not have reached the British Isles with their essential supplies.

"Much of the Battle of the Atlantic was fought and won from Liverpool and pivotal to the campaign against the U-boats was convoy protection by Royal Navy escort groups of corvettes, frigates and destroyers and aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm.

"Keeping the Swordfish flying over eighty years later is a living legacy to the spirit, endeavour and selfless commitment of everyone who served in the Second World War and the great price paid to keep the Atlantic ‘life-line’ open."

To find out more about Navy Wings and donate to keep the Swordfish flying visit navywings.org.uk.

Flypast schedule: