The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest and arguably the most decisive campaign of the Second World War and ran throughout the entire six-year conflict.
One of the most important factors of the Battle of the Atlantic was logistics and, more pertinently, the ability of Britain to maintain vital supply routes through its North Atlantic shipping routes.
This year will mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic and Liverpool will be hosting a series of events to commemorate the commitment and resilience of the brave men and women who ensured Britain and its allies overcame the malignant threat of Nazi Germany.
READ MORE: Full list of Battle of the Atlantic commemoration events in Liverpool
Merchant and naval ships will sail into Liverpool next week to begin three days of tributes and celebrations including the arrival of the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Defender and other vessels who will all arrive on Friday (26 May) morning.
HMS Defender will be joined at Liverpool’s waterfront with the French frigate Bretagne, and Trinity House Vessel Patricia. The American destroyer USS Ramage will also call into Liverpool during the weekend.
The vessels will accompany other events on and over the Mersey and sailors and crew will disembark and join in events onshore. HMS Defender and the Bretagne will be open to visitors, welcoming members of the public on board throughout Saturday May 27 and Sunday May 28.
As part of our coverage of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, a series of family-friendly, free events have been planned around Liverpool that pay tribute to the bravery of all the service personnel involved in the historical and pivotal conflict played out on the Atlantic ocean.
BoA80 Lecture 5 – Cammell Laird: World War II to the Present Day
Linton Roberts, Group Chief Technology Officer at Cammell Laird, will navigate a journey through the iconic Birkenhead shipyard’s history.
Speaker will shed light on the build up and response to war in the 1930s and 40s, to the yard’s 21st century vision and purpose as it is today.
St Nick’s Church, Tuesday May 23, 5:15 - 7:00. Admission is FREE, but guests must register in advance.
Blowing a Raspberry at Hitler: A Story of WATU, the WRNS and the War at Sea
Written and performed by the LJMU drama department, this excellent dramatisation explores the story of the women of the Western Approaches Tactical Unit (WATU) at Western Approaches.
The play is funny, poignant, and well researched and highlights the breathe of the WATU genius.
Wednesday 24th – Friday May 26. 7.30pm. Admission is FREE, but guests must register in advance.
Flypast times for the BoA80 weekend - Pier Head, Liverpool
Navy Wings and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to Liverpool during Battle of the Atlantic Commemoration weekend.
All flypasts will follow the River Mersey, with good visibility from both sides of the river. The planned flypast times are:
Friday May 26
12:11 – 12:16: Flypast (North to South) Swordfish, BBMF, Poseidon
19:00 – 19:08: Swordfish display
Saturday May 27
11:00 – 11:10 Seafire and Swordfish formation display
11:50 – 12:05 BBMF (Lancaster, Hurricane, Spitfire) Flypast (3 passes)
13:15 – 13:30 (Lancaster, Hurricane, Spitfire) Flypast (3 passes)
15:00 – 15:10 Seafire and Swordfish formation display
Sunday May 28
12:30 – 12:45 (Lancaster, Hurricane, Spitfire) Flypast (3 passes)
13:50 – 14:00 Swordfish display
17:20 – 17:30 Swordfish display
Johnnie Walker at Bootle Town Hall
Although not a native son of the Liverpool, Captain Frederic John ‘Johnnie’ Walker is very much one of Liverpool’s heroes.
Johnnie Walker lived on Pembroke Road in Bootle from 1941 after he was given command of HMS Stork – part of the 36th Escort Group guarding convoys of merchant ships crossing the Atlantic.
You can find out more about this unconventional hero, and why his bravery and ingenuity were vital to the city’s – and the UK’s – survival, by visiting our special pop-up display at Bootle Town Hall.
It is open to visitors on the second and fourth Friday of every month between 10:00am - 16:00pm and runs until the end of May 2023.
Venue: Bootle Town Hall. Admission is FREE.
BoA80 weekend of fun and military village
The BoA80 village includes a riverside 1940s-themed military village, ships open to visitors, flypasts over the Mersey by historic aircraft.
There will also be a Britain Memorial flight, loads of FREE family activities with kit from the Royal Navy, Army, and RAF, charity stalls, food, cadet bands, 1940s music, dance, and other pop-up performances.
All based on the Mersey Waterfront at Pier Head and running throughout Saturday 27th and Sunday May 28th. Admission is FREE.
HMS Defender and The Bretagne ships open to visitors
Fantastic opportunity to get on and explore some Naval Warships and should be of interest to anyone with an interest in naval history and also those with good sea legs!
Your tour will take in a visit to both vessels and is available Saturday May 27th between 10:00am - 16:00pm. Access from Gate 4 at the Cruise Liner Terminal, Pier Head. Admission is FREE.
BoA80 bus tours around Cammell Laird shipyard
Part of the Battle of the Atlantic 80 events programme, this is a great opportunity to get unique insight into the history and evolution of Cammell Laird Shipyard.
Departing from the car park at The Engineering College at Monk’s Ferry, you will take a unique ride through the iconic Birkenhead shipyard’s history.
Tours will run Saturday May 27that 11:00am, 12 noon, and 13:00pm. Just select your preferred time from the FREE ticket options.
Drumhead service at Mann Island
The culmination of the BoA80 weekend. Muster at Mann Island / Pier Head. With music from His Majesty’s Royal Marine Band Scotland.
Sunday May 28th and service starts at 12:00pm.
March for the Medals
MARCH FOR THE MEDALS, will step off from Exchange Flags, following Castle Street, James Street, and The Strand towards the Cruise Liner Terminal at Pier Head.
BoA veterans will take the salute at Princes’ Parade and there will also be a flypast during the march, at around 13:50pm.
The March on Sunday May 28th at Exchange Flags – Princes Parade and will get underway from 13:30pm, will conclude by 14:15pm.
The Convoy Sails
Gather on the Mersey waterfront for a spectacular and moving event to close the BoA80 commemorative weekend.
With Merchant and Naval vessels plus a convoy of support from the Mersey’s maritime community, and a beat retreat from His Majesty’s Royal Marine Band as they sail.
Flypast display by Navy Wings Aircraft at 17:20pm.
Mersey waterfront on Sunday May 28th from 1700 and the event closes at 17:30pm.
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