Cunard Line's Queen Victoria will join the Battle of the Atlantic 80th anniversary commemorations in Liverpool.
The ship will berth at the city’s Cruise Terminal on June 3 during a Round Britain voyage. Her call to Liverpool will follow a weekend of events in the city region to mark 80 years since the Battle of the Atlantic.
Liverpool played a key role in the Allied success in the battle. From 1941, Derby House on Rumford Street was the headquarters of the Western Approaches Command Centre, which controlled the defences of British shipping. It is now the Western Approaches Museum.
READ MORE: Full list of Battle of the Atlantic commemoration events in Liverpool
The longest continuous battle of WWII, the Battle of the Atlantic saw the Allied and Axis powers fight for control of the ocean. Throughout the war, the Allies worked to secure Britain's merchant shipping, bringing vital goods in and out of the country.
As an island nation, the United Kingdom relied on more than a million tons of imported materials every week to survive and counter the enemy threat. As Britain's main transatlantic convoy port, Liverpool had a crucial role, receiving 1,285 convoys during the war.
Dozens of Cunard ships and hundreds of officers and crew joined perilous transatlantic convoys, sailing under the deadly threat of attack by German U-Boats.
A tactical unit was established at Derby House in 1942. The team looked at the tactics used by Hitler's U-boats - submarines which were used to target British shipping.
By mid-1943, Britain had effectively neutralised the U-boat threat, meaning Britain marks the anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic in May. Liverpool will host the 80th anniversary commemorations over the weekend of May 26-28 this year.
Cunard's losses will be marked at a special Cunard Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Liverpool Parish Church on the day of Queen Victoria’s call.
The Rector of Liverpool, the Revd Canon Dr Crispin Pailing, said: “The maritime histories of Liverpool and Cunard are entwined, and the Battle of the Atlantic forms a remarkable chapter in both. We look forward to welcoming guests joining our Service from Queen Victoria as we remember the sacrifices made by so many serving the Merchant Navy at sea as well as those working ashore during the war years.”
Angus Struthers, Senior Vice President at Cunard said: “In times of national need, Cunard ships and their crews have served the nation throughout our 183-year history, never more so than during World War II. Liverpool will forever be regarded as Cunard’s spiritual home and we are honoured that Queen Victoria’s call, and our Service at the Parish Church, can form part of the very special international events taking place to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic.”
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