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| Battle of the Atlantic: Liverpool marks 70th anniversary | Battle of the Atlantic: Liverpool marks 70th anniversary |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Liverpool is marking the 70th anniversary of The Battle of the Atlantic - the longest continuous military campaign in World War II. | Liverpool is marking the 70th anniversary of The Battle of the Atlantic - the longest continuous military campaign in World War II. |
| Twenty-five warships have sailed into port to mark the milestone. | Twenty-five warships have sailed into port to mark the milestone. |
| Liverpool was the destination of many wartime Atlantic convoys and home of the Western Approaches Command. | Liverpool was the destination of many wartime Atlantic convoys and home of the Western Approaches Command. |
| Ten of thousands of lives were lost during the battle, which fought for control of vital supply routes, beginning as war broke out in 1939. | Ten of thousands of lives were lost during the battle, which fought for control of vital supply routes, beginning as war broke out in 1939. |
| The climax of the battle was in May 1943, when Germany's submarine fleet suffered heavy losses in the Atlantic. | The climax of the battle was in May 1943, when Germany's submarine fleet suffered heavy losses in the Atlantic. |
| Aircraft flypast | Aircraft flypast |
| Skirmishes in the Atlantic continued until the war ended in 1945, but the Allies sank particularly large numbers of U-boats in May 1943, effectively winning the Battle of the Atlantic. | Skirmishes in the Atlantic continued until the war ended in 1945, but the Allies sank particularly large numbers of U-boats in May 1943, effectively winning the Battle of the Atlantic. |
| Its anniversary is being commemorated with a series of events over the bank holiday weekend. | Its anniversary is being commemorated with a series of events over the bank holiday weekend. |
| Merchant Navy veterans staged a procession from the Cunard Building at 11:30 BST to the Merchant Navy memorial at the Pier Head for a wreath laying. | Merchant Navy veterans staged a procession from the Cunard Building at 11:30 BST to the Merchant Navy memorial at the Pier Head for a wreath laying. |
| A Spitfire and Hurricane flew over the waterfront in a Battle of Britain memorial flight with a concert from the Royal Marines band at the Philharmonic Hall. | |
| Other events include a special service at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Sunday. | Other events include a special service at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Sunday. |
| It will be followed by a march to commemorate those who lost their lives. | It will be followed by a march to commemorate those who lost their lives. |
| Shipyard opening | Shipyard opening |
| Ships from the Royal Navy and around the world - some of which will be open to the public - are converging on the city for the commemorations. | Ships from the Royal Navy and around the world - some of which will be open to the public - are converging on the city for the commemorations. |
| The Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, which was vital to the battle as its 12,000 staff worked around the clock to build a warship every 21 days, will also open its doors for the first time in 20 years. | The Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, which was vital to the battle as its 12,000 staff worked around the clock to build a warship every 21 days, will also open its doors for the first time in 20 years. |
| Liverpool hosted the 60th anniversary events, during which nearly 2,000 guests, including hundreds of veterans and former merchant seamen, attended a memorial service at the cathedral. | Liverpool hosted the 60th anniversary events, during which nearly 2,000 guests, including hundreds of veterans and former merchant seamen, attended a memorial service at the cathedral. |
| The milestone was also marked in London and Londonderry earlier in May. | The milestone was also marked in London and Londonderry earlier in May. |