One day conference to shine expert insight on the history of the Battle of the Atlantic

As part of Liverpool’s commemoration of the Battle of the Atlantic this May, the Centre for Port and Maritime History is to host a one-day conference in association with the Battle of the Atlantic Memorial Trust, considering the history and legacies of the battle 80 years on.

Hosted by Dr David Clampin, subject leader for History at LJMU, speakers from academia will be joined by serving officers of the Royal Navy for the event which takes place on Saturday 20 May, from 9.30am to 6pm. Delegates will consider the legacies of that theatre of war with a particular focus on intelligence and anti-submarine warfare.

The conference will be hosted at the Merseyside Maritime Museum, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AQ and event registration is now open.

Speakers include Captain Sean Ryan (The Maritime Warfare Centre); Dr Jayne Friend (Portsmouth); Dr David Kohnen (Naval War College, USA); Dr Sarah-Louise Miller (Oxford); Dr James W E Smith (KCL); and Rear Admiral James Parkin CBE.

Full papers and registration can be found on Eventbrite.

Liverpool and the Battle of the Atlantic

May 1943 marked the climax of the longest, largest and most complex battle of the Second World War and Germany conceding defeat at sea. Liverpool played a key role throughout the battle with the headquarters of Western Approaches Command based in the city.

Liverpool has therefore become the focal point for remembering the battle down the decades and LJMU will mark the 80^th anniversary alongside events for its own bicentenary throughout 2023.

Other ways that LJMU will mark the Battle of the Atlantic 80^th anniversary

LJMU is working closely with the trust, as a partner throughout the year, to support its programme of other community, national and international outreach events and opportunities planned to mark the anniversary.

Drama students have been working closely with the Western Approaches Museum and have already performed an adapted play Blowing a Raspberry at Hitler: A story of WATU, the WRNS and the War at Sea, based in part on Simon Parkin’s book A Game of Birds and Wolves to an audience earlier this year. It is anticipated that a re-worked version of the production will be performed for the wider public during the main commemorative events taking place across the city in May.

The students are also set to perform an immersive show Secret Life of a Wren at the museum itself this month.

Experts from the LJMU Maritime Centre are scoping out an interactive display opportunity with the Western Approaches Museum and other opportunities to celebrate LJMU’s maritime links throughout 2023.

LJMU 200 years of history and heritage – looking back and navigating the future

LJMU has its own unique ties with the maritime history of Liverpool. In 1852 it opened its Nautical School and College, reflecting Liverpool’s status in the 19th century as one of the world’s leading ports.

Since then, LJMU has developed its education and research offer dedicated to the maritime sector, through specialised courses offered at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, which also houses the LJMU Maritime Centre, connecting industry regionally and internationally to plug future skills gaps.

Maritime ties will be celebrated this year as LJMU marks its own milestone anniversary. Celebrating our bicentenary, always ahead of our time.