The Year of the Convoy (2013)
To mark the 70th anniversary of this historic event, the Royal Navy, supported by representatives from the Merchant Navy and other maritime organisations, held a series of events across the UK during May 2013. The main focus of activity was Liverpool, although there were a number of events elsewhere, including London and Londonderry and a special Arctic Convoy event at Loch Ewe. The Merchant Navy Association (Wales) Annual Service at Cardiff Bay took place on Saturday 18th May and the Merchant Navy Association (Wales) Barry Branch Annual Service this year during the Year of the Convoy is on Saturday 21st September 2013.
MN SILVER BADGE
“They had a small silver badge -the letters MN with laurel leaves-and meaning the wearer was in the Merchant Navy. They had as much pride in wearing that small badge, as did men in the services in wearing their uniforms”.
Battle of Atlantic 70th Anniversary:
ReplyDeleteThe Battle of the Atlantic was the dominating factor all through the war. Never for one moment could we forget that everything happening elsewhere, on land, at sea or in the air depended ultimately on its outcome. The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous military campaign of World War II and resulted in the loss of some 30‐40,000 Merchant Navy personnel and around 5000 ships. The turning point in the campaign for the Allies was (Black May) May 1943 when German submarine losses became unsustainable.
Battle of the Atlantic History:
After the fall of Europe the main supply route for the continued prosecution of the war was between the United States / Canada and the UK via the North Atlantic. Ultimately, it was the success in the protection of this vital sea corridor by the defeat of the German surface and U‐boat threat that enabled the massive logistic build up that led to success in North Africa, at D‐Day and then through to the fall of Germany..
“More than any other campaign in our nation’s history, the Battle of the Atlantic reminds us of our enduring dependency on the sea for our survival. The sacrifices made by courageous seafarers from both sides of the Atlantic, to feed and fuel our island nation, are remembered with pride and gratitude” Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope GCB OBE ADC – First Sea Lord.
From the Merchant Navy Association National via MNA (Wales):
ReplyDeleteWe have just received official word that Her Majesty the Queen has approved a national Merchant Navy Medal.
The Shipping Minister is due to issue a statement tomorrow, Merchant Navy Day.
Further information regarding the medal will follow.