Memorial to the Battle of the Atlantic, Ebrington Square

Image: © David Dixon Taken: 26 Sep 2017

The Battle of the Atlantic https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Atlantic was the longest continuous military campaign in World War II, running from 1939 until the end of the war with Germany in 1945. At its core was the Allied naval blockade of Germany, announced the day after the declaration of war, and Germany's subsequent counter-blockade. It was at its height from mid-1940 through to the end of 1943. The Battle of the Atlantic pitted U-boats and other warships of the Kriegsmarine (German navy) and aircraft of the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) against the Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Navy, United States Navy, and Allied merchant shipping. Derry was home to many of the destroyers and frigates involved in the Atlantic battle. Its westerly position meant that it was the most strategic and important of four UK ports for the Allied forces battling the U-boat threat to the Atlantic convoy lifeline. As an island nation, Britain depended on the sea lanes, and Ulster's strategic position put it in the frontline of keeping the supply lines open The memorial, called “the International Sailor” was unveiled by Prince Michael of Kent in 2013. The statue at Ebrington Square of a young, uniformed sailor carrying his kit bag is a replica of another in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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