- Author
- Gregory, Mackenzie J.
- Subjects
- WWII operations
- Tags
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- RAN Ships
- HMAS Australia II
- Publication
- September 2001 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
Prior to actually entering the Ops Room, there is a list of all the ships involved that played a part in the Battle of the Atlantic, I was pleased to note that my first ship HMAS Australia was acknowledged as one of the participants in this battle against U-Boat supremacy.
I stood and gazed up at the huge plotting wall where no doubt the name of HMAS Australia was shown whenever we took part in a convoy operation somewhere in the Atlantic ocean, so long ago.
I was pleased that I had been able to visit this area that had played such an important role during WW II.
Western Approaches Tactical Unit
This unit was housed at Derby House.
A large plotting table could take 24 players, and the Directing staff could simulate a convoy escorted at sea, and its defence when both threatened and then attacked by U-Boats.
The Director, Captain Gilbert Roberts, Royal Navy, and his staff, devised tactics codenamed Raspberry, Pineapple, Beta Search, Step Aside, etc, all designated to combat and outwit specific German submarine tactics and moves.
Roberts would sum up a session, saying “It is the war of the little ships, and the lonely aircraft, long patient, and unpublicised, our two great enemies… the U-Boats and the Cruel Sea.”
Nicholas Monsarrat, as a young Lieutenant, did not forget this summing up, he recalled his tactical course, and wrote about it in his now classic book, The Cruel Sea.
Escort Commanders and Coastal Command Staff all came together here for WATU courses.
Liverpool Docks
During my wartime spells in Liverpool amidst its miles of docks, it was a vital, vibrant port.
By 1993, container ships had taken over, and the docks of Liverpool were silent, I walked some miles along the Dock Road, empty and showing signs of a great deal of decay.
The overhead railway that I had used and remembered, used to span much of this area, gone, now totally dismantled.
Liverpool, 50 or more years on, but a shadow of its former glory.
I preferred to recall the Liverpool I knew so long ago, standing up to the full fury of the German Blitz, its proud people, bloodied, embattled, but never to know the meaning of “giving up, or surrender.”
I had been back, and I had remembered.
“I salute you Liverpool! Without your victory in the Battle of Atlantic, total victory would not have been possible.”