A Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Swordfish Mk.II LS326 plane, part of the Royal Navy Historic Flight, flying over British Royal Nay ship HMS Bulwark during an official Battle of the Atlantic (BOA) Reception, in Liverpool. In attendance were many survivors from Battle of the Atlantic which was the longest continuous military campaign in World War II running from 1939 until 1945. First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas was in attendance along with Fleet commander, Vice Admiral Philip Jones, and many other senior officers. Speeches were made by Captain Burns, who is the Captain of HMS Bulwark and The First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas. The reception gave Current and retired sailors the chance to swap stories and reflect on the past. The visit marks the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. British and Canadian vessels protected convoys of merchant ships heading for Britain. The outcome was a strategic victory for the allies, but at great cost to both sides: 3,500 merchant ships, 175 warships and the loss of 783 U boats.