The Battle of the Atlantic Research Partnership

On 5th November, we hosted an incredible meeting at Western Approaches HQ in Liverpool to launch the Battle of the Atlantic Research Partnership – a ground-breaking international collaboration between various organisations across Europe.

These groups, with decades of expertise in researching and documenting the ships and sailors of the Atlantic conflict, collectively hold millions of detailed records. For the first time, we welcome them all around the same table.

We have collectively pledged the following:

• Create a unified digital platform to consolidate and share pan-national data on ships, crews, and convoys.
• To ensure the contributions of non-European sailors, often overlooked in historical records, are given the equal recognition their sacrifices merit.
• To include data relating to Axis forces, to provide a complete and valuable historical data-set.
• To build a global network of volunteers to digitize and translate currently unrecorded historical records.
• To host annual conferences and events to foster friendships and ensure ongoing collaboration.

This resource will be hosted and funded by the new Battle of the Atlantic visitor centre due to open in Birkenhead in 2026 and freely available online to all.

Attendees at the first meeting included representatives from:

• Convoyweb
• Arkivet Peace and Human Rights Centre (Norway)
• Koopvaardijpersoneel 40-45 (Netherlands)
• Crew List Index Project
• Merchant Navy Association

This is just the beginning, and we’re inviting more organisations, researchers, and individuals to join us as we develop this vital resource.

Together, we’re honouring the sacrifices of those who served while creating a world-class visitor experience for future generations.

Stay tuned for updates as we bring this vision to life! Some big announcement are on their way.