Merseyside was the most important port in Britain outside London during the Second World War. It was a vital route for military equipment and supplies to the country, and so the ‘Western Approaches Command’ headquarters were transferred from Plymouth to Merseyside in February 1941. The headquarters were based deep underground beneath the Exchange Buildings. Western Approaches Command received intelligence information from the Admiralty and the Air Ministry, and was responsible for protecting supply ships as they entered the port.

The docks were also home to important munitions factories and naval ‘U-boat hunters’ were stationed at Bootle. Heavy bombing had immobilised London’s port facilities, and so the Mersey became even more important to the British war effort. The Luftwaffe (German air force) therefore began to target Merseyside.

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