Remembering Victory in Europe
As allied forces poured into Germany, and the Russians pushed from the east, the German army all but collapsed.
Learning of the impending defeat of his troops, on 30th April 1945, Hitler killed himself. Finally, the Nazi era ended.
Just a few days later, on Monday 7th May 1945, Germany surrendered to the United Nations, and the flags of freedom flew all over Europe.
Tuesday 8 May 1945 was officially named as Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, and with it came the end of six years of misery, suffering, courage and endurance across the world.
It was a jubilant time, with a party atmosphere across the country. Even the young British princesses Elizabeth and Margaret went out of the palace and joined in the wild celebrations on the streets, dancing a conga through London's Ritz Hotel before watching their parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Of course, the war for the US didn't end there, and in a speech addressing the nation the following day, the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill referred to the ongoing war in the Pacific: “We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing, but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead.”
Those efforts continued, with the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa resulting in horrific casualties on both sides, until the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, led to Japan's surrender shortly afterwards.
World War II had finally ended.
If you're in the vicinity of our nation's capital on Friday, May 8th, more than 40 vintage aircraft of World War II will fill the skies, in tribute to the 70th anniversary of V-E Day.
Fifteen flying formations will form up near Leesburg, Virginia, and follow the Potomac River south east toward Washington. The war birds will bank over the Lincoln Memorial, overflying the National World War II Memorial, heading east past the Washington Monument along Independence Avenue, before turning south as they pass over the National Air and Space Museum near the Capitol. The first formation is expected to fly just 1,000 feet over the Lincoln Memorial at about 12:10pm.
Biographer Ken Davis reflects on his time as a correspondent during that time in the old time radio show "Final Thrust - Victory in Europe" broadcast from the series the Eisenhower Years. General Dwight Eisenhower had moved his headquarters from England to France, a tent camp set up in an apple orchard, and from there he commanded all of the allied forces directing the war in Europe.
On RUSC Radio there is a poignant selection of old time radio shows to remind us of the courage and bravery of the fighting men and women who have served in the conflicts of the past century. Included are series such as Command Performance, Columbia Presents, This Is Your FBI, This Is War, and Family Theater.
Happy listening my friends,