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Sources: End of War

The learning activities for the 'End of War' theme are based on the following stories and photographs. You can use the extracts as they appear on this page, or follow the links to read the full stories.

VE Day - 主播大秀 Front

Victory Celebrations and Epilogue

So despite all the adversity and disaster, we conquered over evil and were triumphant in the end and finally the glorious day came when the war was declared over. The incredible release from fear and pain had at last encompassed us and can only be described fully by those who experienced it. There was just sheer unadulterated jubilation with no order whatsoever despite the conspicuous absence of many alcoholic drinks. The masses were more intoxicated with Victory than with alcohol!

VE Day Celebrations and Reunions

Later in the evening we joined the crowds dancing around Bath Abbey until the small hours. Someone suggested going to London to celebrate there, so we caught the early morning train with a two hour journey to Paddington and somehow - tube, taxi, walking, I cannot remember - we made our way to St Paul's - the symbol of Britain surviving the Blitz. Hundreds of people were walking around.

VE Day - Trowbridge Celebrates

As we left school on Monday 7 May the teachers told us that if there was an announcement during the evening that Germany had surrendered there would be a holiday for the next two days. The announcement came - and no way were we going to school, but some children and one or two teachers obviously did not listen to the wireless. As we went into the town where bunting was already being put up we passed the school and there on the steps - with the doors locked - was a small queue of children and my teacher. We quite happily passed by on the other side of the road.

VE Day - Abroad

VE DAY and Belsen

On the night that most of the German Army capitulated we were playing in a theatre at Emsdetten. During the show some one came in at the back of the theatre and called out, 'The War is over!' With one accord, the whole audience rose to its feet and cheered madly, it was wonderful. I don't know how we finished the show, we felt almost choked with emotion. I shall never forget hearing during the interval hundreds of happy voices singing,'Take me back to dear old Blighty', it meant so much. Afterwards of course we heard that the war was not completely over, but I know that the whole company will always look on that day as being our Victory Day.

VE Day in Germany

It was the evening of the 8th May 1945. The cessation of hostilities was due to come into force at 00.01 hours the following day (in effect from midnight that very night). All the airmen, who were off duty, assembled outside the Hitler Youth hostel. Here we built a huge bonfire and we sat around drinking beer. The on-duty wireless operator sat just outside the W/T truck in an armchair, which had been 'organized' from the Gasthaus. With a Sten gun at his side he was doubling up as a picket as well as maintaining a radio watch. A few minutes before the very moment of the cease-fire, the festive atmosphere was shattered by a burst of gunfire. What appeared to be a hostile attack caused us to scatter and dash for cover in the hostel. Airmen appeared at the doors and windows armed with their personal weapons at the ready.

VE Day, As Seen from a Field near Venice

There we were, in this field in the middle of nowhere, when someone on another tank called out 'They're going mad back home, get the 主播大秀 on your set or you'll miss all the fun.' I tuned in my 19 set to the 主播大秀 Forces station and for the benefit of those outside the tank, hung all the earphones over the side of the hull. The crackle of the headphones soon drew a small crowd around the tank and we all listened in amazement to an unknown announcer describing the scene in Trafalgar Square. I remember quite clearly that my emotions at the time were mixed. On the one hand it was good to feel that perhaps some of my loved ones back home were taking part in the scenes that were now taking place, on the other hand I, and in hindsight, I'm sure most of my comrades, felt somehow cheated that we, who had 'risked life and limb' and had been away from home for so many years, were not there in England to share in the triumph.

VJ Day

VJ DAY 1945

In August 1945 I was six weeks away from my 12th birthday. I had always been aware of the war in Europe but I did not have much knowledge of the war in Japan. However VJ was something special. At the time of the surrender of the Japanese a party of Girl Guides from Wakefield, under the leadership of Miss Smallwood of Sandal, were camping at Langbar not far from Ilkley and Bolton Abbey. This was my first camp. Miss Smallwood announced the end of the war and told us we were to help build a giant bonfire at Beamsley Beacon, a high point on the hill above the camp. All day we collected up wood from a nearby plantation of trees. This was taken to the top by the farmer with a trailer and tractor. Other people and Scouts camping nearby must have built the fire. On the night of the official declaration of the end of the war we guides and others climbed up in the dark, each with a candle burning in a jam jar. It was said the procession could be seen for miles. At midnight the giant fire was lit. When all was over we returned to our tents, there was hot cocoa waiting for us.

VJ Day Remembered

In 1944 when I was only a baby my father was sent to Burma with the RAF. Mum kept a photo of him on the dressing table and as I began to talk I learned to ask God every night to keep Daddy safe. Then I said goodnight to the picture before I went to sleep. A long time later - it must have been about two years - I remember being carried downstairs wearing my little red dressing gown and being placed on the lap of a strange man. I was told it was Daddy. He said, 'You're a nice little girl, aren't you?' I believe I just said, 'Yes,' and went straight back to sleep!