75 years ago, today, marked the day Germany surrendered to the Allies after six years of war. Following D-day, the allies were now surrounding Berlin. Hitler was dead and his successor authorised General Alfred Jodl to sign the unconditional surrender.
The news broke on the night of the 7th May and a wave of relief and joy spread through the nation, the war would soon end and a time of privation, austerity and death would be over and good times would soon come.
Bonfires hitherto banned by blackout regulations, music and jollity could be seen in Britain, people secure in the knowledge that the bombs would not fall that night. Bunting appeared as cloth rationing rules were relaxed, red, white and blue bunting could be purchased without using ration coupons.
The royal family appeared on the balcony and later Churchill joined them as the people rushed the gates jubilantly demanding to see the King. The Princesses appeared but later slipped away to join the crowd themselves, incognito, as in the face of such public joy, the rules were relaxed.
After the celebrations it’s important to note that it was not the end of the war, just the war in Europe. Men and resources were soon concentrated in the Pacific. The Japanese did not surrender until August 1945.
Is that my hat ?