The Coronavirus outbreak has led to the cancellation of the main national VE75 events which had been planned for the bank holiday weekend of 8-10 May. It is hoped that it will be possible to move events already planned to the weekend of 15-16 August to celebrate both VE and VJ days.

Despite what our President would have you believe I am not old enough to have witnessed either VE or VJ Days. Nor, can I begin to imagine how those that witnessed VE Day felt after almost 6 years of war that had cost the lives of millions, destroying families, homes and cities around the world.

With Berlin surrounded, Adolf Hitler had committed suicide on 30 April 1945. His successor, Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz, negotiated an end to the war with the Allies, but the rivalry between the Soviets and other Allies, resulted in 3 separate surrender ‘ceremonies.’ Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery accepted the surrender of German forces in the Netherlands, northwest Germany and Denmark on 4 May; three days later Supreme Allied Commander General Eisenhower accepted the unconditional surrender of all German forces at his headquarters in Reims, France; and, on 8 May, the Germans surrendered to the Soviets in Berlin.

General Alfred Jodl signs the surrender document at Eisenhower’s headquarters in Reims, France

The German surrender had been anticipated for some time and people across Britain were on standby to start celebrating the end of the war. The end of the war in Europe was broadcast to the British people late on 7 May, and the following day was declared a national holiday.

News of the German surrender

Many didn’t wait to start the party. Bunting and flags soon lined the streets of villages, towns and cities across Britain, and on the eve of VE Day, bonfires were lit, people danced, and the pubs were full.

Revelers in London

Tuesday 8 May dawned with many events organised to mark VE Day, including parades, thanksgiving services and street parties. At 3pm Churchill made a national radio broadcast in which he cautioned people not to forget that the war in the Far East was not yet won.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill addresses the nation

Huge numbers of people surged down The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and their daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, appeared on the balcony to wave to the cheering crowds. The King and Queen made eight appearances on the balcony and were joined by Winston Churchill at one point. Meanwhile, the two young princesses were mingling anonymously in the crowds below.

The Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace

The celebrations continued well into the night. The largest crowds in Britain were in London, but people all around the country took part in the parties, singing and dancing, and many bonfires and fireworks were lit to mark the occasion.

A street party in Leamington Spa

News of the end of the war in Europe quickly spread around the world, and people of the British Empire and the Allied countries wanted to celebrate. The time difference meant that in New Zealand and in the Soviet Union, VE Day was officially held on 9 May. In the United States, celebrations were dampened by the recent death of President Roosevelt, but despite this, there were still scenes of great rejoicing and in New York, 15,000 police were mobilised to control the huge crowds that massed in Times Square.

Times Square, New York

In Australia, there were mixed emotions with the war in the Far East and Pacific still being fought, and many Australians were serving overseas. While in Paris, huge numbers of people flocked to the centre of the city to celebrate. And in Halifax, Canada, thousands of soldiers, sailors and civilians looted liquor stores – which had been closed for the VE Day holiday!

Not everyone celebrated VE Day. Amidst the street parties and rejoicing, it was also a time for reflection and mourning - for loved ones lost - and for worrying - about those still serving overseas. For some, the celebration of VE Day was too much to bear and not something they could take part in. For many others, the fatigue and hardships resulting from six years of war, and the knowledge there were more difficulties yet to endure, left them little energy to celebrate.

Exhaustion after almost 6 years of death and destruction

For members of the Allied forces still serving overseas on VE Day, the occasion was bittersweet. Although it meant victory in one theatre, the war was not yet over in the Far East and Pacific. And for those based at home, the mammoth task of returning forces from overseas, including the repatriation of prisoners of war, was just about to begin.

A Lancaster of 630 Sqn

Shifting from offensive operations, Operation EXODUS - the repatriation of POWs - had begun for 57 and 630 Squadrons on 2 May. While in some ways a joyous task, this must have been a laborious process with a maximum of just 24 POWs able to be carried in each aircraft.

On 8 May, when the VE Day celebrations were in full swing, eight 57 Squadron and seven 630 Squadron aircraft were tasked to fly to Juvincourt in the Aisne department of northern France, returning with a total of 355 POWs who were delivered to the reception centre at RAF Dunsfold.

Dunsfold Aerodrome - Air Arrival Centre

Dunsfold was designated an “Air Arrival Centre” where No. 2 Hangar was decorated with flowers to welcome the troops home and a medical inspection tent was set up. Between the 15 April 1945 and 25 June 1945, 47,529 ex POWs passed through Dunsfold Aerodrome. On one day alone - 9 May - 160 aircraft delivered 3,953 personnel.

After arriving back at East Kirkby, the Station Commander, Group Captain B A Casey, called a parade for 1430 hours so that at 1500 hours personnel could listen to the broadcast by Winston Churchill. This was followed by a short service led by the Chaplain, Squadron Leader the Reverend George Dunbar.

The Squadrons were to get their holiday the following day - 9 May - which the Operational Record Books note as ‘VE Day - no flying’. Over the period 2-15 May 1945, 57 and 630 Squadrons together repatriated a total of 2110 POWs to the United Kingdom.

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