[Magdalen] V-E Day

[Roger Stokes]

David,

I suspect VE Day may have been more significant here in Europe and VJ 
Day more significant in the USA.  For Europe the War started in 
September 1939 with the invasion of Poland and then of most of the rest 
of the continent. For just over 12 months (June 1940 to June 1941) 
Britain was the only country actively confronting the Germans and being 
attacked by them. In June 1941 Hitler rashly attacked Russia, tearing up 
the non-aggression pact that had been in force until then. The 
liberation of Europe in 1944-5 was what mattered most to Europeans. It 
wasn't until VJ Day that the USA was able to avenge Pearl Harbour.

Roger

On 09/05/2020 05:46, cantor03--- via Magdalen wrote:
> Yesterday was the 75th anniversary of V-E Day, the defeat ofGermany in WW-2.
>
> I was thinking about that date and other related events and Irealize there are fewer and fewer of us who recall thelive details. of those days.
>
> Though I was only 4 years old, I do remember the details of
> where I was and how my mother told me about the eventon December 7, 1941.  Interestingly this occurred just a weekafter the completion of the nave of Saint John the Divine, NYC..(The clergy of the Cathedral were reported to have "wept for joy"on visualizing the complete vista from west doors to high altar).
>
> I recall vividly the details of finding out about the Invasion of NormandyJune 6, 1944, but I do not remember this V-E Day.  I was swimmingin Big Wood Lake, Wisconsin when I observed my mother somewhatunusually walking the length of our 100' pier to inform the swimmersthat they had announced the ending of WW-2 - V-J Day.  I was 7.That was on August 14,1945.
>
> My question to my parents about the end of WW-2 was to inquire"what the newscasters would have to discuss on air" with the warover and gone.
>
> This Covid business has not helped first hand memories of those warevents for many, I'm afraid, with so many older people dead.
>
> David Strang.