V-E Day Anniversary
It was 70 years ago today that the Nazi government of Germany capitulated to the Allies in Berlin, it was also US president Harry Truman’s 61st birthday. He became president on April 12th when President Franklin Roosevelt died just a few weeks before Adolph Hitler committed suicide on April 30th. The surrender document had been signed on May 7th in Reims, France, and again in Berlin on May 8th (largely for the benefit of the Soviets, but it was May 9th in Moscow when it was signed, so that’s their traditional V-E day) by the German government headed by Hitler’s sole surviving successor, Reichspräsident Karl Dönitz.
Fighting continued in the East for weeks after the surrender, though, as German soldiers tried to get to the American and British zones of occupation instead of surrendering to the Red Army. Small German guerrilla units called Werewolf formed to resist the end of the war existed through the 1940s, mostly made up of Hitler Youth adherents who had known nothing but Naziism. The last German troops to surrender in the West, though, were on the Channel Island of Minquiers which had been bypassed during the war. The troops there surrendered to French fishermen on May 23rd.
Category: Historical
A great day to remember and to recommit to seeing it never happens again. Looking forward to the fly over here in D.C. today with some classic war birds.
I’m watching it on CSPAN.
The sad thing was that the *FIRST* thought that crossed my mind was:
“I wonder how many posers are dressed up down there…”
/and that pisses me off now.
None that I saw of on the VA side I was down by the river, a ton of people there and on the water. Beautiful sight. The Mustangs came in low over the river.
Saw the B-25 “Panchito” in the air here at Pax River NAS, doubtless headed to the fly-over. That bird is a frequent flyer here, and it’s radial engine’s noise is unmistakable.
Those Navy Test Pilot School bubbas get ALL the cool toys.
I’m sitting about a block from the National Mall, with a nice picture window view of the Mall. Should be a great show.
I’ll be thinking of my late dad who got to Africa in November 1942 and finally went home after Africa, Sicily, Italy and particularly Montecassino 36 months later.
Thanks, Pop! You’re my hero.
Your dad was there with mine. Yeah heroes all!
I’ll throw mine into the mix – was already in the Reserves so got called up 8 Dec 1941, landed a couple of days after D-Day at Normandy, helped liberate Dachau on its opening day, and wound up in the Occupation till ’46. (Ironically my second tour in Germany was at the kaserne in the same town he ran in the Occupation!) Great job, Dad!
I’m thinking about my late Uncle Bud (Deverle).
Taken prisoner in Tunisia on 17 Feb 43 while assigned to King Company, 168th Inf Reg, 34th Inf Div.
Placed into Stalag IIB (or one of the work camps) near Hammerstein, West Prussia. (Pomerania)
Returned to American control on 1 Jun 45.
“God alone knows how I worked and slaved to make myself a worthy leader of these magnificent men, and I feel assured that my work has paid dividends—in personal satisfaction, if nothing else…. I felt so unworthy, at times, of the great trust my country had put in me, that I simply had to keep plugging to satisfy my own self that I was worthy of that trust. I have not, at the time of writing this, done that, and I suppose I never will.”
From the last will and testament of Henry T. Waskow. Some of you recognize that name. He was Captain Waskow, immortalized in Ernie Pyle’s Pulitizer prize-winning account, “The Death of Captain Waskow.” Its opening lines are these: “In this war I have known a lot of officers who were loved and respected by the soldiers under them. But never have I crossed the trail of any man as beloved as Capt. Henry T. Waskow of Belton, Tex.”
Do yourself a favor this weekend. Here it is: http://mediaschool.indiana.edu/erniepyle/1944/01/10/the-death-of-captain-waskow/
For those interested, here’s a good account of the 11 Germans who surrendered last. They knew the war was over but were stuck!
http://www.ww2f.com/topic/13648-surrender-the-last-germans-to-give-up/
At least they surrendered to a Norwegian Navy officer. Could you imagine the ignominy of having to tell your grandchildren that you surrendered to a group of pêcheurs Français? (smile)
I’m in Reims and will be visiting the Museum of the Surrender.
So you’re touring the entirety of France? 😉
For anyone who is interested in the history of the US Military (primarily Army) in Europe between VE Day and the “end” of the Cold War, this is THE site to go to:
http://www.usarmygermany.com
Here’s some background on “The Best Years of Our Lives”, the film about post-WWII adjustments by veterans returning from the war.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-true-story-that-inspired-one-of-the-biggest-films-of-the-1940s/ar-BBjqu7l