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Michael Dawe: Vital victory over Germany marked by massive parade

Friday is an important anniversary in world history.
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Teachers from Central School in Red Deer celebrating the end of the Second World War in front of Martha Peden Beatty’s house on Monday, May 7, 1945. When the War in Europe ended, a three-day school holiday was declared in Red Deer. Note – two of the teachers (on the right) are wearing lampshades as hats. (Red Deer Archives P2156)

Friday is an important anniversary in world history.

On May 8, 75 years ago, the Second World War came to an official end in Europe. As such, the occasion became widely known as V-E (Victory in Europe) Day in 1945.

After the successful landing of the Allied troops in Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, it became apparent that a victory over the German forces was not only possible, but probable.

Confidence grew in the succeeding weeks and months as the Allies pushed their way across northern France and into Belgium and the Netherlands, towards the German border.

It was success that came with a great cost of life. From Christmastime 1944, until the spring of 1945, 17 young men from Red Deer and area lost their lives overseas.

Some were killed in the battles in Normandy, France, and in the Battle of the Scheldt in the Netherlands. Several more were killed when their planes were shot down in missions over German territory, often on bombing raids.

Nevertheless, there was ample evidence that the war was indeed coming to an end. In February 1945, the authorities announced that the large A-20 army training camp in Red Deer would soon be closed.

The facility would then be turned into a rehabilitation and vocational training centre under a federal program for returned veterans.

As the spring of 1945 progressed, increasing numbers of veterans returned home. There was also joy at the news that some of the prisoners of war from central Alberta had been freed from the German PoW camps and would soon be heading home.

By the end of April, people realized that the fighting in Europe would soon be over.

On April 28, 1945, there was news that Benito Mussolini, the Fascist dictator of Italy, had been executed by Italian partisans. Shortly thereafter, there was word that the hated Adolf Hitler had committed suicide in Berlin on April 30.

Plans were soon underway for local Victory Day celebrations. On Sunday, May 6, 1945, at 6:41 p.m., the German army unconditionally surrendered to the Allies at a schoolhouse in Rheims. Word of the surrender reached Red Deer in the early morning radio broadcasts.

By 8 a.m. on Monday, virtually everyone had heard the news. Some stores opened briefly, but most did not open at all. School children were dismissed from classes immediately after the morning roll call and were told that they were to have a three-day school holiday.

Local government officials were concerned about the possibilities of over-exuberant celebrations. Consequently, the government liquor store and the local beer parlours were closed for two days.

Everywhere there was great jubilation. Many people gathered on the streets. Large numbers flocked to their churches for services of thanksgiving.

On Tuesday, May 8, the official V-E Day (a special national holiday), the formal civic celebrations were held. A large parade proceeded up and down Ross Street before coming to an end on the Civic Square (now City Hall Park).

Despite the cold weather and brisk wind, a crowd of more than 1,000 turned out to hear the speeches of the dignitaries and the choral presentations. Mayor Harvey Halliday declared that Wednesday, May 9, would be another (civic) holiday.

The federal government also declared Sunday, May 13, to be a day of prayer and national thanksgiving. All the churches reported overflow crowds for the services.

Tragically, fatalities of local young men still on active service were not yet over.

Word was received that LAC Wilfrid Farrow of north Red Deer had drowned following an aircraft accident in Newfoundland on May 10.

The next day, Flight Lieutenant Thomas Cameron of Sylvan Lake was killed when his plane crashed five kilometres northwest of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Although hostilities were now over in Europe, the war in the Pacific continued.

That did not end until Aug. 14, 1945, when Japan surrendered. The next day, Aug. 15, was officially designated as V-J Day. The Second World War was now finally over.

Red Deer historian Michael Dawe’s column appears Wednesdays.