Tick Tock
8/5/26
What was VE Day?
On the 8th May it is the Anniversary of VE Day. Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day for short, was a day of celebration when the 2nd World War was finally over. The Nazi’s had been defeated!
The 2nd World War began in September 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. It lasted 6 long years, ending in 1945. The world was fighting the Nazi’s from Germany and also the Japanese, who both wanted to build Empires and take over the countries surrounding it. It was a terrible war.
In Europe this county, along with the other ‘Allies’ were fighting Hitler and the Nazis. The Nazis invaded many countries in Europe and wanted to invade many more, including this country. They killed many soldiers in battle. They bombed cities using aeroplanes over head. They killed millions of Jews.
The 2nd World War had affected every single person living in this country over those 6 years. Life completely changed.
VE Day was the day everyone was waiting for. Hitler had died and the rest of the Nazi’s finally surrendered. The war in Europe was over! People gathered together all over the country to celebrate. People danced in the street. They had parties, they waited to be reunited with their family members who had been away fighting. In London, the King and Winston Churchill appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
The war in Europe had ended. Sadly the war in Asia did continue for 3 more months. Finally on the 15th August 1945 the Japanese surrendered too. It was called VJ Day, or Victory in Japan Day. The 2nd World War was finally totally over.
Winston Churchill waving to the crowds in London on VE Day 1945
World War Two went on for six long years. There were many events throughout the war, but here is a brief summary of some of the most significant from this country’s point of view…
Winston Churchill became Prime Minister
When the war began in 1939 Neville Chamberlain was Prime Minister of this country. On the 10th May 1940 Winston Churchill became Prime Minister, and led the fight against the Nazis for the rest of the war.
Dunkirk
By 1940 the Nazis had invaded many countries. The Allies were pushed further and further back by the Nazi invasion, until many troops were stuck on the coast of France with no where left to go. With the Nazis getting closer an evacuation at Dunkirk saved many of the soldiers, with boats from Britain crossing the English Channel to rescue them and taking them back to Britain. Even civilian boats helped with the rescue.
The Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain was a battle fought in the air between the British Royal Air Force and the German Air Force, called the Luftwaffe. It happened between July 1940 and October 1940. It was a battle to protect the skies over Britain, and prevent the Nazis from invading. The Royal Air Force won this battle and it was a major defeat for the Nazis and a turning point in the war.
The Blitz
Between September 1940 and May 1941 the Nazis sent planes over and dropped bombs from the sky over many cities in this country, including London, which was hit by bombs almost every night at one point. These bombs killed people, destroyed peoples homes and made life miserable for everyone. This was called the Blitz.
D Day
On the 6th June 1944 the Allies invaded France to save them from the Nazis and push the Nazis back into Germany. This was called D Day and was a very important event in the war. The Allies were now winning the war.
Nazis Defeated
On the 25th April 1945 Berlin the capital of Nazi Germany was surrounded by the Allies. On the 30th April, Hitler realising the war was lost killed himself. Then on the 7th May the rest of the Nazis surrendered. The War in Europe was over.
''Never was so much owed by so many to so few.'' A Winston Churchill quote we still remember today.
British troops line up on the beach at Dunkirk to await evacuation.
The Battle of Britain was an incredibly important battle for our country.
London under attack during the Blitz.
D Day represented by toy soldiers. The battles during the war were terrible. But this battle was a huge turning point.
Photos and illustrations in this blog post are Whizzbots and Public Domain Images.