Let Us Remember… 75 years ago
75 years ago, all over the Free World people celebrated Freedom and Victory !
On 8 May 1945, thousands of people gather in Trafalgar Square, London, to mark VE-Day, celebrating the Allied victory over Germany and the end of the Second World War 
People singing in London on May 8, 1945 
This is an aerial view of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on VE Day, May 7, 1945, shows thousands of French people celebrating the announcement of Germany’s unconditional surrender to the Allies. British, American and French servicemen mingled with the crowds who sang and danced throughout the night. 
Parisians march through the Arc de Triomphe jubilantly waving flags of the Allied Nations as they celebrate the end of World War II on May 8, 1945. German military leaders signed an unconditional surrender in Reims, France, on May 7. 
Staff Sgt. Arthur Moore of Buffalo, N.Y., who was wounded in Belgium, stands on 42nd Street near Grand Central Station in New York Monday, May 7, 1945 as New Yorkers celebrate news of VE Day, victory over Nazi Germany 
This general view of Times Square, New York, was made at 11 a.m. on May 7, 1945, and shows New Yorkers jamming the streets to cheer the news of the unconditional surrender of Germany
The first step towards the end of a war that started on 1 September 1939 and killed 73,000,000 people, civilian, military from the Allies and the Axis, was signed 75 years ago today in Berlin, Germany.
From the Battle of El-Alamein (Egypt ) that occurred on 23 October 1942 when British Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery beat Rommel, the German army suffered defeat after defeat and retreated on all fronts until April 25, 1945, when Soviet and Anglo-American troops made their junction in the middle of Germany, on the Elbe River in Torgau.
Hitler, hidden in his Berlin bunker, with his last group of followers, committed suicide on April 30.
His successor, Dönitz, then tried to negotiate a separated peace with American General Walter Bedell Smith, Chief of Staff to General Dwight David Eisenhower (54), Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces Europe, but soon gave it up and resigned himself to a general unconditional surrender.
Thus, with the full powers of Dönitz, Jodl signed Germany’s unconditional surrender on 7 May 1945 at 2.41 a.m.
The cessation of fighting was set for the following day, 8 May, at 23.01 hours, until the necessary orders could be communicated to all units.
However the Second World War would not be over until 2 September when Japan surrendered too (VJ Day)
Nevertheless let’s celebrate today the Victory of Europe on the Evil Axis, and never forget all those who died and suffered because some frustrated people decided to “purify” humanity, erecting their own race/culture as superior, and pointing to difference as enemy number one.
“Always forgive, but never forget, else you will be a prisoner of your own hatred, and doomed to repeat your mistakes forever.”
During these dark moments, some people kept on helping the war effort, sometimes anonymously, sometimes as Leaders.
The British Royal Family was among them, never hiding, always among the British People. When Buckingham Palace was bombed by the Luftwaffe, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, uttered one of her most famous comments:
“I am glad we have been bombed. Now we can look the East End in the eye.”
Queen Elizabeth
When some suggested that they should run away to a safer place, she was crystal clear :
“The children will not leave unless I do. I shall not leave unless their father does, and the King will not leave the country in any circumstances, whatever.”
Queen Elizabeth
Her Majesty The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, joined, as soon as she was old enough, the Auxiliary Territorial Service, where she trained as a mechanic, becoming the first female member of the Royal Family to join the Armed Services as a full-time active member.
When the guns fell silent on this day in 1945, Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret joined the jubilant crowds in central London — the future Queen attempted to stay anonymous during the celebrations by pulling her cap down over her eyes.
Princess Elizabeth at the wheel of anarmy vehicle while serving in the Military Territorial Service during the Second World War 
The Queen Mother talking to youngsters in London’s East End during a tour of areas damaged by Luftwaffe air raids 
Britain’s Prime Minister Winston Churchill, center, joins the royal family, from left, Princess Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth, King George VI, and Princess Margaret, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, England, on VE Day on May 8, 1945 
Winston Churchill waving to crowds in Whitehall on 8 May celebrating the end of the war
Winston Churchill, is on my opinion, one of the greatest political leaders as he was “the first to draw the sword against tyranny.”
As a French, I do not forget General de Gaulle who saved the honour of his country and people choosing to disobey and fight from London against the Evil forces.
Thank You ! We will never forget !
May Peace Prevail on Earth!
Masahisa Goi
