VE Day 8th May 1945: How the Guards celebrated the end of the war

In Britain, Winston Churchill announced the formal end of the war with Germany on 8th May 1945. A nation that had endured war for 6 years rejoiced.

But for many Guardsmen, it was another day on the road or dealing with defeated German soldiers. They occupied a port and guarded ships, crossed into Austria, and witnessed an early cold war dispute in Trieste.

In London, they joined the crowds and celebrated in the streets.

[ross.venner]

2:45 - I recall a relative of mine telling me that he had a confrontation with Yugoslav partisans near Trieste. They stole one of his sections Bren Guns and he opened fire. So sad for men on either side to die after the war was over.

[naajohnnorthcott]

My father (corporal, military police, somewhere in Germany) celebrated VE Day by getting drunk and blowing all the windows out of his billet with his Sten.