Home alive in ’45 was the watchword of US troops as they headed into Germany in the spring of 1945, although I imagine that many of them could not quite believe it. Then it was all over. Hitler added to his lengthy murders by killing himself on April 30, and his successors wasted no time in putting an end to a hopeless struggle. V-E day was celebrated in Europe on May 7 and in the US on May 8.
Not all Americans celebrated. Those fighting in the Pacific realized their war was far from over, as Eugene Sledge, serving with the Old Breed (1rst Marine Division) recalled:
On 8 May Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally. We were told this momentous news, but considering our own peril and misery, no one cared much. “So what” was typical of the remarks I heard around me. We were resigned only to the fact the Japanese would fight to total extinction on Okinawa, as they had elsewhere, and that Japan would have to be invaded with the same gruesome prospects. Nazi Germany might as well have been on the moon.
The main thing that impressed us about V-E Day was a terrific, thundering artillery and naval gunfire barrage that went swishing, roaring, and rumbling towards the Japanese. I thought it was in preparation for the next day’s attack. Years later I read that the barrage had been fired on enemy targets at noon for its destructive effect on them but also as a salute to V-E Day.
One down and one to go for the US, eighty years ago today.
From the “Eisenhower” episode of American Experience:
McCullough: [voice-over] On May 1, 1945, Berlin fell to the Russians. Five days later, the German high command came to Eisenhower’s headquarters to sign Germany’s unconditional surrender.
Sgt. McKeogh, Eisenhower’s Orderly: Well, the night of the surrender, I had driven General Eisenhower down to headquarters for the signing. And it was late at night, it was 11:00. And after I got him there, he told me, he said, ”Maybe you better go back to the house and get me an egg sandwich,” which I did.
McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower waited in an adjoining office while the ceremonies took place. At 2:41 a.m., Germany surrendered. After six years of destruction and the death of millions, the war in Europe was finally over.
Albert Meserlin, U.S. Army Photographer: After the papers were officially signed, the Germans were taken out and all the Allied soldiers, they went into Ike’s office. And then the Germans were brought in, and Ike, in a very stern way, pointed to them and said, ”I hope you understand the terms of this treaty.” He wanted no part of them and that was it.
McCullough: [voice-over] After the Germans left, Kay Summersby saw Eisenhower’s face break into what she called ”the proudest grin of his career. ‘Come on, he said, ‘Let’s have a picture.”’ All of Eisenhower’s staff posed for a victory photograph, all except Mickey McKeogh, who was outside, still holding Eisenhower’s egg sandwich.
Sgt. McKeogh, Eisenhower’s Orderly: After the ceremony was over, I went in and asked him if he still wanted it, and he– probably it was too cool for him to eat at that time.
McCullough: [voice-over] Describing how he felt that morning, Eisenhower said, ”Like so many other men and women had been at war physically, exhaustion rather than exultation was my first reaction to victory in Europe. Before retiring, Eisenhower sent General Marshall a simple message: ”The mission of this allied force was fulfilled at 0241 local time May 7, 1945.”
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/eisenhower/#transcript
Thank you, Quotermeister.