MOOSE JAW — Editorials celebrating the end of the war in Europe and an article with comments from the King were some stories the Times-Herald featured in its May 8, 1945, special edition.
This is part four in a four-part series commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, commonly known as Victory in Europe Day (VE-Day).
Victory Day in Europe
“Victory Day! Victory in Europe over the Nazism of (Adolf) Hitler and his foul breed. Victory after five years and eight months of fighting against the most evil force ever unleashed against the human race,” an editorial said.
In giving thanks for the “deliverance from our enemies,” the editorialist encouraged residents to approach God’s heavenly throne “in (a) humble and contrite manner,” praying that the victors would be worthy of the victory and of bringing the justice of right “into a wasted and chaotic Europe.”
Moreover, that day was a solemn national thanksgiving to God, who guided the Allied nations through the storm and led them into the calm of peace.
“We have been delivered from the shackles of Nazi slavery, from the horrors of Hades of which we have read … . Thanks be to God for such deliverance,” the editorial noted.
Continuing, the editorial said that Germany’s leader had put his trust in might and waged a war that was “more merciless, more hideous and more cruel than that unleashed by any barbarian despot in history.” Yet, the world mounted its strength to remove Hitlerism and Nazism from the earth.
VE-Day was a time of retribution for Germany since all Germans knew they would pay for supporting or condoning what their government did, the editorial said. After all, compared to the sympathy people showed the Germans on Nov. 11, 1918, Nazism merited no sympathy since it was incompatible with permanent peace and the ideal where individual freedom was assured and fear of the oppressor had ceased to harass humankind.
“Self-determination is assured to all nations, great or small, but Germany must establish her right to enter that family of nations … ,” the editorialist said. “It is the task of the United Nations to restore order out of chaos and it can only be done with a firm hand.”
The editorial added that citizens should also thank God for all Allied workers who, during the monotony of factory life, worked day and night to produce war material to make VE-Day possible.
His Majesty’s Empire message
An article featured comments from King George VI, which he uttered during a worldwide broadcast on VE-Day.
With the “dreadful shadow of war” passing far from citizens’ hearths and homes, they could now pause for thanksgiving before turning their thoughts to the task of bringing peace to Europe and the world, he said.
The King remembered those who died during the war, saluted those who fought for the victory and thanked those who served at home while “shouldering their many burdens.”
“In the darkest hours, we knew that the enslaved and isolated people of Europe looked to us: their hopes were our hopes; their confidence confirmed our faith,” he said. “… we did not falter and we did not fail. We kept faith with ourselves and with one another … .”
The King said he was comforted that those six years of darkness and danger in which the children of Britain and the Empire grew up were over forever. He added that the Allies’ efforts would be considered a failure and the blood of those killed would be in vain if the victory did not produce a lasting peace.
This is part 4 of 4 in a series.
