Victory in Europe Day remembered
Today Australians pause to remember the 78th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, the day when peace came to Europe after almost six years of war.
Following the signing of an unconditional surrender by the German High Command on 7 May, the Allies proclaimed 8 May as Victory in Europe Day, and Allied countries across the globe celebrated. The celebrations however were dampened by the understanding that the war with Japan in the Pacific was still to be won.
In Australia, thanksgiving services were held in churches around the country, while at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, more than 100,000 gathered to honour those who had served, and those who would not return home from the war.
Some 10,000 Australians lost their lives in the European and Mediterranean theatres of the Second World War, including more than 3,400 Australian airmen who were lost serving with the British Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command as part of the strategic bombing campaign against Germany: Australia’s costliest campaign involvement of the war.
On VE Day we honour all those who served in Europe, and across all theatres of the Second World War. Lest We Forget.