8 May 1945 marked the end of World War Two in Europe. The day was one of celebration in Britain and saw people coming together to enjoy the victory in streets up and down the country.
Jack Lyon was shot down in a raid on Dusseldorf in June 1941 and spent almost four years as a PoW. Marched west by his German captors from Stalag Luft III as the war drew to an end, Jack finally returned home on VE Day.
While Britons flooded into the streets to celebrate the end of war in Europe, the crews of Bomber Command remained cautious. Their minds turned to their comrades on the Eastern Front for whom peace was still some way off.
Ten days before VE Day was officially announced on May 8 1945, 22-year-old Eric Reedman was stationed in Brussels with 80 Wing. Eric tells us how he and his comrades heard the war was coming to an end before it was officially announced in England.
© 2019 Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF), registered charity in England and Wales (1081009) and in Scotland (SC038109)
Terms and conditions Privacy Accessibility Cookies Contact us
Website design by Headscape
In 2018, we helped more than 53,000 current and former members of the RAF and their families and there are twice as many who need our help.
Helpline: 0300 102 1919
