By Jeffrey V. Moy, North Jersey History and Genealogy Center
News of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender to the Allies and Red Army near Berlin on Tuesday May 8, 1945, led to celebrations in Europe and the United States.
The Daily Record noted that since they had acknowledged themselves beaten absolutely, “it will be difficult for post-war Germany to recreate a legend of the so-called invincible army being stabbed in the back.”
Signing the act of surrender on Germany’s behalf fell to Field Marshall Wilhelm Keitel, Admiral General von Friedeburg, and Air Colonel General P.G. Stumpf, with Air Chief Marshall Sir Arthur Tedder signing on behalf of General Eisenhower and Marshal Gregory Zhukov representing the High Command of the Red Army.
In Morristown, large crowds attended combined “patriotic and religious services of thanksgiving” for loved ones in service overseas, with some congregations holding separate services.
Most stores, restaurants, and taverns closed at noon in honor of the Allied Victory in Europe over Nazi Germany, and area schools held special ceremonies before classes ended.
Nationwide, some businesses and schools remained open due to a delay in the official announcement of “V-E Day”; war factories remained operational.
Rabbi Joseph J. Ehrenkranz led services for 150 members of the Jewish Community Center in which he passed on a note from Rabbi Maurice Perizweig, who was out of town, stating that “this is an hour of rejoicing but that there is a long road ahead to have a complete victory.”
A special “Victory in Europe” edition of the Daily Record included messages of congratulations from local businesses and organizations, as well as a historical overview of the war, and reminders to continue supporting the unfinished work against Imperial Japan and its allies. The cover illustration depicted the flags of allied nations decorating the Statue of Liberty’s torch, which itself symbolizes “liberty enlightening the world”.
The V-E special edition of the Daily Record recounted Germany’s descent into fascism, fueled by the nation’s humiliating defeat in World War I and the economic and social turmoil that followed. Nazi adherents sought unity and strength by constructing a homogenous social order disdainful of democracy in favor of scientific racism, antisemitism, and nationalism.
Daily Record reporters drew from their years-long coverage of German aggression and the resulting war to trace its strategic missteps, America’s entry into the conflict following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and the ultimate defeat of Nazism. Sponsored ads congratulated American troops and our allies overseas, while reminding civilians that the war was not yet finished until Japan and its Pacific allies were defeated as well.
A history of the Allied victory
Instability and panic during the 1920s and 1930s offered the far-right National Socialist party the opportunity to seize power within the German government. Jewish persecution ensued, in addition to Communists, ethnic minorities, gays, and other ‘non-Aryan’ citizens.Despite early decisive victories, Germany accumulated a growing number of military losses that revealed the fallibility of its widely touted ‘unbeatable’ military forces, particularly as Allied opposition consolidated and grew.
Stating America’s oversea interests
Both Morris County’s Democratic and Republican Committees joined local businesses and organizations in thanking Americans for their part in securing victory in Europe, while underscoring that “we are here to liberate, not subjugate” and reminding readers that the war is not won until Japan also surrenders.
Putting Nazism in its proper place
Morris County businesses added their congratulations and thanks to those who stopped the ‘master race’ from continuing its “bloody march across Europe”. During these early days of victory, most Americans did not yet know the full extent of the Nazi’s atrocities towards those they considered inferior and, thus, an impediment to their greatness.
Honoring the sacrifice of America’s veterans and war dead
Business leaders tempered the celebratory atmosphere with a reminder of the region’s soldiers who had been killed, wounded, held prisoner, and reported missing, while urging citizens to keep buying bonds to fund the war.
Domesticity and a return to normalcy
Images of motherhood and idyllic domestic life accompanied some messages as many Americans looked forward to welcoming home the men and women who were serving overseas, including husbands who were deployed during the birth of children. After a crippling Great Depression, years of social and economic uncertainty, and a costly brutal war, the ‘return to normalcy’ became an increasingly common theme in popular media.Family pets also looked forward to the return of their beloved owners; this dog looks happier most of the babies pictured.
Work left to be done
After four years of conflict Americans could not afford to become complacent despite its victory over Mussolini and Hitler as long as Emperor Hirohito still proved to be a threat in the Pacific, according to this ad.During World Wars I and II, Americans contributed to the war regardless of whether they served in the military. This ad acknowledges those who worked overtime, donated blood, purchased war bonds and paid higher taxes that paid for victory, and to those who did their part to stay in touch with those in service to ‘remind them what they were fighting for’.
Sources:
Historic Newspaper Collection, North Jersey History & Genealogy Center, Morristown & Morris Township Library
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Thank you. Really enjoyed this information.
Great work.
Ed