SPONTANEOUS LONDON

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 135, 9 May 1945, Page 5

SPONTANEOUS LONDON

EARLY CELEBRATIONS CROWDS "SEEK KING (N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (Rec. 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 7. This has been a (lav of suppressed excitement which finally glided into a night of joyous celebration. The scenes witnessed in many of the capitals in Europe were late this afternoon repeated in London—one of the first capitals to feel the full weight of German air power and the last to celebrate the end of its trials. All day there was tense expectancy that the eagerly awaited news would announce the' end of the war. As the hours/dragged by flags began to appear all over the city until one could not walk 50 yards without seeing thf> bunting of alh nations. Behind everyone's mind were memories of those long nights of the autumn and winter of 1940-41, of nights when London glowed rosily to fires all down the Thames, when people went to their shelters as an ingrained habit, and when it seemed ultimately that there never had been a • time when raids had not been the normal routine of life.

And then there was the period of tho flying-bomb when the booming roar of those robot weapons and the crash of their explosions seemed like the note of the devil himself.

Finally, there was the abrupt roar of the rocket bombs which momentarily shattered thought and speech and set the nerves twitching. And all the time lives were being lost under heaps of > rubble and stone.

Now today at long last all this has certainly ended and the people of this proud city, after days of patient waiting, put out their flags and followed the colours into the streets and rejoiced. UNORGANISED CELEBRATION. Officially VE-Day is to be observed tomorrow, but the British people care little for organised celebration and they began tonight. "While in the suburbs of London people put the finishing touches to decorations the like of which have not been seen since Coronation year, and then stood gossiping in little groups- outside their houses, other 'streamed into the West End. It was not long before the public houses closed, reserving their supplies for the comiug clays, but in the streets the celebrations grew and thrived, particularly in Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, while outside Buckingham Palace a large crowd collected to chant, "We want the King!" * At the New Zealand Forces Club « a notice was soon posted in tho bar : '.'Sold out. You have had it, chum !" And the place soon became deserted. The Fcrnleaf Club was also deserted for New Zealanders, like everyone in the heart of London, had gone to "see the sights." A stone's throw from the New Zealand Forces Club in Leicester Square was a dense crowd who bad taken over the streets completely and in the, middle of the Square was a happy bunch of Maoris happily chanting their songs while curious Londoners looked .on and said: "They are mayorees!"

Everywhere there were uniforms, including the uniforms of all the Allies, and, whether it was called "mafficking" or not, they were enjoying themselves.

There was hardly a policeman or a military policeman to be seen, but two smartly turned-out A.T.S. policewomen who found themselves in Leicester Square were heartily kissed by two sailors while men and women cheered and whirled rattles to cover their embarrassed blushes. SEA OF HUMANS.

In Piccadilly Circus men climbed high up the lofty lamp-posts and any car that was foolish enough to attempt to drive through did so with every inch of its structure covered with bodies. Buses honked as, laden and well lighted, they crawled at a snail's pace through the wandering, goodnatured and hearty crowd. Here and there little groups of men and women, with arms around each other's shoulders, jigged a dance, singing anything they could think of: "Knees Up, Mother Brown" and "Roll Out the Barrel". A man on top of a car raised his hands above his head as a boxer acknowlcding plaudits and everyone cheered. Once out of Piccadilly Circus the crowd thinned, but reaching the Mall by way of St. James's Palace the crowds were soon found again walking to or from Buckingham Palace.

And there was to be seen such a crowd as had not been witnessed for years. They swarmed vst to the high iron railings and all over the memorial directly in front of the gates, alternately singing, "Oh, Why Are We Waiting?" to the tune of "0, Come All Ye Faithful," or calling "Wo want the King" ; or cheering as someone shone a strong torch on the Royal balcony;, giving hope that it would be floodlit and Their Majesties would appear. But they did not appear at least at that time.

Fresh cheers were raised when an aircraft, with its navigation lights burning, flew over St. James's Park and dropped coloured flares.

Now and again two solitary London bobbies remonstrated with a few high-spirited persons who were climbing statues by remarking: "Hi, you ain't supposed to be up this 'ere statue. Come dalm." BRIGHT LIGHTS.

Along the Birdcage Walk to the Houses of Parliament there was a steady stream of people. There Big Ben had his four faces lit up and minds went back to that night when it was once framed by the fires_ ol burning London. But tonight neither here nor anywhere was there any floodlighting which is being reserved for the official celebration. Bright street lights shone outside Scotland Yard and there was a knot of people at the entrance to Downing Street. A remark, "No, that ain't Winnie's car" was eloquent of the disappointment. Trafalgar Square was packed with dancing knots, and down on the river boats were hooting their sirens until well past midnight. There were a few solemn notes in the midst of the merrymaking. Many persons bowed In thanksgiving in Westminster Abbey and the pilgrimage to the Unknown Warrior's Tomb was endless.

A thanksgiving service was held at St. Paul's, where the Lord Mayor, Liverymen, Aldermen, and Sheriff's from the City of London, without wearing their robes of office, attended. The Cathedral was packed with hundreds of businessmen and office workers.

The Poles held no festivities which they have postponed until they are able to return to Poland, though they are excited by the knowledge that General Bors is on his way to London.