LONDON REJOICES

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22605, 9 May 1945, Page 3

LONDON REJOICES

CARES OF WAR BANISHED STREET CELEBRATIONS DANCING AND SINGING (Special Correspondent) LONDON, May 8 It was impossible last night for anyone who has lived in London throughout the war not to respond to the thrill of the moment. Behind everyone’s mind were memories of those long nights of autumn and winter of 1940 and 1941, of nights when London glowed to fires all down the Thames, when people went to their shelters every night as an ingrained habit, and when it seemed ultimately that there had never been a time when raids had not been the normal routine of life. Then there was the period of flying bombs, when the booming roar of these robot weapons and the crash of •their explosions seemed like a note of the devil himself. Finally, there was the abrupt roar of rocket bombs, which momentarily shattered thought and speech, and set nerves twitching. And all the time lives were being lost under heaps of rubble and stone. Now at long last all this has ended and the people of this proud city, after days of patient waiting, put out their flags, went into the streets and rejoiced. Early Beginning Officially, V-E Day is to be observed on Tuesday and Wednesday, but British people care little for organised celebration and they began last night. While in the suburbs London people put finishing touches to decorations, the like of which have not been since Coronation year, and then stood gossiping in little groups outside their houses, others streamed into West End.

It was not long before the public houses closed, reserving their supplies for the coming days, but in the streets 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 the bar: “Sold out; you’ve had it, chum.” Shortly afterward the place was deserted. The Fernleaf Club was also deserted, for New Zealanders, like everyone else in the heart of London, had gone “to see the sights.”

Maoris Chant Songs

A stone’s throw from the New Zealand Forces Club in Leicester Square was a dense crowd which had 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.

There was hardly a policeman or military policemen 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. In Piccadilly Circus, men climbed lofty lampposts, and any motorist who was foolish enough to attempt to drive through the crowd did so with revellers crowded all over his car. Buses crawled at a snail’s pace through the wandering, good-natured and hearty crowd. Here and there little groups of men and women, with arms round one another’s shoulders, jigged and danced, singing anything they could think of. Scene At the Palace

Once out of Piccadilly Circus the crowd thinned out, but reaching the Mall by way of St. James’ Palace the crowds were soon found again, walking to or from Buckingham Palace. There was to be seen such a crowd that had not been witnessed for years. They swarmed right up to the high iron railings of the Palace and all over the Queen Victoria Memorial directly in front of the ga,tes. Fresh cheers were raised when an aircraft with navigation lights burning flew over St. James’ Park and dropped coloured flares. Along Birdcage Walk to the Houses of Parliament there was a steady stream of people, and there Big Ben had its four faces lighted, and minds went back to that night when it was framed by the fires of burning London. There was no floodlighting during the night, as this is being reserved for the official celebrations.

Bright street lights shone outside Scotland Yard and there was a knot of people at the entrance to - Downing Street. Trafalgar Square was packed with people dancing, and on the Thames boats were hooting their sirens until well past midnight.

Tomorrow will come all the expected celebrations, but last night London enjoyed its spontaneous fling.