This silent film shows some of the events on May 8, 1945, Victory in Europe Day aka V-E Day, in London. The film was shot by I. Weiss according to a credit, with additional photography by J.Y. Saunders and F.V. Swanson. The film starts at :28 with large crowds and then at :33 moves to Trafalgar Square, where a sign on Nelson’s column says “Give Thanks by Saving” (:53). At 1:02, soldiers shake hands and do a small dance, while at 1:16 women in uniform wave scarves. At 1:22 an Israeli flag is seen. Possibly this denotes a synagogue or a rest house for Jewish military members. At 1:29 “flags of all allied nations” are shown draped on the BBC building. At 2:27 the antennas on top of the building are shown. At 2:40, crowds are seen at Piccadilly Circus. At 3:00, we’re on a rooftop with another newsreel cameraman. At 3:10 an airplane flies overhead. At 3:22 people march in lines. At 3:30 the “rainbow corner” with U.S. and British flags is shown. (During World War II, Rainbow Corner, the American Red Cross Club near Piccadilly Circus in London, was the most famous in the ETO. For 24 hours a day, every day, it was open to American servicemen from 11 November 1942 to 9 January 1946. In addition to extensive recreation facilities and programs, the club offered excellent food service.) At 4:14, crowds are seen gathering atop a “Savings Certificate” bedecked structure. At 4:24 a car carrying servicemen is shown with a flag being waved. At 4:43, people struggle to get atop the structure. At 5:15, a card says “Looks like Times Square” due to the incredible crowds. The film ends with some flyovers by aircraft including what appears to be a Dragon Rapide and an American flag waving in the breeze.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com