Throwback Thursday: Randolph reacts to V-E Day

May 10, 1945 

Randolph Times

RANDOLPH — Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, the United States of America, Britain, and Russia Monday, May 7 to bring the European phase of World War II to an end and give the Allies a crowning triumph of a complete conquest over the world’s mightiest military machine that five years and eight months ago  plunged Europe into the bloodiest and most awful struggle in the history of mankind.

Americans rejoiced as the war came to an end 2,319 days after that sorrowful day in 1939 when Germany’s aggression in Poland finally brought a reluctant declaration of war from Britain and France. 

The mightiest military machine on earth had been liquidated or surrendered, but not before the countries of Europe had been subjected to the most widespread destruction of lives, homes, churches, and industry in all history, while humanity was degraded to an all time low.

Casualties among troops and civilians in the European War exceeds 40 million persons. 

While all Americans rejoiced, and air of solemnity and a subdued note prevailed as the nation realized the terrific price in men that victory Europe cost and overshadowing all the celebration and  the manifested gratitude to the Divine Providence for the victory was the sobering thought that the war is only half won and that an even greater struggle lies ahead in the Pacific.

Randolph residents rejoiced with the  rest of the nation, but the uppermost thought in most homes on V-E Day was of the five Randolph men who paid the supreme sacrifice in the European struggle and now lie buried in the cemeteries of that continent and in Africa. 

Nearly 100 Randolph men or former Randolph men served in the European campaigns. 

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