A pivotal moment in world history unfolded in Berlin on a warm Tuesday night in 1945. Senior representatives from Britain, France, the USA, the Soviet Union, and Nazi Germany gathered in the Soviet-controlled suburb of Karlshorst to sign a document that had been drafted nearly 18 months earlier. It was the unconditional surrender of Germany, signalling the end of the Second World War in Europe, a conflict that claimed the lives of around 80 million people, both military and civilian. On VE Day 80, we pause to remember them.
In the weeks and years that followed, justice was pursued for those responsible for war crimes. One such figure, Nazi signatory Wilhelm Keitel, would face execution after the Nuremberg Trials. But on that historic May evening in 1945, the focus was not on punishment, it was on peace and relief. After six harrowing years of war, the people of Europe finally had cause to celebrate. A celebration long overdue.
In this reflective blog post, EV Sales looks back at the events that led to VE Day, honouring the sacrifices made by so many and celebrating the hard-won peace.
The Road to VE Day – A Century Shaped by War
On 11 November 1918, the guns fell silent across Europe as the First World War ended. Known as “the war to end all wars”, the devastation it caused led many to believe such conflict would never be repeated. Sadly, that hope was short-lived. Harsh reparations imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles created widespread poverty and resentment, providing fertile ground for extremist ideologies to take root.
In 1919, a young Austrian veteran of the Great War named Adolf Hitler was sent to investigate a new political group, the German Workers Party. Impressed by what he saw, and quickly recognised for his fiery and passionate disposition, he joined the party and began a rise to power that would eventually reshape the world. The group would later evolve into the Nazi Party.
Rise of the Nazis – From Chancellor to Dictator
By 1933, Hitler had been appointed Chancellor of Germany. He swiftly defied the Treaty of Versailles, rebuilt the military, and began enforcing a brutal and exclusionary ideology. In 1938, Hitler turned his attention outward, aiming to reclaim territory lost after the First World War. While the annexation of Austria was met with little resistance, his occupation of parts of Czechoslovakia raised alarm. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain even claimed to have secured “peace for our time” after receiving personal assurances from Hitler that he would not launch a full-scale assault on Czechoslovakia. Yet, Hitler invaded and took control of the whole country soon after, and the world stood by.
In 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, agreeing not to attack one another and to divide Poland between them. On 1 September 1939, Germany invaded Poland. This time, the response was different. On 3 September, Britain issued an ultimatum. By 11am, no reply had been received. Britain was once again at war.
Six Years of Global Conflict
Though initially quiet on the Western Front, an uneasy period dubbed the “Phoney War”, the German military was preparing for a broader assault. On 10 May 1940, Germany invaded the Low Countries. Within weeks, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France had fallen. German forces reached Paris, marking the beginning of years of brutal occupation.
The war expanded across continents. In the skies over Britain, the RAF held off the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain. In the East, Germany betrayed the Soviet Union, opening a second front. Meanwhile, after Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the United States entered the war, and the Pacific Theatre intensified. British forces fought Japanese troops in Burma and beyond, making the war truly global.
On 6 June 1944, the tide turned. D-Day marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe, as Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy. Locations like Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Pegasus Bridge became symbols of the fight against tyranny.
The Fall of the Third Reich
With resistance fighters aiding the Allies, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands were gradually liberated. After a failed German counteroffensive in the Ardennes, the Battle of the Bulge, Allied forces crossed the Rhine and pressed towards Berlin. On the Eastern Front, Soviet troops reached the German capital. The Battle of Berlin began in April 1945. By the end of the month, Hitler had taken his own life.
On 7 May 1945, Nazi General Alfred Jodl signed Germany’s unconditional surrender in Reims, France. However, the Soviet Union insisted on a formal ceremony in Berlin. On 8 May, the surrender was officially signed in the heart of the fallen Third Reich. The war in Europe was over.
Remembering VE Day at EV Sales
Countless families have personal connections to the Second World War, with stories of bravery, loss, and resilience passed down through generations. At EV Sales, we honour those stories, especially those close to our own team.
Our Marketing Executive, David, is proud of his grandfather’s role in the war. He served as Chief Petty Officer aboard HMS King George V, a Royal Navy battleship involved in the hunt for the infamous German battleship Bismarck in 1941. The Bismarck, a deadly threat to Allied naval forces, was sunk in a fierce battle on 27 May 1941, an event commemorated in books and films alike.
Although David’s grandfather rarely spoke about his wartime experiences, his legacy is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by so many.
From Battlefield to Business – Military Ties at EV Sales
Although decades have passed since VE Day, service to country remains a proud part of our story. Our Chairman, Hugh Edeleanu, served in the British Army’s Royal Engineers from 1974. Rising to the rank of Major, he was deployed during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, conducting bomb disposal missions in hazardous conditions.
Today, Hugh applies that same commitment and technical knowledge to the world of electric vehicles and sustainable energy, principles that align with a vision of peace and progress.
We are proud of Hugh and all our colleagues who have served, and we thank them for their courage and leadership.
VE Day 80 – Reflecting and Remembering
VE Day 80 is a moment for celebration, but also for deep reflection. While peace was secured in Europe 80 years ago, it came at an immense cost. It’s a stark reminder of the horrors humanity is capable of, but also of its resilience, unity, and hope.
As we look back, we do so with gratitude for those who gave so much. Their sacrifices laid the foundations for a more peaceful world. Let us honour them not just today, but every day, by remembering their stories and striving to build a better future.
*All information correct as of 8 May 2025
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