Top image: V-E Day in front of Rainbow Corner, The National WWII Museum, 2008.537.063
On May 8, 1945, Allied forces formally accepted the unconditional surrender of Germany. Civilians and members of the armed forces took to the streets in the United States and Europe to celebrate V-E Day. Months before the iconic V-J Day in Times Square photograph was taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt, Staff Sergeant Jack Schwartz photographed the pure joy of British, American, and Chinese servicemembers along with British civilians gathering and dancing around London, England.
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Army Pictorial Service photographers perched outside of Rainbow Corner, The National WWII Museum, 2008.537.071 and 2008.537.061
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Private First Class McGaffin leads a conga line outside of 35 Davies Street, The National WWII Museum, 2008.537.083-.084
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A National Revolutionary Army soldier was able to join the crowd, The National WWII Museum, 2008.537.073
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While the crowd dissipated by the end of the afternoon, several American servicemen continued to celebrate well into the night
Staff Sergeant Schwartz was a member of the Army Pictorial Service and assigned to the 3113rd Signal Service Battalion. He was called to active duty in early 1943 and was in Germany by late 1944. After less than a year in mainland Europe, Schwartz was sent back to England, just in time for V-E Day. Schwartz and his camera traveled to Rainbow Corner, the name of the American Red Cross near Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace to capture the joy and relief of London.
Kylie Hewitt
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