Ross and District branch of the Royal British Legion recently recalled the profound impact and significance of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, which marked the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945, culminating in a bittersweet end to the European conflict of World War II.

The saga began in 1936, when the Nazi Party ascended to power in Germany. The onset of World War II was signaled by the invasion of Poland by Nazi forces in September 1939. This act of aggression instigated Britain and France to declare war on Germany, a conflict that would eventually embroil over 50 nations and necessitate the deployment of more than 100 million troops.

The devastating toll of the war was enormous, with Russia experiencing the highest number of both military and civilian casualties, ranging from an estimated 22 to 27 million lives lost. China recorded the second-highest casualties, estimated at around 20 million, though the figure is hard to validate due to potential overlaps with the concurrent civil war.

Britain too faced the grim reality of war, suffering approximately 880,000 casualties. This amounted to 6% of the adult male population and a staggering 12.5% of those in service.

However, it's essential to remember that these figures are approximate at best. The turmoil of war made the task of accurate record-keeping nigh impossible, as nations rose and fell, borders shifted, populations moved, and a great number of soldiers were either killed, wounded, captured, or declared missing in action.

Despite these harrowing statistics, the world found cause for celebration on the 8th of May 1945. It was on this day that the representatives of the Allied High Command accepted Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender, marking the much-awaited VE Day. This victory, however, was mindful of the ongoing battles in the Pacific and Burma, which would not conclude until later in August and September of the same year.