Ruth Buse

Remembering the end of the war in Germany

My grandmother was only 10 years old at the time and her memories are blurry but she recalls that her family’s house in the city had been completely destroyed by bombs. Fortunately, they found shelter with friends who lived in a nearby village. However, news of VE Day was slower to reach more rural areas and there was also a slight feeling of uncertainty which is why they all hung white bedsheets out of their windows as a sign for peace and surrendering.

The feeling associated with this memory is one of great relief and happiness that the war had finally come to an end.

Shared by Steffi Buse, her granddaughter