IN THE coming days, I expect to see published in the Cape Times and other newspapers, chest-thumping, self-congratulatory articles from Russia’s diplomatic officials, touting the Red Army’s glorious WW II victory over Nazi Germany, ending with the final surrender of German forces on May 8, 1945.
Historically, May 8, 1945 has been commonly known as “VE-Day”, (Victory in Europe), since Germany’s surrender to Red Army forces that day officially marked the end of hostilities in the European Theatre of Operations.
However, the Russians have always preferred to call it, “The Great Patriotic War Victory Day”.
Of the many USSR/Russia commemorations of “Victory Day” I have noted over the years, I often thought it strange that scant credit had been afforded the US or the other Allied nations, despite each having…