The summer of 1945 was one that remained in the memory of all those who witnessed it. It brought an end to nearly six years of war in Europe and beyond. A war that cost the lives of millions and destroyed the homes, livelihoods and families of almost all that experienced it. Millions of people across Britain rejoiced in the news that both Germany and Japan had surrendered, relieved that the intense strain of ‘total war’ was finally over. In towns and cities across the country, people marked the victory with street parties, dancing and singing.

Using rare archival footage from IWM’s unique collection, this flipbook brings to life that celebratory summer.

IWM has managed a Film Archive since it was first established in 1917. The constantly growing collection extends to over 23,000 hours of moving images, representing a wide and diverse range of material from public and service information films, documentaries and unedited combat film, through to official newsreels and amateur films.