London expects victory news
Death casts shadow over triumph
Saturday, April 14, 1945
LONDON, England – Victory in Europe was near tonight but the Allies approached their triumph saddened and troubled by the death of President Roosevelt.
The British press believed the news of an Allied entry into Berlin and a junction with the Russian armies would come at any hour. It reported an air of “high expectancy” in all government offices.
Sunday morning newspaper headlines were in the same vein.
Called victory weekend
“This Is Victory Weekend,” said the Sunday Dispatch. The Times, in a three-column tophead, said, “Germans Unable to Save Berlin.” The Observer said, “News of first-class importance reached ministers in Downing Street yesterday and high officials who rarely are to be found in their offices on Saturday were on duty all day.”
The London News of the World, quoting an American broadcast, said that “entry into Berlin is imminent.”
Before next week is out, the United Nations may have their victory in Europe, but they also will have to adjust themselves to an American government lacking the leadership of President Roosevelt.
Churchill to speak
Prime Minister Winston Churchill will speak at least twice in Commons and possibly three times during the week.
Tuesday, as orator and a grieving friend, he will pay tribute to Mr. Roosevelt. Thursday he will review the climax of the war and tackle the ticklish Polish situation. Should final victory come, he may proclaim it to the House in still another address.
These appearances emphasize the increased burden which Mr. Roosevelt’s death has cast upon Mr. Churchill. Some observers believe that on the Polish issue he will be speaking as much to the United States as to Britain.
Mr. Churchill’s statement on Poland will be made after Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, now in the United States, has conferred with President Truman and reported privately to him.
Against this background, millions in Britain awaited the news that American and Russian armies had linked in Germany. Central London for 24 hours has buzzed with rumors that the Americans had already entered the German capital.
The London Evening Standard said that:
We are on the eve of tidings of really sensational events. News of the greatest importance is expected hourly in London. Some of these events may even already have happened. for published war news is behind the private dispatches which reach Whitehall from the generals in Germany.
The expectation in London today was that there will be news of:
One, entry of Allied troops into Berlin, or,
Two, the capitulation of the German Army.
The Evening Standard added that there was “no confirmation” that big events already had been reported to the government and were being withheld pending still more important information.
Cabinet ministers were in daily meetings, press dispatches said.
Generals and privates crowded into Grosvenor Chapel today for a memorial service to President Roosevelt. Hundreds of servicemen were turned away for lack of room conducted by three Army chaplains. Navy and Marine memorial services were held at St. Mark’s Church on Audley Street.