VE Day Anniversary Lunch and Talk
Our VE Day 80th anniversary event begins with a fish and chips lunch. This is followed by a talk by Mike Cooper and Richard Marks on the collapse of Germany in 1945.
The Collapse of Germany in 1945
8th May 1945 marked the formal end of World War Two in Europe, when the allied nations accepted the final unconditional surrender of Germany’s armed forces. Why did Germany’s armed forces, the same army and air force which stormed through Europe in 1939 and 1940, collapse ? What was different in 1945 from 1940 when Germany controlled most of Europe, other than the neutral nations such as Sweden, Spain and Switzerland? Military and Industrial Historians Mike Cooper and Richard Marks will examine the situation in 1945 and reveal why Germany was defeated.
The war in the Far East would continue to rage for another three months, but that is another story…
To Book
Pre-booking is required, ticket sales end three days before the talk. If you have any allergies or require a vegetarian or non-fish option – please advise us of this during the booking process. We will then contact you separately about alternative options. Please note this event begins at the earlier than normal time of 1pm.
To book – scroll down.
Image: Germany surrenders ‘Published by Photographic Arts, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Date
- Thu 08 May 2025
Time
- 13:00 - 15:30
Tickets
- £12.00
Location
- 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3BQ
Organiser
-
The Centre - Berkshire FHS
-
Email
booking@berksfhs.org.uk -
Website
https://berksfhs.org/branches/
Speakers
-
Dr Richard MarksIndustrial, Military and Railway HistorianRichard is a published historian based in Berkshire who specialises in industrial, military, and railway history and also the history of science. His current areas of research are industrial development in the Victorian period, the development of the railway and canal systems in Britain in the mid to late 19th Century and the history of British Rail. He has a PhD in economic history. Richard’s books on British Rail Engineering and the Wantage Tramway Company were both both published by Pen and Sword in 2024.
-
Mike CooperMike has had a lifelong interest in history, especially military and local history. Following a history degree at the University of Reading he worked as a librarian, with both the University and Reading Library. In addition to work on librarianship, he has had three books on the history of Reading published. Mike works for Reading Borough Council, and lives in Tilehurst with his wife and Moggy the Cat.