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Second World War 1944-45

WREXHAM AND EAST DENBIGHSHIRE TELEGRAPH

19441945

GERMANY SURRENDERS

The war in Europe is over. Germany surrendered unconditionally to the three major powers early on Monday morning. The universal feeling of joy and thankfulness found spontaneous expression in the decoration of every town and village with flags and bunting. The war against Japan must be prosecuted with grim determination until the Asiatic aggressors share the fate which has overtaken the tyrants of the Western world.

(Wrexham Leader, May 11th 1945)

FORGOTTEN ARMY

Sir,

Out here in the jungles of Burma, the British soldier has been fighting under conditions I have no hesitation in saying are far worse than in any other battle front British soldiers have been called to fight on. We understand that the major issue is the defeat of Germany, but once that is accomplished, the 14th Army has the right to expect relief, but unless our MPs and other prominent men do something about it, we will remain, as always, the forgotten army.

A WREXHAM SOLDIER
Fourteenth Army

(Wrexham Leader, September 5th 1944)

PONCIAU MAN GOT AWAY FROM ITALY

Jack Cole joined the Army in February 1940 and was in Tobruk in June 1942 when it was captured by the Germans. Along with thousands of others, he was taken prisoner and sent to Italy where he spent eighteen months in a prison camp. When the collapse of Italy came, Cole evaded re-capture by the Germans. He and two other pals tramped to an Italian village and were hidden a whole month. They there secured food and maps and different routes were worked out for their escape to Switzerland. Their hair was dyed black and dressed in old peasant clothing they made their way on bicycles to Milan. Cole, who had a smattering of Italian, did all the talking that was needed but they avoided conversation wherever possible.

They arrived at Milan and took a tram to the Central Station and booked three tickets to a town very near the Swiss Border. All round them were armed Germans and one false move on their part would have spelt disaster, but they boarded their train and arrived at their destination without incident. From here they walked for three days and nights making their way in hilly country in cold October weather. They had been a long time without food and on the third night, they finally rested in an old hen coop some two fields away from a farm, but could not sleep at all. Early on the morning of the 13th October they learned they were only about five minutes away from the border and they were directed to Switzerland and freedom.

(Wrexham Leader, abridged, October 24th 1944)

POSTHUMOUS VICTORIA CROSS FOR WREXHAM FLIGHT LIEUTENANT

Flying Officer David Lord and his family at home in Wrexham. Courtesy of the W.A. Williams Collection

SUPREME VALOUR AND SELF SACRIFICE AT ARNHEM

For the first time in the two great World Wars, a Victoria Cross has been awarded (posthumously) to a Wrexham man. He is Flight Lieutenant David Lord, D.F.C., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Lord of Croes Eneurys, Wrexham.

The official citation reads:
Flight Lieutenant Lord was pilot and captain of a Dakota aircraft detailed to drop supplies at Arnhem on the 19th September 1944. His aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, but he said he would complete his mission as the troops were in dire need of supplies. His task completed he ordered his crew to abandon the Dakota, while remaining at the controls to give his crew a chance to escape. Flight Lieutenant Lord displayed supreme valour and self-sacrifice. (abridged)

(Wrexham Leader, November 16th 1945)

Editorial

The Allies landed on the Normandy beaches on June 6th 1944 and opened a new front against Germany. Germany fought on until final defeat in May 1945. The war against Japan continued until August 1945.

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