On monday 7th may 1945 following six years of war the nation and indeed the whole world erupted into scenes of jubilation following the unconditional surrender by germanys general jodl the war in europe was over within minutes of the announcement many thousands of people gathered on the streets of great britain to celebrate the event bonfires were lit street parties took place and in london over 50 000 people filled the streets between trafalgar square and big ben as three lancaster bom