1946: LONDON VICTORY PARADE

The 1946 London Victory Parade (officially the London Victory Celebrations) took place on June 8, 1946, to mark the Allied victory over Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan in World War II.

While VE Day (Victory in Europe) had occurred over a year earlier, this massive event was designed as a final, grand celebration for the British Commonwealth, Empire, and its Allies before the world moved into the post-war era.

Key Highlights of the Event

• The Parade Route: The military procession was over four miles long, featuring more than 20,000 personnel. It moved from Regent's Park to Tower Hill, passing the saluting base on The Mall, where King George VI and the Royal Family watched.
• Massive Turnout: An estimated five million people flooded the streets of London. After dark, major buildings were floodlit, and a massive fireworks display was held over the River Thames.
• The Fly-past: A spectacular aerial display featured 300 aircraft, led by the legendary RAF ace Douglas Bader.
• Notable Figures: In attendance were King George VI, Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother), Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II), Winston Churchill, and Prime Minister Clement Attlee.

Global Participation

The parade was a "Who’s Who" of the Allied effort, featuring contingents from across the globe:

• Dominions & Colonies: Groups from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and India marched alongside colonial troops from East and West Africa, the Caribbean, and Malaya.
• Allied Nations: Troops from the USA, France, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands, and more were represented.
• The Malayan Contingent: Interestingly, the Malayan group included representatives of the MPAJA (Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army)—some of whom would later become leaders in the communist insurgency during the Malayan Emergency just two years later.

Major Controversies

Despite the joy, the event was marked by a significant diplomatic controversy regarding Poland.

• The Polish Exclusion: Although Polish pilots had been instrumental in the Battle of Britain, the British government (wary of upsetting the Soviet Union) did not invite the Polish forces-in-exile who had fought under British command.
• The Result: After public outcry, a last-minute invitation was sent to a small group of Polish pilots, but they refused to attend in solidarity with their excluded army and navy comrades. Consequently, there was no Polish representation in the parade.

The 1946 Victory Parade was an immense logistical undertaking, designed to showcase the diversity of the Allied forces. While you didn't name a specific unit, there are several that are historically significant due to their role in the parade or their unique stories.

1. The Royal Air Force (The Fly-past)

The parade began with an incredible aerial display.

• The Leader: The fly-past was led by Wing Commander Douglas Bader, the famous double-amputee ace.
• The Formation: Over 300 aircraft took part, representing the height of WWII aviation technology. It included Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires (the heroes of the Battle of Britain), as well as the new Gloster Meteors, which were Britain’s first operational jet fighters.

2. The Gurkhas

The Gurkha regiments from the Indian Army were a crowd favorite. Known for their bravery and the distinctive kukri knives they carried, they represented the massive contribution of the Indian subcontinent to the war effort. Their presence was a poignant moment, as India was just one year away from independence at the time of the parade.

3. The Women's Services

The parade highlighted the vital role women played in the victory. Large contingents from the WRNS (Women's Royal Naval Service), the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service), and the WAAF (Women's Auxiliary Air Force) marched.

• A Royal Participant: Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth II) had served in the ATS as a mechanic and driver during the war. While she watched from the royal dais with her father, her fellow ATS members marched past in recognition of their service in logistics and transport.

4. The "Desert Rats" (7th Armoured Division)

Units from the 7th Armoured Division, famous for their campaigns in North Africa against Rommel, were part of the mechanized column. They were easily identifiable by their iconic "Jerboa" (desert rat) shoulder flashes. They brought heavy equipment through the streets, which was a logistical challenge given the narrowness of some London roads.

5. Civil Defense and the Home Front

The parade wasn't just for frontline soldiers. It included the Home Guard, the National Fire Service, and the Air Raid Precautions (ARP) wardens. These units were cheered specifically for their role in keeping London and other cities functioning during the Blitz.

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11 January 2026: 12.28 p.m