‘File 28/54 Victory Day – celebrations’ [‎13r] (25/98)

SECRET
; R ': - vi - : Ro. : i367/M/S/'vv.1.
GOVEitNEERT OF IELuA.
wAR DEPARTMENT.
(Army Branch).
New Delhi, the. 27th September, 1944•
To
All Provincial Governments and Chief Commissioners.
Sir,
i. * ' ' ■ .
1 am direc oed to miorm you that the Lrovernment of
India have naa under' consideration the manner in which the final
defeat of Germany, wnen.it' occurs, should be celebrated, through
out India. As it ..is impossible to say when this event will occur
and as it Is mosc unaeoiruoie that any ialse hopes SiiOuld oe raised
of ' aT'veryy early victory , I am to request that the proposals put
forward.’ in this letter be treated as strictly secret until such
time -as an announcement is made by His Excellency the Viceroy.
f
2. The Government of India are of tne opinion that tnere
snoula be widespread celobrations on a considerable scale and that
every thing .possible smould be done to mark, the defeat of Germany.’
They are of the opinion -chat- such celebrations will have an- ex
cellent effect on the puolic morale, provided the;, are not of a
character to suggest to the uninformed and simple-minded that the
end of the war v.ith Japan, is- in sight, oiythat there is the least
justification for relaxing the war effort. ..As regards the war
against th^ Japanese, it- must be clearly borne- in upon the public
that the victory .ovor Germany, although of great import , *l'v via ^1
not xn any way lessen cii<^ xiwed ioi* gre^-.t sacrifice cxid ei±oru
wnicn will D'o xxecessary Do-xor e f x.xiul victory apains o ti^e Jc^pc^iic-'Se
Can be attained. .
3. in order that the victory ov^r Germany, .nen it comes,
i/^iii not i .i_iid c iv n id ill 11 to-iy a a ono.. i oicS Uiipr *- pax ed, cne ^exm—'
mi outline oi a provisional programme is giyen oelow. I am to
express the hope that Providelei and iocal civil authorities, in
co-operation with his Majosby 1 s Forces wherever uheso are at pre
sent, and. mi luentiai iiic-mbers or tne public, will unite in an en
deavour to make tne colebi-a1 1 ons a success.
4* W xieii tile deie-at oi Germany is formally announced, his
Excellency tne Viceroy will probably address a broadcast to the
Princes and people oi India on tne ^significance of tno event and
nniiOUiiCing tiie dc.te f _LXed f ox- Giie celeDi ntions c.nd cj. declcix n oion
of a public holiday on that rate. The date of the holiday will.be
fixed not more than a ween iatef than his Excellency*s announcement
5 • Military parades or matrehes of till services and Arnrs,
including- tne women 1 s Auxiliary Corps, India, will b^. arranged
wherever possible, and if is -hoped tfiut Police forces, Civil duarus
A .R.P. Services, 'b . V'.,E*- and other civilian organisations will also
tx«Xi.e pci.iu^« Da s^c..a.io ex suon je in u parades, etc # U-iUS C Oe lex g to the
local civil ana military authorities; but it is proposed that bands
should be used whenever 'available, and that there should be display
-of - guns, tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles. The highest
civil authority present might arrange to greet the troops at some
suitable public place. *
6.
would
oortuni
Apart from ceremonial pa
elcoMe the arrmoment oi uny
ty for fraternisation betwi- n
rudes, the Government of India
festivities which gave an op-
the civil ana military, such
as joint s.po r -ts
mentions. ixi
4 -/-s D‘v>o''frn o ~]
or the entertainment of sqldiers by r civilian orga-
this connection a'’further letter will dp addressed
..^-nwontc onH c>n if- oomm ± .<?fti.oners bv thti Department
1.1 id iPi Owe C-
oi xmormutxon