TAKING A VICTORY LAP.

Today is V-E Day, and there is a 48 star flag flying at Cold Spring Shops headquarters, one of several vintage flags raised on suitable days.  The Flag Code notes that older versions of Old Glory may be flown, subject to the provision that tattered and torn flags ought be given honorable retirement.

I found this painting of GIs quaffing a few beers at Hitler's mountain hideout.  Germans and Austrians make some pretty good beers, but the dictator wouldn't touch them.

The troops had particular cause to celebrate the Germans packing it in.  Although ECLIPSE plans envisioned the Western Allies not driving to Berlin, with much of Germany east of the Elbe set for Soviet occupation, the commanders could not shake the possibility of the Nazi leadership plus the most committed of true believers holing up in something called the "Alpine Redoubt," there to conduct a resistance in the best Balkan, or perhaps hillbilly, style.  Those fears were allayed once Germans who surrendered to the Western Allies along the Elbe (rather than take their chances with the Soviets) reported Hitler was still in Berlin.  That famous temper tantrum in Ausfall providing material for those parodies is based on documented events.

Well done, Citizen Soldiers.