Victory in Europe: (especially Paris and Somerset, Spring 1945)

In the third part of this book the regular correspondence of Joan Prior, now promoted to Leading Wren, takes centre stage as the principal source, interspersed in Chapter 5 with the fortnightly summary reports on the progress towards the European war’s conclusion entered in the official Naval War Diary by ANCXF. Wrens supported the continuing work to clear and reopen key channel ports damaged by both allied bombing and the fleeing German forces, and the Mulberry harbour at Arromanches was finally closed. Meanwhile, cross-channel traffic and supply routes were extended amidst the ongoing menace of German U-boats, E-boats and midget submarines, and Hitler’s V-weapons, and the Channel Islands remained under Nazi control.
As the grip of a harsh winter gave way to spring, the social attractions of Paris were augmented by ENSA concert parties featuring the likes of Noël Coward, a visitation from the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Luna Park funfair. While the cinema was still the staple and frequent entertainment, Montmartre became Joan’s favourite haunt, accompanied by her regular Royal Marine consorts. Meanwhile, her family at home were divided between Barking where V-weapons take a heavy local toll, and rural Somerset where her parents find safe retreat. It was there that Joan spent VE Day on leave, when it came at last, while her fellow Wrens partied with abandon in central Paris.