The New York City Victory Parade of 1946 was held in New York City, United States, on January 12, 1946, to celebrate the victorious conclusion of World War II.[1]

U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division parade in New York City

History

The parade was led by 13,000 men of the 82nd Airborne Division (including the African-American 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion[2]) under General James M. Gavin.[3][4] The 82nd was chosen as the All-American Division to represent the U.S. Army and the end of World War II.[4] The parade also included Sherman tanks and other armored vehicles, such as self-propelled howitzers, and a fly-by of a formation of glider-towing C-47s.[5] The 82nd also participated in the September Berlin Victory Parade of 1945.[6]

In preparation for the New York parade, the division mustered and trained three times a day since late 1945, after having finished their garrison duty in Berlin.[7] The division arrived in United States on January 3 aboard the RMS Queen Mary, and continued training for the parade at Camp Shanks.[7]

The parade, beginning at Washington Square, marching up Fifth Avenue, was reported to be four miles long.[3][5] It was a ticker tape parade, and was covered by newsreels of the time.[1] However, Life magazine reported that it was "oddly subdued", and blamed it on the elimination of many military bands by the demilitarization.[4] Government officials witnessing the parade included the New York Governor, Thomas E. Dewey the New York City Mayor, William O'Dwyer, and the former New York City Mayor, Fiorello LaGuardia.[5]

New York was the site of the largest American Victory in Europe Day celebrations.[8] Two months earlier, on 27 October 1945, it also witnessed a naval victory parade.[9]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Phil Nordyke (19 May 2006). The All Americans in World War II: A Photographic History of the 82nd Airborne Division at War. Zenith Imprint. p. 184. ISBN 978-0-7603-2617-6. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  2. ↑ Jonathan Sutherland (2004). African Americans at War: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 184. ISBN 978-1-57607-746-7. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  3. 1 2 Steven Zaloga (18 October 2011). IS-2 Heavy Tank 1944-73. Osprey Publishing. p. 18. ISBN 978-1-78096-139-2. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 Time Inc (28 January 1946). LIFE. Time Inc. pp. 38–. ISSN 0024-3019. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 "Stock Footage - Major General Gavin leads 82nd Air Borne troops during a victory parade in New York City". Criticalpast.com. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
  6. ↑ "Парады Победы 1945 года—Берлин, Москва, Берлин, Харбин - Газета - Зеркало недели. Украина". Zn.ua. Retrieved 2012-10-09.
  7. 1 2 Tom Peeters. "Victory parade for the 82nd Airborne Division, New York". Battleatbest.com. Archived from the original on 2012-12-03. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
  8. ↑ James Gilbert Ryan; Leonard C. Schlup (30 June 2006). Historical Dictionary of The 1940s. M.E. Sharpe. p. 396. ISBN 978-0-7656-0440-8. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  9. ↑ James L. Mooney (30 June 1976). Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, V. 6: Historical Sketches, R Through S, Appendices, Submarine Chasers, Eagle-Class Patrol Craft. Government Printing Office. p. 76. ISBN 978-0-16-002030-8. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
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