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| 00:30 | | May 8, 1945 – scenes, war and home front. Comments on what was in Washington Post
on that day by Philip Graham.
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| 02:00 | | Harry S. Truman announcing German Surrender |
| 02:30 | | More comments by Philip Graham |
| 03:00 | | Callmers Roberts interviews Harry Truman while walking from the Mayflower Hotel.
How did he feel and what were his hopes?
Great hopes for peace.
What went wrong?
Russians word was no good.
Why did they behave as they did?
Fear, jealousy, Stalin thought we would have depression.
Great events of 7 ˝ years?
1. Russia provoked our build up to oppose Communism.
2. George Marshall as a great man.
What about future?
1. Keep America prosperous.
2. Keep America strong militarily.
3. Keep faith with the allies.
4. Must have good nerves and faith in ourselves.
Truman – it’s a great life, expects to live to 100.
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| 06:15 | | Callmers Roberts interviews Walter Bedell Smith.
What was red school house atmosphere?
An anti-climax after negotiations (scenes at surrender as he talks).
What is our future with Russia?
Peace through strength.
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| 10:45 | | Robert Estabrook interviews Omar Bradley.
Was it wise to demand unconditional surrender of Germany?
No – made it harder for them to quit.
What were post war mistakes?
1. Too rapid demobilization.
2. Miscalculated Russian plans (thought they would cooperate)
Was it a mistake to cross 38th Parallel?
We should have stopped – but we cannot tell.
What do you look forward to in this hydrogen age?
Don’t lull in wishful thinking – Russia must cooperate or we must stay prepared.
What hope have you when Russia reaches parity in weapons?
I hope we will continue to have deterrent.
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| 17:30 | |
Edward Ryan interviews Admiral Alan Goodrich Kirk.
What was hope for future in 1945?
Russians would cooperate in peace.
What went wrong?
Russians didn't’t withdraw.
Did we make mistakes in the Cold War?
Not all were ours.
What right?
Truman Doctrine – our handling of West Germany.
What kind of adversary is Russia in the Cold War?
Crafty – ebb and flow tactics
What is our position in the world?
Russia is “mellowing”.
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| 22:30 | |
General Carl Spaatz interviewed by Milton Caniff.
Where were you on V-E Day?
Commander USAF, Europe – with Ike.
What do you think of SAC today?
Most significant in world today. Predominate military force and greatest
insurance to prevent war.
Can we look forward to peace?
If SAC stays strong we should have peace.
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| 25:45 | | Jean Rogers talks with Mark Burkh who was born on V-E Day (lives in Washington ,
D.C.)
What interests you?
School subjects. Hobbies are astronomy, space and maps.
What do you want to do?
College.
Is this the kind of world where you can do all these things?
Yes, now is a good time to live.
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| 30:15 | | Vannevar Bush interviewed at his lab by Alfred Friendly. Talks about history of atomic
energy.
By V-E Day were you sure that the bomb would work?
No – not until the bomb went off.
Would it have been better if bomb had not been developed?
No- there would have been other terrible weapons. But now since the bomb
was discovered war is obsolete – we hope. Must avoid major wars.
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| 35:00 | |
Jack Norris interviews Dr. Werner von Braun.
How do you feel our missiles stand with Russian missiles?
Ours are better – several years ahead.
Is there push – button warfare?
No – we don’t have the button.
ICBMS – how far off?
Cannot answer.
Where will nuclear arms race end?
Hope it will end in stalemate
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| 40:00 | |
Averell Harriman interviewed by J. R. Wiggins.
What was mood of V-E Day?
Was in San Francisco. He felt US and USSR purposes were irreconcilable . USSR thought their armies would be welcomed as
liberators – but they weren’t – so couldn’t take over. They also
thought that war damaged Europe would be ripe for taking. USA
enlightened policy forestalled this. USA should continue our policies so
that freedom will win out.
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| 45:00 | | Secretary of State – John Foster Dulles interviewed by Stewart Alsop
What went wrong in last 10 years?
Tremendous gulf between Soviet rules and moral concepts of Western
world. U.S. and free world have forged a bond to maintain our stand.
What are hopes for future?
Good prospects. Goals are worth fighting for.
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| 48:30 | |
Bill Malden interviewed by Herb Block.
What were you doing at the end of the war?
In Italy.
What were GI’s thinking about?
Points to get out.
Did they worry about Russians being communists?
No.
How are things today and what is future?
There are just as many indications today that there will be a war as
there were in 1941. Bomb threat is no deterrent.
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| 54:30 | |
Dwight D. Eisenhower at news conference.
Any reflections on V-E Day?
There was a genuine desire for peace among fighting men. This
hasn't’t been realized yet – but the effort is still there.
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| 57:30 | | Wrap up – brief comments by participants (taken from interviews) |
