Vision of a better day

EIGHTY years ago today, Britain stood on the threshold of peace after six long years of life-or-death struggle against Nazi Germany.

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And no one illustrated the momentous nature of that triumph over fascism better than Mirror cartoonist Philip Zec.

Proudly reprinted on our front page today, his VE Day image of a wounded soldier, handing over a laurel of victory and peace in Europe with the caption “Here you are! Don't lose it again!” captured the feelings of a nation wearied by war.

It was a message of intense relief, mixed with fierce anger over innocent civilians being dragged into death and destruction.