This May 8th marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), a moment that commemorates the end of World War II in Europe, a war that shaped generations, redefined nations, and left a lasting mark on humanity. As we reflect on this pivotal moment in history, we’ve had the privilege of seeing it not just through textbooks or documentaries, but through the personal stories shared by our community.
Over the past few weeks, we have invited conservators, developers, and our players to submit their own pieces of history: family photos, wartime memorabilia, personal letters, and stories passed down through generations. The response has been powerful and deeply moving.
We’ve received dozens of submissions from our community, each one a glimpse into the past and a reminder that history lives on through memory. These stories didn’t come from a single nation or perspective. They came from all sides of the war: soldiers, civilians, and survivors. Some celebrated the end of tyranny. Others mourned the price of conflict. All of them reminded us of one important truth: history is human.
Whether it was a photo of a grandfather in uniform, a faded war diary, or a war-worn knife, these shared memories paint a picture more vivid and more personal than any textbook could provide. They speak of courage and loss, duty and heartbreak, and above all, the resilience of the people who endured it.
Why We Chose to Remember This Way
In making a WWII game like Squad 44, we’ve always been mindful of the fine line between gameplay and reverence. Games allow us to explore history, but they can never replace the stories of those who lived it. That’s why, for this 80th anniversary of VE-Day, we chose not to mark the moment with an in-game event, but with something more meaningful: a community remembrance.
It was about taking a moment to listen to honor the real people behind the history our game is inspired by. War impacts everyone, regardless of uniform or nationality, and this anniversary gave us an opportunity to recognize that complexity.
Below, you can explore the stories of William Wong, Reuben Johnson, Eric Thomas Bowerman, and Jack Morris. These images come from members of our own Development Team at Offworld and Mercury Arts.
You’ll also find submissions from our community, along with contributions from a returning collaborator: the Airborne Museum Hartenstein.
Sharing WWII Memories, One Photo at a Time
We also wanted to share some stories into the past that you may have otherwise not have heard and we welcome you to take the time to learn more about the people who fought in these wars. Each photo tells a unique story from World War II moments of courage, loss, love, and survival and we hope we can work to continue to preserve and pass these stories on.
Honoring All Who Were There
VE-Day is often seen as celebrating freedom and ending a long, brutal war. But it’s also a time for reflection, a moment to honor the lives lost on all sides and to recognize the cost of peace. We can respect history without glorifying the violence. We can remember the victories while mourning the casualties.
Preserving Memory, Together
To everyone who shared your family’s story with us: thank you. You’ve helped us bring history closer and reminded us of the responsibility we carry when we choose to represent it. We apologize if we were unable to showcase every single image but we did have the pleasure of learning more about our communities history!
We’d also like to give a very special thanks to the Airborne Museum Hartenstein for working with us to share some more untold stories and images. They also have a message for the Squad 44 Community!
If you’re interested in exploring more about World War II and the history, we highly recommend visiting their museum for more information check out their website HERE.
As we move further from the events of WWII, preserving its memory becomes more important than ever. History is not just what happened, it’s how we remember, how we pass it on, and how we choose to honor those who came before us.
On this 80th VE-Day, we remember not just an end to a war, but the people who lived through it. And we do so, proudly, with the help of our community.
— The Offworld and Mercury Arts Team
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