Merry Christmas 2017 (and 1942)

Article 06 Jun 18, 7:17

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Just as the Danish community in London gathered around the Christmas tree in 1942, families gather to celebrate Christmas in these very days 75 years on.

Christmas reception in the Danish Legation, London, on 22 December 1942 (The Royal Library)

2017 has been an exiting year for me. First of all, by book - Britain's Victory, Denmark's Freedom - was published. Secondly, following the the release of the book, I have been given a number of lectures on the Danish air force volunteers. Finally, this website was relaunched in a new design, which had been long overdue.

On 22 December 1942, the Danish community in London gathered at the Danish Legation in London to celebrate Christmas. This was a happy and joyful pause from the war.

Much

Danish volunteers at the Christmas reception. Fourth from the left is fighter pilot Kjeld Rønhof serving in the Norwegian Air Force. (The Royal Library)

Among the participants were a number of Danish volunteers serving in different parts of the British armed forces including the Royal Air Force. As a matter of fact, the lists of adresses used by the Recruiting Office on the occasion is an important source of information on the whereabouts of many of the volunteers in late 1942.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Mikkel Plannthin