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The Courier
08-05-2025
- General
- The Courier
VE Day: Colourised pictures show Dundee in Second World War
Windows lit up, bonfires raged, fireworks exploded and torches shone into the sky for the fun of it on May 8 1945. Local people sang and danced into the night. The bright flames and friendliness seemed a fitting end to blackout and anxiety. The darkness cast by Hitler's long shadow was lifted. These images provide a glimpse of what life was like during the Second World War. The black and white photographs from DC Thomson's archives have been colourised using advanced AI technology to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. They show the conflict the way our ancestors would have seen it. What happened when Second World War was declared? On September 1 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Two days later, on September 3, Britain declared war. Pillbox air raid shelters at Dundee harbour in 1939. Image: DC Thomson. Nobody knew what to expect of a dangerously uncertain future. The start of the First World War was only a quarter of a century old in their memories. It was fought in trenches on the front. Now, homes and communities were the battleground. There was a mass exodus of children from Dundee to safety in the countryside. Waste paper sorting in 1941. Image: DC Thomson. An effort that was well organised was the collection of waste paper. It was repurposed for packaging munitions and producing government pamphlets. Buildings were sandbagged by volunteers. Shops sold heavy curtaining and thick brown paper to paste on window glass. Concrete shelters sprouted all over the place while lamp-posts and trees had white bands painted on them, so that people wouldn't bump into them in the dark. Lord Provost Garnet Wilson inspects the Women's Land Army in 1940. Image: DC Thomson. Dundee was a submarine base in the Second World War. Boats from the Royal Navy, the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Royal Norwegian Navy, the Free French and the Polish Navy were all based at the Stannergate. There were 128 air raid sirens in Dundee during Second World War Swarms of German planes patrolled across the region. There was significant bombing in Dundee and around Angus. One landed at the junction of Nesbitt Street and Dalkeith Road in September 1940. The site of the Nesbitt Street and Dalkeith Road bombing. Image: DC Thomson. The Royal Observer Corps (ROC) were the eyes and ears of the RAF. They monitored the skies for enemy planes. Dundee had a reported 128 air raid sirens during the war years. November 4 and 5, 1940 saw two quite heavy raids. Dundee's worst incident happened on Bonfire Night when a stick of four bombs crashed through a four-storey tenement in Rosefield Street. Robert Coventry and Mary Ann Laing were killed. 1230 Squadron ATC on parade in Dundee in 1942. Image: DC Thomson. In Angus, up to 400 bombs of varying calibre were dropped during 1939 and 1945. Montrose and its surrounding area was hardest hit. In Carnoustie a German plane was brought down in August 1940. Thousands of people headed to City Square Emergency training exercises took place to prepare for the unthinkable. Some were organised by the Second World War Civil Defence First Aid Party (FAP). The war lasted for six years. First aid drill taking place in 1942. Image: DC Thomson. The summers of 1940 and 1944 saw the most Dundee casualties. With a year of the war still to go, adverts appeared in the Evening Telegraph encouraging people to 'lend all you've got' for soldiers fighting around the world. It was hoped the people of Scotland would raise £700,000. It couldn't last forever. Air Raid Precautions (ARP) workers on fire drill in 1943. Image: DC Thomson. German armed forces surrendered unconditionally on May 7. Winston Churchill declared a national holiday to be celebrated the following day. Bell ringers helped Dundee ring in the new era of peace at St Paul's Cathedral. Not everyone was happy. The Courier said there was confusion over which day was a public holiday. There was 'chaos at mills, factories, shops and offices' as hundreds of people who turned up at their place of employment found they had to go home again. Women who went to the post office to collect their allowance found the gates up. Thousands thronged City Square on VE Day, many wearing victory rosettes. Red, white and blue frocks were seen in the streets. In the afternoon the Polish Military Band played on despite heavy rain. When the skies cleared the young people returned for dancing. The steps at the front of the Caird Hall were packed. They danced to the accompaniment of the City of Dundee Pipe Band. There was a party at the YMCA in Dundee to celebrate VE Day Fireworks were set off. The dancers continued until the wee small hours. Elsewhere, bonfires were blazing at Kemback Street and Lilybank Road. Fireworks were going off 'here, there and everywhere'. Dundee with flags flying in May 1945. Image: DC Thomson. Dundee was a city of flags and bunting. Railings in the Perth Road were painted red, white and blue. There were numerous special gatherings indoors. Pubs were busy and dance halls were packed. Schools closed and churches opened for thanksgiving. All meals were free at the YMCA where a party was held in the evening. What happened across Tayside and Fife? Meanwhile, most shops in Perth closed on VE Day. There was a rush to 'procure the household necessities for the celebrations'. A scene at the dock in Dundee in 1945. Image: DC Thomson. There was a grand procession with two pipe bands parading, bonfires lit up the Inches, buildings were floodlit and the dancing continued long into the night. In Dunfermline, a large crowd gathered round a pipe band in the High Street and followed it in procession to Pittencrieff Park where they enjoyed dancing. In Kirriemuir the bell from Barony Church steeple rang at 15-minute intervals. The steeple and church bells rang simultaneously in Montrose. In Arbroath there was dancing in Hill Place to music from the Legion Pipe Band. Enjoying peace in Dundee in 1945. Image: DC Thomson. In Carnoustie we reported that 90% of people wore red, white and blue rosettes. Forfar Pipe Band played in the Angus town's High Street in the afternoon and evening. In Errol the minister conducted an open air service. Amplifiers were attached to the organ and the singing was relayed to large crowds. In East Neuk there was outdoor and indoor dancing. And in Cupar the victory spirit was apparent in the sheriff court where the sheriff admitted he was feeling tender-hearted. He imposed 'modified fines when and wherever possible'. A ship at Victoria Dock in 1945. Image: DC Thomson. All surviving German U-Boats were surrendered. Dundee dock became a centre of activity for processing crews that surrendered. There was more dancing in August 1945 VE Day was not the end of the Second World War. Fighting continued in the Pacific against Japan until VJ Day on August 15 1945. A U-boat surrender at Dundee docks in May 1945. Image: DC Thomson. There were celebrations across Tayside and Fife when the end of the conflict arrived. Arbroath decided to illuminate public buildings, ring church bells and sound sirens. Bonfires were lit at the High Common and at Springfield Park. There was open air dancing. Highland dancing on VJ Day. Image: DC Thomson. In Dundee, several public buildings were also lit up. During the afternoon and evenings, bands played in the City Square. There was Scottish dancing on a specially constructed stage. VJ Day dancing in City Square. Image: DC Thomson. Huge crowds gathered. They danced with a sense of joy and relief. At last – it was over. ALL IMAGES IN THIS ARTICLE ARE COPYRIGHT OF DC THOMSON AND HAVE BEEN COLOURED USING ADVANCED AI. COLOUR REPRODUCTION MAY NOT BE 100% AUTHENTIC. UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION IS NOT PERMITTED.
Arab Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait-Netherlands rely on diplomacy to safeguard interests: Westhoff
KUWAIT CITY, May 1: Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Kuwait Laurens Westhoff praised the close historical ties between his country and the State of Kuwait, indicating these ties extend to more than 60 years of diplomatic and economic cooperation based on shared values and interests. In his speech at the Dutch National Day celebration, which coincided with the birthday of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander; Westhoff stressed that Kuwait and the Netherlands are two relatively small countries surrounded by larger powers; hence, they rely on diplomacy, soft power and economic cooperation to protect their national interests and defend the international order based on laws and agreements. Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Ambassador Sadiq Marafi and many diplomats were also present at the event. Westhoff continued to say that the two countries have stood together on many occasions in defense of the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-violation of internationally recognized borders. He called to mind the participation of the Royal Netherlands Navy in the international coalition to liberate Kuwait in 1990/1991. He affirmed that these values continue to form the solid foundation of bilateral relations despite the current decline in respect for the rules of the international system and multilateralism. He also reminisced on the celebrations in his country, where every city or village organizes popular events, disclosing that the King and his family participate annually in this occasion by visiting a different city. He pointed out that this affirms the royal family's connection to the people. He confirmed that these traditions have continued for more than 500 years; contributing to the building of a cohesive society characterized by creativity and innovation, particularly in agriculture, trade, and energy. He added that the Netherlands, like Kuwait, overlooks the sea and that the sea has been a bridge for trade and exploration for centuries. He said the economic relations between his country and the Gulf region date back to the 17th century, when the Netherlands began trading textiles and spices with pearl merchants in Basra and Bahrain. 'In the mid-18th century, the Netherlands became the most active European partner in the Gulf. Trade was not just about exchanging goods, but also a means of understanding other cultures and strengthening relations between peoples, something humanity needs today more than ever,' he asserted. He also called for the common defense of a global system that allows small countries to flourish and guarantees freedom and prosperity for their people. He expressed his deep appreciation to the leadership and people of Kuwait for their close friendship, while extending gratitude to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Sheikh Jarrah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and all the staff of the ministry for their continued support for bilateral relations. He confirmed that much has been achieved between the two countries, but the future holds even more opportunities, especially in the areas of food security, climate change, trade, investment, and shared values.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thales to deliver sonar suite for future Dutch submarine fleet
PARIS — French defense-electronics maker Thales won a contract to supply the entire sonar and acoustics suite for the Royal Netherlands Navy Orka-class submarine fleet to be built by Naval Group, the company said in a statement on Wednesday. The submarine sonar contract is the first in 15 years for Thales outside its core underwater markets of France, the U.K., the U.S. and Australia, said Emmanuel Michaud, vice president for submarines and surface vessels at Thales. The sensor suite for the four Dutch submarines will form the basis for Thales's export offer for other upcoming submarine programs, he said. The contract 'is our stepping stone to a new generation of export-contract submarine systems,' Michaud said. 'That's why this contract is absolutely key for us, because that's the first one of hopefully a long series of contracts. The market is pretty active now in the submarines.' Thales signed an agreement with Naval Group to supply the four sonar suites, with a contract value somewhere between €100 million ($109 million) and €1 billion, according to Michaud, who declined to give an exact price. 'Let say that we are extremely happy with this contract.' Thales won a contract from BAE Systems in 2020 to provide the sonar system for the U.K.'s four Dreadnought nuclear submarines with a value of £330 million ($428 million). The sensor suite will be 'heavily derived' from the system equipping the French Suffren-class nuclear attack submarines, according to Michaud. The same Thales team working on delivering the last three of the six submarines in the Suffren class will work on the Dutch contract, he said. The Netherlands a year ago picked Naval Group to build four conventionally-powered attack submarines in a project worth as much as €5.65 billion to replace the country's aging Walrus-class subs. The Dutch boats will be based on the same Barracuda program from Naval Group that produced the Suffren class. 'We had Barracude, we invested a lot thanks to the French MoD and French Navy, and this gives us a competitive edge,' Michaud said. 'We keep improving our product with this export-contract submarine with very, very tough requirements from the Dutch Navy.' Most of the products included in the sonar suite for the Dutch submarines already exist, and are being progressively improved with regards to hardware and software, he said. The first two submarines in the Dutch contract are scheduled to be delivered by 2034, and 'we are working full speed already to be on time for the delivery of the first submarine,' Michaud said. He said that given the complexity of everything that needs to be assembled, 'I will be happy in 2034 when everything is delivered.' Thales says it's the world leader in sonar, equipping around 50 submarines and with a share of around 50% of the accessible market. Customers include the French, British and Austalian navies, as well as Singapore, Chile and Malaysia. Thales will delivery 'the full array of what can be installed on a submarine as far as acoustics are concerned' for the Dutch boats, including main antennas such as the bow-mounted cylindrical array and the flank array sonar, according to Michaud. Other equipment will include an intercept array on the top of the submarine and a mine and obstacle-avoidance sonar that can also do seabed mapping The French company is working with Dutch company Optical11 to develop a towed linear antenna using optical technology that would be included in the Thales sonar suite. The Amsterdam-based firm says it's the world leader in fiber optic sensing technology for ultra-sensitive early warning systems. The technology readiness level for the optical array 'is not yet at a stage that would allow us to go full production from day one,' Michaud said. Thales and Optical11 agreed on a feasibility study in November that will last most of 2025, with the goal of including the technology on the Dutch submarines. 'It's a very challenging technology, but very promising.' 'If this is successful, and we are working hard to make it successful, we will definitely adopt this technology or this product for our export-country contracts,' Michaud said. He said that France's defense ministry is also developing a optical towed array, however this is proprietary 'and we will never be able to export this.' The Dutch submarines will be fitted with a double row of flank array sonar as a cost-effective way to increase the sensor surface and improve detection, as developing a new array would have been 'extremely expensive' and would have taken too long, Michaud said. Regarding a plan by Poland to buy submarines, Michaud said Thales doesn't comment on market opportunities led by Naval Group. He said the Thales strategy is to offer a 'very versatile' sonar suite that can fulfill the requirements of many customers, and avoid additional development that would increase cost, time and risk.
