Portsmouth was among the areas on the UK which took a battering with it being a significant target for the Luftwaffe during the blitz with more than 3,000 people killed or injured, and around a fifth of the city's houses destroyed or badly damaged.
But residents were in high spirits on May 8 1945 for VE and celebrated the end of the European fighting with street parties across the city. VJ Day, or Victory over Japan Day, on August 15, 1945 marked the official ending of the war.
Here we look back at images from 1945 when the city was celebrating VE Day and VJ Day:
41. Historic images during the end of Second World War
The VE Day street party in Walton Close, Gosport, in 1945. | .
42. Historic images during the end of Second World War
A still from colour footage of a VE Day street party in Portsmouth from the DVD Portsmouth on Film. | Portsmouth on Film
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43. Historic images during the end of Second World War
Dolly Barber (second from the right) celebrating what is believed to be VE Day with neighbours in Clarendon Street, Landport, Portsmouth | Dolly Barber Photo: Dolly Barber
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44. Historic images during the end of Second World War
The 1945 VE Day party in Second Avenue, Cosham | .