he way Britain and its Allies achieved victory in the Second World War is commemorated in a new book and online exhibition which will be launched on Tuesday 6 May 2025.

The book and online exhibition ‘Victory in 80 Objects’ remembers the heroism and sacrifices of those who were involved by telling the story of fascinating objects connected with the conflict. It’s been created by The D-Day Story museum in Portsmouth, run by Portsmouth City Council, in collaboration with five other military museums in the UK.

It’s called ‘Victory in 80 Objects’ because this year marks the 80^th anniversaries of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) and VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day)

The 80 featured objects range from a midget submarine used in daring operations to a tin that contained the powdered egg that became a staple of wartime meals.

The book also tells the story of an air raid siren, a Lee-Enfield rifle and a Union flag signed by prisoners of war in a Japanese camp.

In her foreword to the book, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal writes: There were innumerable acts of heroism during the Second World War and this book tells the stories of some of them through 80 objects, curated from the vast collections of six of our leading military museums. They highlight immense courage and sacrifice, on land at sea and in the air.

The book also tells how the efforts of factory workers, people working on farms and civil defence volunteers all played a part in the Allied victory over Nazi Germany and Japan.

Portsmouth City Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said: This beautifully illustrated book provides an insight into many of the factors that were crucial to the Allied victory in the Second World War.  It shows how people in uniform and civilians pulled together as never before to preserve our liberties and freedoms. This city, the home of the Royal Navy, played an important role and we will never forget the bravery and sacrifices of the wartime generation.

The project and book has been created by Cathy Hakes, Head of Portsmouth Museums, alongside the book’s writer Steve Humphrey, a BBC South Today reporter who’s covered military stories for over 30 years.

Steve said: How the Allies achieved victory 80 years ago will be discussed long into the future. The factors included leadership, hope, belief, bravery and sacrifice. There was also the very simple fact that failure was not an option.

The book ‘Victory in 80 Objects’ is a follow-up to last year’s successful publication ‘D-Day in 80 Objects’.

Each of the museums involved with ‘Victory in 80 Objects’ have selected objects from their collections that help tell the story of Second World War.

Dr Harry Raffal, Head of Collections and Research at the Royal Airforce Museum said: The RAF Museum is delighted to support Victory in 80 Objects and to help share the Royal Air Force’s decisive role in the Allied Victory.

Ian Maine, Assistant Director of Collections and Programme at the National Army Museum said: We were delighted to collaborate on this important anniversary. We hope that our collections both acknowledge and reflect on the contribution and sacrifice of Britain’s armies around the world.

Matthew Sheldon, Chief Executive Officer of The National Museum of the Royal Navy said: I am delighted that we have been able to contribute objects which reflect the breadth, range and complexity of the Royal Navy’s part in Victory.

The online exhibition can be viewed at www.theddaystory.com from 6 May.