Commemorating 80 years since Victory in the Pacific

On the morning of August 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito of Japan publicly announced that Japan would accept the Allies’ ultimatum to surrender.

CAPTION: The signing of the surrender document by Allied personnel and representatives of the Japanese forces aboard the United States battleship Missouri, September 2, 1945. Story by Rosalind Turner. Photos from Australian War Memorial.

For Australians, this meant the end of World War 2, as Germany had surrendered to the Allies three months earlier.

Nearly a million Australians served in the armed forces during this war. Of those, some 40,000 never returned to their families. More than 17,000 had lost their lives while fighting in the war against Japan, some 8000 of whom died in Japanese captivity.

At 8.44 on this August morning, the Australian Government received the news that Japan had surrendered.

“Fellow citizens, the war is over,” Prime Minister Ben Chifley announced via a radio broadcast to the nation at 9.30am.

“Let us remember those whose lives were given that we may enjoy this glorious moment and may look forward to a peace which they have won for us.

“On behalf of the people and the Government of Australia, I offer humble thanks to the fighting men of the United Nations whose gallantry, sacrifice and devotion to duty have brought us to victory.”

Australians celebrated the news in a variety of ways. The Sydney Morning Herald estimated that between 100,000 and 150,000 crowded into the Sydney Domain to celebrate. During the following days, more organised activities – such as church services, gala concerts and parades of returned military personnel – took place.

In Brisbane, people filled the streets in spontaneous celebration. Ragtime bands played, people banged pots, car horns sounded, whistles blowed, soldiers played two-up, people hugged each other, and there were even kissing competitions.

This year is the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific (VP). On VP Day, August 15, we remember Australia’s war efforts from 1942-45 in the Pacific region, including Singapore, Borneo, Malaya, New Guinea and New Britain.

On this day, we acknowledge the service, sacrifice, and courage of all the men and women who fought to protect our nation, values, and way of life.

CAPTION: Crowds gather at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne to celebrate Victory in the Pacific, August 1945.

.

.


.


.