WW II – Victory in the Pacific, 80th Anniversary
MEDIA RELEASE
This Friday marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific and the official end of World War II (WW II).
The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) says the day is important for the nation, commemorating Japan’s unconditional surrender to the Allies on 15 August 1945, which officially ended WW II. RSL National President Greg Melick said this 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day (VP Day) is an important time for Australia to recognise the sacrifices so many people made for the freedoms we enjoy today.
“As the number of WW II veterans dwindle, it is vital that we commemorate their collective contribution to our liberty and way of life,” Greg Melick said.
“If not for their sacrifices and those of our allied service men and women, our lives today would be significantly different.
“VP Day, sometimes referred to as Victory over Japan Day, is celebrated on 15 August, commemorating Japan’s acceptance of the Allied demand for unconditional surrender delivered on 14 August 1945.
“For Australians, that day meant that the Second World War was finally over.”
Australia played a significant role in the Pacific during World War II, fighting against Japan from 1941 to 1945. Initially, Australian forces engaged in campaigns in Malaya and Singapore, but after the bombing of Darwin in February 1942, the focus shifted to defending the Australian mainland and supporting the US-led counteroffensive in the Pacific.
Greg Melick said nearly one million Australians (around one in seven of the then population) served in uniform during the Second World War. Tragically, more than 39,000 lost their lives and 66,000 were wounded. Many thousands more became prisoners of war, suffering greatly not seeing family, friends and their country for more than four years. 8,000 died in captivity.
“The end of the war brought heartache for many families when, after years of waiting for news of the missing, they were told that their loved ones were not coming home. For so many Australians, too much had happened, too many lives had been lost, and too many families were changed for life to ever go back to ‘normal’.
“We should never forget the sacrifice of our WW II veterans and that of those at home who also sacrificed and suffered loss.
“This 80th anniversary provides an opportunity for Australia to pause, reflect and honour those who served, particularly the diminishing number of veterans who are still with us today,” Greg Melick said.
“Lest we forget.”
