Victory in Japan Day – or VJ Day – was celebrated on 15th August 1945 and it marked the end of World War Two. As an Institution we would encourage lodges bands and members to take time and reflect on the sacrifice, give thanks for the deliverance and to celebrate the vistory. 

Just as we did for VE Day a number of months ago we have provided resources for members and the community and links to the national celebrations as we mark this monumental event. 

The 15th August 1945 was the moment that the Allies – that is Britain, the US and other countries that were fighting together – marked victory over Japan.

At midnight, British Prime minister Clement Atlee announced the end of the war  saying: “The last of our enemies is laid low.”

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Britain has been fighting a fierce and often forgotten war against Japan across South East Asia, with its Empire united in sacrifice and suffered in a a fight for its very survival.

The victory was assured by the efforts of an Empire as Indians, Australians, New Zealander’s and an array of peoples rallied to the flag to defend freedom.

 

 

 

The Forgotten War in the East?

While fighting in Europe ended in May 1945, but many soldiers, sailors and airmen from the Allies were still fighting the Japanese in the Far East. As we look back it seems an age since in lockdown we celebrated VE Day, and that gives us some indication of just how long the War dragged on for, as Japan fought island by island refusing to concede.

An estimated 71,000 soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth died in the war against Japan, including more than 12,000 prisoners of war who died in Japanese captivity. Japan was notorious for its treatment of prisoners and many were worked to death in the Jungles of Burma and beyond.

Following the end of the fighting in Europe, the Allies had told Japan to surrender on 28 July 1945, but the deadline passed without them doing this. It finally took two atomic bombs dropped on Japan, to bring them to surrender. The Japanese city of Hiroshima was bombed on 6 August and the city of Nagasaki was targeted three days later, on 9 August.

 

A Nation Celebrated and Commemorated

Prime Minister Clement Atlee announced two days of national holiday to celebrate VJ Day on 15 and 16 August. Millions of people from the allied countries took part in parades and street parties. Soldiers ans sweethearts celebrated as the World took time to mark peace.

While the official surrender wasnt signed until 2nd September aboard the USS Missouri battleship in Tokyo Bay, the nation began to take stock of the terrible cost. The king addressed his subjects here and across the British Empire

“Our hearts are full to overflowing, as are your own. Yet there is not one of us who has experienced this terrible war who does not realise that we shall feel its inevitable consequences long after we have all forgotten our rejoicings today.King George VI, in a broadcast from his study at Buckingham Palace at 9pm on 15 August 1945

How The Order will mark VJ Day 75?

Due to the current pandemic we are limited on how we can celebrate and commemorate VJ Day and the end of the Second World War. We will be providing support and advise to lodges and bands wishing to hold real time or virtual events safely, however many have expressed the wish to mark it as we did VE Day. 

Following the Government’s advice and lead we are providing access to resources and the offical schedule of events for families or lodges to use for small socially distanced gatherings. 

The aim is to keep safe and to enjoy a day of reflection and commemoration. We have a long history of supporting and working with the Royal British Legion and are grateful for the resourses, information and materials they have provided.

We have integrated offical government resources into our own resoruce pack so please download and use it as we celebrate as a nation. 

 

Virtual VJ Day

 

Download our Resource Pack