Today the 15th of August 2005 is the 60th anniversary.

The following is just an extract from this BBC web page that may give people an idea of the way the Allies felt on this day sixty years ago.

Quote:

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1945: Allied nations celebrate VJ Day
Japan has surrendered to the Allies after almost six years of war.

There is joy and celebration around the world and 15 August has been declared Victory in Japan day.

The end of war will be marked by two-day holidays in the UK, the USA and Australia.

After days of rumour and speculation, US President Harry S Truman broke the good news at a press conference at the White House at 1900 yesterday.

He said the Japanese Government had agreed to comply in full with the Potsdam declaration which demands the unconditional surrender of Japan.


No more fighting, interrupted nights, bombs. Peace had come.

People's War memories »
Supreme Commander General Douglas MacArthur will receive the official Japanese surrender, arrangements for which are now under way.

Later, in an address to a crowd that had gathered outside the White House President Truman said: "This is the day we have been waiting for since Pearl Harbor. This is the day when Fascism finally dies, as we always knew it would."

But he warned that the task of creating a lasting peace still lay ahead.

At midnight, the British Prime Minister Clement Atlee confirmed the news in a broadcast saying, "The last of our enemies is laid low."

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The way Japan was back then and the way Japan is now makes it hard to believe that it is the same country.

Perhaps that will give freedom loving peoples around the world hope that some of the more barbaric movements will change as time passes.

Our local newspaper hsa ben publishing interviews with old soldiers all week, publishing their memories.

Time to let it drop perhaps, but not to forget those who lost their lives.

Here too, as the surrender of Japan meant the release of HK from Japanese Occupation. We have had lots of memories in the papers from our wonderful old heroes from Stanley prison etc.

I'm probably the oldest bird in the FunTrivia flock and can remember the day. I was 9 years old and recall the war tension in my parents and other adults seep away and relaxed smiles come to everyone's faces.
The national nightmare was over. My uncle was coming home!

My Dad too, fjohn! He was out here in HK as a BBC War Correspondent
It was a relief, to say the least.