Victory Over Japan (VJ) Day
In the UK, it is common to think of Victory in Europe (VE) Day as the end of the Second World War. The first VE Day, 80 years ago in May 1945, was met with celebrations in Britain, with street parties, bonfires, and large crowds gathering in London’s Trafalgar Square and outside Buckingham Palace. However, despite the celebrations, this was not a time of jubilation for everyone, with many acutely aware that the war was not yet over.
The reality was that the war raged on in the East for three more months. Many Allied forces were preparing to join the conflict, which began in late 1941. 150,000 men from Europe were redeployed to the Pacific in 1945.
To commemorate and recognise the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we are highlighting the RAF’s vital role in the East. Read our article below.
The War in the Pacific
The 14th Army was deployed in the Asia-Pacific for the entirety of Japan’s involvement in the war. The war in the Pacific was vast, across multiple continents with diverse and challenging terrains, complete with jungles, deserts, mountains, and tropical heat! By 1945, across Asia and the Pacific there were 365,000 British and 1.5 million Commonwealth troops deployed. Troops in the East are often referred to as the “Forgotten Army”, due to the lack of recognition they receive. This was largely due to the distance making communication with home difficult and media coverage sparse.
Ground crews, aircrew, and pilots from the Royal Air Force (RAF), alongside the Indian Air Force, played a vital role in supporting the 14th Army’s operations. RAF Squadrons played vital roles, such as supporting ground troops by providing aerial cover from the Japanese air forces, providing vital intelligence through reconnaissance missions, delivering supplies and aid, destroying strategic targets and more. The Asia-Pacific was divided into different commands, due to its vast size. The first of these was called the South East Asia Command (SEAC), which stretched from North East pre-partition India to modern day Vietnam and Indonesia. Former Air Vice Marshal Keith Park, who led No.11 Group, headquartered at the Bunker here at RAF Uxbridge, became the Allied Air Commander of South East Asia Command (ACSEAC), after being promoted to Air Marshal. He was appointed in 1944 and served there until the end of the war.
Image: Air Marshal Keith Park, 1942. © Imperial War Museum.
After Victory in Europe (VE) Day
Following VE Day, Britain and its Allies began preparing for an invasion of Japan, codenamed Operation Downfall. This operation would have been the largest amphibious invasion in history, even surpassing D-Day. It would have included support from all services, especially air forces. This plan was risky and potentially disastrous, with the projected casualty rate reaching over a million in some estimates, on both Allied and Japanese sides.
On the 28 July 1945, an ultimatum was issued by the Allies called the ‘Potsdam Declaration’ – surrender unconditionally or face “prompt and utter destruction”. This deadline was ignored. Following this, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The first bomb, ‘Little Boy’, was dropped on Hiroshima by a United States Army Air Force (USSAF) Boeing B29 bomber called ‘Enola Gay’ on the 6 August. The blast obliterated five square miles to ashes and killed 120,000 people in the first four days. Three days later, on the 9 August, a second bomb, ‘Fatman’ was dropped on Nagasaki, by ‘Bockscar’ another USAAF B29. Two square miles of the city were destroyed and 73,000 were killed.
The impact of this was devastating. Reports vary, but the reported numbers of casualties reach the hundreds of thousands, either as an instant result of the bomb or in the coming months due to radiation sickness and burns. It has affected generations of people, with radiation related illnesses and trauma. Many of these people were innocent civilians. Whilst the dropping of the atomic bombs undoubtedly hastened the end of the Second World War, its ethical and legal justifications continue to be debated.
Surrender
On the 15 August, Japan accepted the Allied demand for unconditional surrender, announced by Emperor Hirohito on a public radio broadcast. A ceremony of surrender was conducted aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay two weeks later, where an instrument of surrender was signed, officially and formally confirming the end of the conflict. Newly promoted to Air Chief Marshal, Park was present as ACSEAC for the formal surrender ceremony, held in Singapore.
No.79 Squadron- operating Thunderbolts in Meiktila, Burma in the ground-attack role- were premature in their celebrations of VJ Day, according to research conducted by the RAF Museum. Their squadron diary, held in the RAF Museum’s collection, recorded that ‘A somewhat premature report was received during the evening of the 10 August of the Japanese surrender. The fact that the report was premature was then not known’. We now know this was a result of atomic bombs.
Other squadrons recorded no celebrations at all, with many continuing with important operational activities. For example, dropping supplies and humanitarian aid across Malaya and Sumatra and the recovery and repatriation of Allied POWs, as well as Allied personnel. This was overseen by newly promoted Air Chief Marshal Keith Park.
Image: Ground crews of RAF No.356 Squadron based in the Cocos Islands celebrate Japan’s surrender, 14 August 1945. © Imperial War Museum.
Reactions
The end of the war was met with celebrations, but indeed a great sadness. There was also an awareness of the restorative work to come. For millions of personnel, it would take years to be reunited with loved ones, many of whom they had not seen for the duration of the war.
Over the decades, Britain has continued to commemorate VE and VJ Day. Whilst the days are a celebration of the end of conflict and peace, it remains an important occasion for remembering the huge sacrifices made throughout the entire Second World War. On this milestone anniversary, with declining numbers of living veterans, this commemoration is more important than ever.
Article by Charlotte Dennehy, Curator. 08/08/25