Pages tagged with: vj day

After over five years of rationing and anxiety about loved ones overseas, New Zealanders greeted the coming of peace in Europe in May 1945, and then victory over Japan in August, with understandable relief and enthusiasm.

VJ Day, like VE Day, showed public regulation at work. Again the preparation had been considerable, and this time celebrations went more smoothly

Young people singing in the streets of Wellington, VJ Day, 1945

An unidentified seaman celebrates VJ Day with a cigarette and beer in Wellington, 1945

Japan's surrender following the atomic explosions over Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the Second World War. More than 200,000 New Zealanders had served during the war and more than 11,500 had died.

John Allingham describes the signing of the Japanese surrender, 1945.

Hear former merchant seaman Jim Blundell describe VJ Day celebrations

Hear live broadcasts from the streets of Dunedin on VJ Day.