After more than five years of disruption, 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. Most people wanted to celebrate.
VJ Day
Victory over Japan (VJ) Day
VJ Day, like VE day, showed public regulation at work. Again the preparation had been considerable, and the celebration went more smoothly. The news of the Japanese surrender arrived in New Zealand at 11 a.m. on 15 August.
The war is over! VJ Day
Japan’s surrender following the detonation of atom bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the Second World War. More than 200,000 New Zealanders had served during six long years of war, and more than 11,500 had died.
News of the Japanese surrender arrived in New Zealand at 11 a.m. on 15 August. Like VE Day in May, VJ Day was constrained by public regulation. Again the preparations had been considerable, and the celebrations generally ran smoothly.
