19 AUGUST 2020 | ISSUE 456 | FREE
WWW.GONAGAMBIE.COM.AU
PAGE 8
A GREAT VICTORY HAD BEEN WON AT GREAT COST TO ALL On August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered unconditionally to the Allied forces, ending the deadliest conflict in history, World War II.
The Chief of the Australian Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, reflected on the moment when the terrible conflict finally ended, via a live broadcast that streamed across Australian networks. Seventy-five years ago, a weary Australia laid down its arms and felt the first, joyous stirrings of peace. In the forests of Borneo, the soldiers finally laid their arms and had pause to listen to the songbirds in the trees. Ships across the Pacific spliced the mainbrace and an extra ration of rum warmed a sailor's heart. The engines of Kittyhawks, Boomerangs and Beaufighters were quiet, even if their crews were not. At home, telegrams bearing the saddest of news slowed to a trickle and eventually stopped. An entire country had been called to serve what was right and good. A great victory had been won at great cost to all. The Pacific War, also known as the Asia -Pacific War was fought in Asia, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and Oceania;
geographically it was the largest theatre of war.
It began on 7/8 December 1941 when the Japanese invaded Thailand and attacked the British colonies of Malaya, Singapore, and Hong Kong. United States military and naval bases were also attacked including Hawaii, Wake Island, Guam and the Philippines. After the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki the Japanese announced their intent to surrender on 15th August 1945. The official surrender took place on 2nd September 1945, on board the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Australian forces had been on campaigns across the Pacific, including New Guinea, Bougainville, New Britain, Borneo and the Philippines. Australian prisoners of the Japanese were scattered all over Asia. One million Australians wore the military uniform during the 2nd world war including many Aboriginal and Torres. Strait Islanders and thirty-nine thousand were killed. Northern Australia (Darwin) and WA (Broome) were bombed, with hundreds losing their lives. Globally, more than 50 million soldiers and civilians were killed — just a generation after the so-called "war to end all wars", World War I. Australian troops were heavily involved in fighting along the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea and many also lost their lives to dysentery and malaria. Milne Bay and
the Coral Sea were the scenes of horrific battles and it was at Milne Bay where the Japanese experienced defeat and gave the allies hope. August 15th , 2020 is remembered as the 75th year that the 2nd World War ended. We Will Remember Them.
Pictured above: Nagambie RSL President, Larry King and Vice President David Keale laid a wreath at the Nagambie Cenotaph, as a tribute to the home and overseas experiences and sacrifices made by Australians, and the great relief to all communities throughout the world.