Spitfires and Hurricanes soar above Britain as senior royals lead tributes on VJ Day 75th anniversary
ICONIC Spitfires and Hurricanes have graced Britain’s skies as senior royals lead tributes on the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.
Senior royals including Prince Philip have lead a minute’s silence, with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall saying “Today, we remember the contribution of all Commonwealth and Allied Forces to WWII.”
Union Flags have been flown at full-mast on UK Government buildings to mark the 75th anniversary of the day Japan surrendered that brought the Second World War to an end after six years of fighting.
A two-minute silence was held at 11am to remember and thank all those from the many nations who fought for the freedoms that we enjoy today.
The Queen’s 99-year-old husband Prince Philip and other senior royals have led British commemorations for VJ Day, which marks Victory over Japan and the end of World War Two.
Philip served in the British navy during the war and was on board the destroyer HMS Whelp in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrender was signed.
The royal will feature in a photo montage of living veterans which will be shown on large screens in locations across the country for the August 15 tributes.
Prince Charles has this morning led a national two-minute silence at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, central England while Prince William features in a special BBC TV programme being broadcast today.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, read the Exhortation before the nation fell silent.
Afterwards the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will take part in a flypast over the arboretum.
Overhead, flypasts were held by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, across the skies of the UK’s four capitals.
Prince Charles laid a wreath and delivered a speech as part of the service, before meeting veterans and descendants of those who served in the Asia-Pacific region.
The royal family and Prime Minister Boris Johnson are leading the country in honouring those who fought in the Far East and helped to finally end the Second World War 75 years ago.
Johnson said: “When the Second World War ended 75 years ago with the surrender of Japan, British soldiers, sailors and airmen were serving in the Far East, fighting hard to achieve victory – and were among the last to come home.
“On this anniversary I want to remember what we owe the veterans of the Far East campaign.
“They brought an end to the Second World War, they changed the course of history for the better, liberated South East Asia, and many paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Johnson has been joined by nine other global figures including US president Donald Trump, Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari and Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau in recording a video message thanking those who served.
In the Friendship of Nations video, released ahead of commemorations, each leader says in turn: “To all who served, we thank you.”
Johnson said: “On this 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we pay tribute to the heroes deployed thousands of miles away in the mountains, islands and rainforests of Asia.
“Unable to celebrate the victory in Europe, and among the last to return home, today we recognise the bravery and ingenuity of those who, in the face of adversity, restored peace and prosperity to the world.
“Their immeasurable sacrifice changed the course of history and at today’s commemorations, we take the opportunity to say what should be said every day – thank you.”
In a letter addressed to the veterans of the Far East Campaign, Johnson showed his gratitude to the 50,000 British and Commonwealth service personnel who laid down their lives in the war against Japan, half of whom died in prison camps.
He writes: “You were the last to come home but your achievements are written in the lights of the glittering capitals of the dynamic region we see today.”
The day began with a piper playing Battle’s Over at the Imperial War Museum’s HMS Belfast in London at sunrise, as part of a tribute entitled Waking Up To Peace.
Military pipers also played at dawn in India, Australia, New Zealand and Nepal.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was joined by military chiefs as he laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, Whitehall, London, on Saturday morning.
What is VJ Day?
Victory over Japan Day brought victory for the Allies and finally marked the end of the Second World War.
The multinational World War II campaign against Japan formally ended 75 years ago, about three months after Nazi Germany had been vanquished in Europe.
Following the surrender of the Nazis on May 8, 1945, V-E Day, Allied troops carried on fighting the Japanese until an armistice was declared on August 15, 1945.
Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945, but many Pacific War veterans felt their efforts were not fully recognised and dubbed themselves the “forgotten army.”
Japan’s surrender following the detonation of atomic bombs over the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the Second World War.
Almost one million Australians served in World War II, including 39,000 who died and another 30,000 taken prisoner.
More than 200,000 New Zealanders also served during six long years of war, and more than 11,500 perished.
VJ (Victory over Japan) Day, is celebrated on August 15.
This date commemorates Japan’s acceptance of the Allied demand for unconditional surrender on August 14, 1945.
There was much joy and celebration around the world when on August 15, 1945, US President Harry S Truman declared the day as Victory over Japan Day, at a White House press conference.
Addressing crowds outside the White House, President Truman said: “This is the day we have been waiting for since Pearl Harbor.”
At midnight, the British PM Clement Atlee confirmed the news in a broadcast declaring: “The last of our enemies is laid low.”
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