"Fellow citizens, the war is over."

Few announcements in Australian history have provoked such spontaneous displays of emotion as Prime Minister Ben Chifley’s on 15 August 1945. On that day, Japan announced it would surrender to Allied forces. Victory in Europe had been achieved on 8 May 1945 and Japan’s surrender ended World War II, which had raged for almost six years.

Finally, the war was over and, for Australians at home and those serving abroad, it was a time to rejoice. Australians poured onto the streets, dancing, waving flags and enjoying the freedom for which they and their servicemen and women had sacrificed so much. Those famous scenes of people dancing in the streets still resonate today, epitomising the relief felt by Australians at the end of the war.

Thousands looked forward to the return of their loved ones. But overshadowing the joy was the sombre realisation that this war had seen the loss of 40 000 Australians. There was barely a family not touched by tragedy in some way. As the euphoria died down, Australians marked the war’s end with services and family gatherings, giving thanks for peace and remembering the dead.

Australians serving around the world experienced mixed emotions. They could look forward to returning home, but thoughts turned also to mates who did not live to see peace. In operational areas, troops let off flares during celebrations, or toasted the war’s end from waterbottles or mugs of tea, some staying alert in case of a last minute attack. The 14,000 Australian prisoners of war still alive in Japanese prison camps had to wait longer for their captors to admit the war was over – some died, or were killed, before the news was broken.

For some servicemen and women, the war’s end meant they could start a new life: establish careers, marry and build homes. For others, it meant they could pick up where their civilian life had stopped when they enlisted.

Those who had suffered as prisoners of war or internees, or as a result of their war service, often faced a struggle to recover. The tenacity, spirit and courage of veterans in recovering after the war has been respected and revered by Australians ever since.

VP Day signalled a time of renewed hope and enthusiasm after the dark years of the war. In the months following, Australian servicemen and women returned to Australian shores. Soon, a new wave of immigrants arrived from Europe. Many were veterans themselves, while others had been civilians caught up in the war’s horrors, including the Holocaust. There came also ‘war brides’ who had married Australian servicemen; while others farewelled Australians who sailed for other countries after marrying foreign servicemen.

Some one million Australians served during the World War II; almost 40,000 were killed and 30,000 were taken prisoner