Victory in the Pacific DAY
< VP DAY
< MATES
Background From a Prisoner of War Camp


A note from the diary of Stan Arneil, A.M. written in Changi prisoner of war camp

 

The diary note above was recorded by Stan Arneil, A.M., while a prisoner of war in Changi, Singapore. You will note that it is written 2 days after the announcement to the world that brought incredible jubilation within Australia. It reads as follows:

17th August, 1945
1945: Since early yesterday afternoon we have been hearing rumours that the war is over, although so far the nips have given us no indication at all. To-night the camp is in a fever heat and everybody is rushing around telling one another that it can't be true. We have our hearts in our mouths but a pray in our heart; it must be true, we know that the day must come some day but after three and a half years P.O.W. misery and hunger, it does not seem right for us to be ever released. Here's hoping.