Victory in the Pacific - 80th Anniversary | Commemorations

Their courage, our peace

Victory in the Pacific Day (15 August) commemorates Japan’s unconditional surrender on that date in 1945, which officially ended World War II (WWII).

Almost one million Australians served in the armed forces during WWII. Many were engaged in the Pacific War (1941-1945) between the Allies and Japan.

Tragically, more than 39,000 Australians died as a result of their service (approx. 17,000 during the Pacific War), some 66,000 were wounded and 30,000 were taken prisoner – around two-thirds of them by Japanese forces. Of those, an estimated 8,000 died in captivity.

On the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific, join us in honouring all who bravely contributed to Australia’s war effort.

Lest we forget.

Sources: Australian War Memorial, State Library of Queensland

Learn more about Victory in the Pacific

15 May 2025

Battle in Balikpapan: Townsville WWII veteran shares his story

Eager to join the Australian Defence Force, then-17-year-old Leslie Sinclair raced to the Army recruitment depot in Townsville after not hearing back from the Navy.

Commemoration

History

01 May 2025

World War II veteran shares his story ahead of 80th Victory in the Pacific Day

Night had fallen over the jungles of northern Papua New Guinea in 1945. Victorian-born Dawson Reimers was on guard duty when he was informed that Japan had formally surrendered to the Allies.

Veteran stories

Victory in the Pacific – 80th anniversary