A victory for all mankind

George VI's emotional message about historic moment

- BY PAUL ROUTLEDGE

VJ Day celebrates the final, joyous end of the Second World War on August 15, 1945 after six years of conflict that claimed an estimated 70 million lives.

The conflict raged across the globe, embroiling Europe, the Soviet Union, the US, much of Asia and parts of Africa in a life-or-death struggle for civilisation as we know it.

VJ Day closely follows VE (Victory in Europe) Day, which commemorates the downfall of Hitler, and the Allied liberation of the occupied continent.

On this momentous day when all the guns fell silent, George VI made an emotional statement: "From the bottom of my heart I thank my peoples for all they have done, not only for themselves but for mankind."