At midnight B.S.T. on the night of August 14th – 15th, 1945, the Prime Minister, Mr Clement R. Attlee, broadcast the news in the message given below, that Japan has surrendered. The newly elected House of Commons assembled for the first time next day, August 15th to listen to the King’s speech.
Mr Attlee, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, announces the end of the Second Great War, August 14th 1945.
Japan has today surrendered. The last of our enemies is laid low. Here is the text of the Japanese reply to the allied demands.
“With reference to the announcement of August 10th regarding the acceptance of the provision of the Potsdam declaration and the reply of the Governments of the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and China sent by Secretary of State Byrnes on the date of August 11th, the Japanese Government has the honour to communicate to the Governments of the four Powers as follows”.
1.His Majesty the Emperor has issued an Imperial Rescript regarding Japan’s acceptance of the provisions of the Potsdam declaration.
2.His Majesty the Emperor is prepared to authorize and insure the signature by his Government and the Imperial General Headquarters of the necessary terms for carrying out the provisions of the Potsdam declaration.
3.His Majesty is also prepared to issue commands to the military, naval, and air forces of Japan, and all forces under their control wherever they may be found, to cease all active operations, relinquish all arms, and obey all commands of the allied forces in accordance with the above terms.
(Signed) “TOGO”.
Let us recall that on December 7th 1941, Japan whose onslaught China had already resisted for over four years, fell upon the United States of America, who were then not at war, and upon ourselves, who were sorely pressed in our death struggles with Germany and Italy. Taking full advantage of surprise and treachery, Japan forces quickly overran the territory of ourselves and our allies in the Far East, and at one time it appeared as though they might invade the mainland of Australia and advance into India.
But the tide turned, first slowly and then with ever increasing speed and violence the mighty forces of the United States and the British Commonwealth and the Empire and all their allies, and finally of Russia, were brought to bear. Their resistance has every where now been broken.
At this time we should pay tribute to the men of this country, from Dominions, from India, and the Colonies, to our fleets, armies, and air forces that have fought so well in the arduous campaign, against Japan. Our gratitude goes out to all our splendid allies…
We also think especially of the prisoners in Japanese hands, of our friends… in Burma and in those colonial territories upon whom the brunt of the Japanese attack fell. We rejoice that their sufferings will soon be at an end….
Here at home you have earned a short rest, I have no doubt that tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday will everywhere be treated as days of holiday….Let all who can relax and enjoy themselves…. Peace has come again come to the world.
The King’s Speech at the Opening of the 38th Parliament of the United Kingdom, August 15th 1945.
The surrender of Japan has brought to an end six years of warfare which has caused untold loss and misery to the world… It is the firm purpose of My Government to work in the closest co- operation with the Governments of My Dominions and in concert - with all peace loving peoples to attain a world of freedom, peace and social justice so that the sacrifices of the war shall not have been in vain.
It has given Me special pleasure to meet the President of the United States on his brief visit to My country after the Conference at Berlin. I have also been glad to express the gratitude of this country to the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force for his inspiring leadership.
My Forces in Europe continue to discharge the duties entailed in the occupation of enemy countries and the repatriation of the many thousands of persons who were deported from their homes by the enemy. My Navy, aided by the Navies of My Allies, is clearing the seas of mines.
In the Far East My Ministers will make it their most immediate concern to ensure that all prisoners in Japanese hands are cared for and returned to their homes...
My Government will continue the orderly release of men and women from the Armed Forces… The arrangements already in operation for the resettlement in civil life of men and women released from the Forces and from war work will be continued and, where necessary, expanded...
My Government will take up with energy the tasks of reconverting industry from the purposes of war to those of peace, of expanding our export trade, and of securing by suitable control or by an extension of public ownership that our industries and services shall make their maximum contribution to the national well being. The orderly solution of these difficult problems will require from all My people efforts comparable in intensity and public spirit to those which have brought us victory…
A measure will be laid before you to bring the Bank of England under public ownership. A Bill will also be laid before you to nationalize the coal mining industry. My Ministers will organize the resources of the building and manufacturing industries in the most effective way to meet the housing and other essential building requirements of the nation. They will also lay before you proposals to promote the best use of land in the national interest.
You will be asked to approve measures, to provide a comprehensive scheme of insurance against industrial injuries, to extend and improve the existing scheme of social insurance and to establish a national health service.
My Ministers will develop to the fullest possible extent the home production of good food, and they will keep in being and extend the new food services for the workers and for mothers and children established during the war…
