Japan’s surrender following the detonation of atomic bombs over the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the Second World War. More than 200,000 New Zealanders had served during six long years of war, and more than 11,500 had died.
News of the Japanese surrender arrived in New Zealand at 11 a.m. on 15 August. As with VE Day in May, VJ Day events were regulated by officialdom. Once again the preparations had been considerable, and the celebrations generally ran smoothly.
Sirens sounded immediately, a national ceremony was held, and local celebrations followed. Once more there were parades, bands playing, thanksgiving services, bonfires, dances and community sports meetings, and again there was a two-day public holiday.
In Auckland, where fewer events were organised, people began to enjoy themselves the moment the factory whistle sounded, drinking, dancing and scattering confetti. Then rowdy elements began throwing bottles, windows were smashed and people were hurt. By evening, 51 had been taken to hospital and an estimated 15 tons of glass littered the streets.
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My grandfather was an Army sergeant in the European theatre. He rarely talked about his experiences over there, although he did tell me some stories on his deathbed. It was like he was reliving moments with me in the room. He would end each story with “you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do.” The last time I saw him, I told him goodbye and that I had to get on the road to Chicago to go to work the next day. His response: “you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do”. That was 22 years ago, and every single time I face something I dread or don’t want to face, I hear his voice “you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do”. He had no idea (or maybe he did) of the tremendous gift he gave me that day, because it’s always his voice I hear when I have to plow through something difficult or seemingly insurmountable.
