VJ Day 70th anniversary: Britain remembers, in pictures

Veterans and former prisoners of war will be joined later by the Royal Family at events commemorating the 70th anniversary of VJ Day. Veterans and former prisoners of war will also be present, with the Prime Minister and and other dignitaries.

London’s Metropolitan Police said it would mount ‘a substantial security operation around the day’s events, ‘ including several road closures, amid unconfirmed media reports of terrorist threats targeting the events. Scotland Yard Cmdr. Dave Musker says police have worked closely with the Ministry of Defense and the Royal British Legion to make sure the ceremonies pass peacefully.

After Axis forces in Europe and North Africa surrendered on May 8, 1945, following the Russia’s invasion of Berlin and Hitler’s suicide, the Japanese Imperial forces continued to wage war in the Pacific theater.

Pauline Simpson, an organiser of the events from the National FEPOW Fellowship Welfare Remembrance Association, said of the day: “I think it’s very important to the veterans because they feel that they’ve been treated as the forgotten army”.

The day of August 15 was celebrated as Victory over Japan Day.

Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki forced the Japanese to surrender, ending the Second World War.

London • Veterans wearing medals, some in wheelchairs festooned with the Union flag, paraded through central London on Saturday to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory over Japan and the end of World War II. “And they didn’t start returning home until three or four months later”.

He said he would be attending the service in London to “remember those prisoners of war and all those that died and gave their lives”, and would then be parading this afternoon “to celebrate the fact that we survived and got back home”. At the age of 18 joined the army and sailed from Liverpool to India.

“The war in the Far East saw countless acts of selfless courage, many of which will never be known or told, and today’s events are a chance to pay tribute to all those who served”.

He added: “I do think we should play down the fears”.

“I think it is hugely important that we remember this anniversary because thousands of people died, thousands of people suffered appalling injuries and torture during this conflict, and it’s right that we thank them, it’s right that we recognise they suffered for our freedoms”, said British Prime Minister David Cameron.