VJ Day 15th August 1945 - Remembered with Gurkha Contingent

News
Sep 16, 2020
2 min read

On the 15th of August each year Victory over Japan Day is commemorated. The Allied Burma campaign began with the Japanese invasion of Burma on 15th December 1941 and saw the Allies conduct the longest fighting retreat in British military history back up through Burma into India. The advancing Japanese 15th Army was finally halted at the battles of Imphal and Kohima in the early spring and summer of 1944. Mounting casualties, terrible conditions and a severe lack of supplies began to turn the tide of war against the Japanese in Burma and from then on the British 14th Army under General William ‘Bill’ Slim began a reverse of their retreat in the previous years, pushing the Japanese forces back down through Burma until the Japanese surrender was announced on 15th August 1945. The formal Document of Surrender was signed on 2nd September 1945. 45 Battalions of Gurkhas fought during the campaign, involving some 35,000 soldiers. 9 Victoria Crosses were awarded to Gurkha Regiments for actions during the Burma Campaign, including 3 posthumous awards. 3 of these Victoria Crosses were awarded to members of the Second Chindit Operation in 1944. Today we remember the million of Gurkhas Today 15 August 2020 is the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, marking both the surrender of Japan and the end of the Second World War. Today we remember the million who suffered through the war and especially those who lived or fought in the Far East Today we commit ourselves to strive for a better world and stand with our allies in defending the weak and protecting the peace “Pegasus in the Far East the battle of Sangsagk 1944 and the 50th Indian parachute brigade” We remember and recognise all those who served and sacrificed in the Far East and ultimately brought an end to the Second World War.