The world joyfully celebrated and Fermanagh criminals went home

Following Victory in Europe (VE Day) celebrated on May 8, 1945, WWII continued in the Far East and the Pacific.
Man Dancing in Sydney, Australia on VJ DayMan Dancing in Sydney, Australia on VJ Day
Man Dancing in Sydney, Australia on VJ Day

The Allies gave Japan an ultimatum to surrender on July 28, 1945 which was ignored and two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9, the day Soviet forces invaded Manchuria.

The Allies celebrated victory over Japan (VJ Day) on August 15, 1945 in the UK (on different dates in some other countries) although Japan didn’t officially surrender with a signed document until September 2.

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Due to Covid-19 regulations next month’s 75th VJ Day anniversary will be celebrated with radio and TV broadcasts and online events.

Fermanagh Criminals Freed on VJ DayFermanagh Criminals Freed on VJ Day
Fermanagh Criminals Freed on VJ Day

Small, socially-distanced gatherings are being organised around Northern Ireland; please send details of these to [email protected] if you want to spread the news.

Though there’ll be nothing like this - “To mark the occasion of VJ Day,” the Fermanagh Times reported, “Major Dickie RM dismissed all Letterbreen Petty Sessions on Wednesday and Lisnaskea Court on Thursday. ‘You are not going to have peace every day with Japan,’ he said at Letterbreen, ‘all the criminals can go home’”

Thanks to regular-contributor Selwyn Johnston for sourcing today’s newspaper cuttings, including a report about one court case that went ahead, repeatedly, many times over, all over Northern Ireland and around the world.

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Different shapes and sizes of stuffed dummies depicting Admiral Hideki Tojo, the Japanese Prime Minister and military leader at the time of surrender, were paraded through cities, towns and villages, where ad hoc courts were held condemning the Admiral to death.

Military Personnel in Paris Celebrating VJ DayMilitary Personnel in Paris Celebrating VJ Day
Military Personnel in Paris Celebrating VJ Day

Tojo’s effigy was then hanged or burned, usually both. A ‘court sitting’ in Maguiresbridge was reported very colourfully in the Fermanagh Times:

“Admiral Tojo the Japanese Premier at the time of the enemy’s surrender received due punishment (vicatiously) (sic) that his position as executive head of an aggressor and Axis nation warranted.

“In short, he was carried through the street (in effigy) and, having been solemnly condemned to death, was hanged and burned. Then, with a bonfire to add to the blaze from Tojo’s burning effigy, the people of Maguiresbridge proceeded to enjoy themselves in the open until a late hour.” Reporting from County Tyrone under the headline ‘Fivemiletown Goes Gay’, The Impartial Reporter declared that August 15 thoroughly eclipsed May’s VE Day celebrations.

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“Never were scenes of so much enthusiasm witnessed in Fivemiletown when VJ Day was celebrated.

King George VI and British PM Clement Attlee (left), July 1945King George VI and British PM Clement Attlee (left), July 1945
King George VI and British PM Clement Attlee (left), July 1945

“The villagers and people from the surrounding districts gave themselves up to a whole day’s jubilation. There were thousands of people, added to the one thousand troops stationed at Blesingbourne.

“The town was decorated, and at night a number of coloured lights added to the festive appearance. In the afternoon there was a thanksgiving service…the hymn singing was accompanied by the Fivemiletown Silver Band.

“In the evening there was a big parade in which eight bands took part.

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“Major General H. De F. Montgomery set alight the huge bonfire amongst much cheering. The military fired rockets. After 11pm the street was jammed with an immense throng, and there was open air dancing to music played by a military orchestra.

Admiral Hideki TojoAdmiral Hideki Tojo
Admiral Hideki Tojo

“In the words of the ‘floral dance’ the boys and girls enjoyed ‘dancing here, dancing there, jigging, jogging everywhere, up and down around the town’. It was a wonderful scene, what enthusiasm. There was a never a night like it in the history of Fivemiletown.”

One of the main features of the celebrations here and throughout the UK was King George VI’s speech, broadcast in more than a few cities, towns and villages on hastily erected loudspeakers.

Hansard noted on August 15, 1945 - “the King being seated on the Throne, and the Commons being at the Bar with their Speaker, His Majesty was pleased to make a most gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, and then retired” - but King George VI also addressed the nation on BBC radio.

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The rest of this page is made up of just some extracts from His speech, which began with a reference to his VE Day announcement.

“Three months have passed since I asked you to join with me in an act of thanksgiving for the defeat of Germany.

“We then rejoiced that peace had returned to Europe, but we knew that a strong and relentless enemy still remained to be conquered in Asia.

“None could then tell how long or how heavy would prove the struggle that still awaited us.

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“Japan has surrendered, so let us join in thanking Almighty God that war has ended throughout the world, and that in every country men may now turn their industry, skill, and science to repairing its frightful devastation and to building prosperity and happiness.

“Our sense of deliverance is overpowering, and with it all, we have a right to feel that we have done our duty.

“I ask you again at this solemn hour to remember all who have laid down their lives, and all who have endured the loss of those they love.

“Remember, too, the sufferings of those who fell into the hands of the enemy, whether as prisoners of war or because their homes had been overrun…from the bottom of my heart I thank my Peoples for all they have done, not only for themselves but for mankind.”

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