The Maitland Mercury, in the NSW Hunter region, is one of Australia's oldest regional newspapers, and when the Second World war ended it had already been in existence for more than 100 years.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Here, on the front page of August 15, 1945, under the headline END OF THE JAPANESE WAR, is how the Mercury reported the story.
Second headline: 'Enemy surrenders unconditionally'
Third headline: Dramatic news flashed from three capitals
Japan has surrendered unconditionally.
The dramatic announcement, which the world has been feverishly awaiting since last Friday, was flashed simultaneously from London, Washington and Moscow.
President Truman also announced that General MacArthur has been appointed Allied commander to receive the surrender.
He said that Britain, Russia and China will be represented by high-ranking officers.
In the meantime Allied armed forces have been ordered to suspend offensive action.
The proclamation of V-J Day (Victory Japan Day) must await on official signing of surrender terms by Japan.
READ MORE:
President Truman declared that Emperor Hirohito pledged surrender on the terms laid down by the "Big Three" at Potsdam.
"I deem this reply full acceptance of the Potsdam declaration which specified unconditional surrender of Japan," said the president.
"In this reply there is no qualification. Arrangements are now being made for the formal signing of the terms of surrender at the earliest possible moment."
President Truman also disclosed the Japanese Emperor is prepared to leave a command to all military, naval and air authorities and Japanese forces, wherever located, to cease operations and surrender their arms.
Mr Truman directed the Secretary of State (Mr Byrnes) to send through the Swiss Government the following message to the Japanese Government:
You are to proceed as follows.
"First, direct prompt cessation of hostilities by Japanese forces, informing the Supreme Commander for Allied powers of the effective date and hour of each cessation.
"Secondly, send emissaries at once to the Supreme Commander for Allied powers with information of the disposition of Japanese forces and commandeers, and fully empowered to make any arrangements directed by the Supreme Commander of Allied powers to enable him and his accompanying forced to arrive at the place designated by him to receive formal surrender.
"Thirdly, for the purpose of receiving such surrender and carrying of it into effect, the General of the Army, General MacArthur, has been designated as Supreme Commander of Allied powers, and he will notify the Japanese Government of the time, place and other details of the formal surrender."
And here is a secondary story on how Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley reported the news to his fellow Australians.
Mercuy front page, August 25, 1945
Headline: Mr Chifley announces war's end
"The war is over," the Prime Minister, Mr Chifley said in a national speech beginning at 9.30am.
"The Japanese Government has accepted the terms of surrender imposed by the Allied nations. Hostilities will now cease. The reply by the Japanese Government to the United Nations, Britain, the United States, UUSR and China has been received and accepted."
After offering thanks to God for victory, Mr Chifley, went on to pay tribute to the men and women in the fighting services, and particularly to those who had lost their lives and their relatives.
"Let us remember those whose lives were given that we might enjoy this glorious moment and may look forward to the peace which they have won for us," said the Prime Minister. "Let us remember those whose thoughts with proud sorrow turn towards gallant loved ones who will not come back."
Paying a tribute on behalf of the Commonwealth to the fighting men of the United Nations "whose gallantry, sacrifices and devotion brought us the victory," Mr Chifley said that Australia's part comparatively in terms of the fighting forces and supplies ranked high and Australian people could justly be proud of everything they had done.
Mr Chifley specially mentioned General MacArthur "with whom we had so much in common and with whom we shared danger when Australia was threatened with invasion."
He added that Australians would feel their happiness tinged with sorrow, that another man, who gave his all, was not spared to be with us today - John Curtin.
Mr Chifley paid warm tribute to Mr Churchill, Generalissimo Stalin, President Roosevelt, and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.
Then he said: "And now our men and women will come home: our fighting men with battle honours thick upon them from every theatre of war.
"Australians stopped the Japanese in their drive south, just as they helped start the first march towards ultimate victory in North Africa. Australians fought in the battles of the air everywhere, and Australian seamen covered every ocean. Now they are coming home to peace which had to be won."
"The United Nations Charter for world organisation is the hope of the world, and Australia has pledged the same activity in making it successful as she showed in the framing of it. Herein Australia there is much to be done," he concluded.
He also paid a tribute to those who had worked in industry to supply men in the field.