75th Anniversary Commemorative Service

Background

At the beginning of 1945, Australians had been at war for over five years. In Europe, the Germans surrendered on 7 May 1945. Australian prisoners of war in European prison camps were liberated and Australian sailors and aircrew began returning home.

This was a war like no other in history, with Australians fighting in theatres of war across the globe from Europe to North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, to Asia and the Pacific, and conflict coming to the Australian mainland for the first time.

The 75th Anniversary Commemorative Service was an opportunity for all Australians to pause, reflect and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of more than 39,000 who lost their lives, the some 30,000 taken as prisoners of war and those who made their contribution in service on the home front.

Broadcast of the Service

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs delivered a televised commemorative service to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War from inside the Australian War Memorial on Saturday, 15 August 2020.

This commemorative service provided an opportunity to recognise and acknowledge those Australians who contributed to the war effort and defended the freedom of nations throughout the Second World War.

The national commemorative service was held on Victory in the Pacific Day, an annual commemoration for which Australians acknowledge that the Second World War was finally over.

Contact information

Department of Veterans' Affairs

• Phone: 1800 838 372 (1800 VETERAN)
• Email: commemorations [at] dva.gov.au (commemorations[at]dva[dot]gov[dot]au)